The Sunday Experience
On Sunday you will experience a welcoming and caring community that
gathers in friendship to work on our spiritual growth and to make a
difference in the wider world. Unitarian Universalists are noted for
their openness to new ideas and a diversity of worship experiences, and
the Thoreau UU Congregation is no different.
Our services can vary greatly
from week to week. One week might be a
more traditional sermon, the next might be an earth-centered
celebration of the season. Our minister may lead intergenerational
services,
interactive services and traditional celebrations. We have guest
speakers who range from the minister of a United Methodist African
Church to someone who is representing the Humanist movement. Through
the year we try to reference and honor a variety of belief systems
including Christian, Judism, Pagan, Athiest, Hindu, Muslum, Buddhist,
the Tao and others. Sometimes
the message is more intellectual, sometimes it is spiritual. Our church
leaders feel it is important to have this diversity in our worship
services if we are to meet the challenge of broadening our individual
and collective search for meaning.
Our services start each week at 10:15 am with a call to worship. The
children and youth remain in the sanctuary through the Candles of Joys
and Concerns� and the Conversation with the Children and Youth before
leaving for their Religious Education classes. Most
Sundays we have a brief meditation before the sermon. Music is usually
provided by the Thoreau Choir or one of our two regular musical groups.
Our services end between 11:15 and 11:30.
The Sunday Morning Schedule:
Adult
Discussion
9:00
Sunday
Service
10:15
Children
and Youth Religious Education 10:15
Fellowship
and
Coffee
11:15
Every Sunday we have a collection for a charitable cause. It might be canned goods for the local food bank, items to include in our soldier care packages sent overseas, school supplies for local students from low-income families or toys for children who are spending the holidays in local hospitals. Our children and youth are encouraged to participate in this charitable giving as a learning and growing experience.
Coffee Hour, which immediately follows the service in the Thoreau Fellowship Hall, is a lively affair. There is always plenty of food and conversation. Our Hospitality Committee often plans special celebrations for this social time. These may be a Chili Cook-off in honor of the Houston Rodeo or a baby shower for low-income mothers being served by the county health clinic.
In addition to the Sunday service, TUUC offers other opportunities to enliven our spiritual growth. The Adult Discussion Group is held every Sunday at 9:00. This is an opportunity for sharing ideas, debate and discussion centering around a different topic each week.
We also occasionally offer special classes on topics of interest either before or after the service. In the past these classes have included topics such as The New UU, The Haunting Church, and The Spirituality of Money.
We strive to make our congregation a safe place, and to help one another to learn and grow. We hope that you will join us and find something here that feeds your mind, fills your heart and lifts your spirit.
