Past Services and Events

Past Services and Events

PAST SUNDAY SERVICES

2012

February 2012 Services

Sunday, Feb. 5

Speaker: Robert L. Peake, M.D.

Topic: Euthanasia

Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS). He will review the history and the role of the Christian Church. Will discuss the Netherlands and Oregon where PAS is practiced and review their experiences along with Dr. Jack Kevorkian ( Dr. Death). Review some famous cases and personal and will close with the importance of having a Living Will.

Bob was born and raised in Indiana. Residency in Internal Medicine and 3 yr fellowship in Endocinology and Metabolism at IUMC. Returned to TX in1968 to be on faculty at UTMB in Galveston. Left academia 1983 for 10 yrs of private practice in General Internal Medicine and then returned to UTMB for 5 yrs. Retired 1997 and moved to Lake Livingston.

Married to Karen 1957 and their daughter lives in Austin. Two grandchildren both in College Station.

Enjoys photography and travel, fishing, sailing, bridge and yard work when he has to.

Special music: Duet by Asia Gillespie & Kelli Amick.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Speaker: James Moore

Topic: Just Help: A Mission of Love

With Valentine’s Day this month, many people immediately think of the loved ones closest to them, whether spouse, parent, or child. But what does it mean when Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The congregants of Thoreau Woods believe that we are not simply a society of ideals and principles, but a community called to action, based on the struggle to love one another, and Just Help.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Speaker: Ervin Boehm

Topic: The Necessity of Virtue

Mr. Boehm will be presenting a sermon written and preached by Rev. Galen Guengerich at All Souls Unitarian in NYC on November 8, 2009. His sermon is a precursor to his eight part series on virtue that the Rev. presented at the 2010 General Assembly in Minneapolis. Ervin Carl Boehm was born 9/1/51 in Milwaukee, WI. After his father’s death in 1963, he moved with his mother to Hot Springs, AR. He graduated from high school there in 1969, the same school as Bill Clinton. He got his BSBA degree with a major in General Business from Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, AR in 1973, and got a BA degree with a major in art and minor in Sociology in 2004 from SFA in Nacogdoches. He has worked in retail, hospitality, newspaper, and the printing industry. He has lived in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Texas, West Virginia, and Alabama, and currently lives in Lufkin. He has officially been a UU since 2000 but was a UU without really knowing it almost his whole life.

Sunday, Feb. 26 Speaker: Jimmy Satterfield Topic: God Helped Me Find Love in the Former Soviet Union

There will be a potluck following the service.

Looking for love in all the wrong places seldom leads to a successful marriage. Letting God take charge led to finding love in one of the most unsuspecting venues – in the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan.

Since taking early retirement from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 1994, James (Jimmy) Satterfield has worked and lived in over a dozen foreign countries – primarily former Soviet Union Republics or Soviet aligned bloc countries including Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Republic of Georgia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as well as in Iraq, Indonesia, Kenya and Sudan.

Born in Jackson and raised in Meridian, Mississippi, after High School he served 8 years in the U.S. Army. Jimmy then went to work for Philco-Ford Corporation in 1966 as an Electronics Engineer on a remote Air Force Early Warning Radar site in Alaska before being transferred to Houston in 1967 to work at NASA during the Apollo program. While at NASA, he also acquired a BBA degree in Accounting in 1972 from the University of Houston and subsequently a CPA license from the State of Virginia.

Upon leaving NASA in 1972, he worked for a Cable TV Construction company managing construction projects across the USA before joining the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) as a Bank Examiner in 1976. During his banking career he progressed to and held senior level management positions in the private sector and Federal Banking Regulatory agencies at various locations including Texas, Louisiana and Washington, D.C. Now semi-retired, Jimmy enjoys staying busy as a “Meals on Wheels” volunteer, online study courses, golf, travel and with his beautiful wife, Natasha, and family of 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

January Services

January 1, 2012 – Beth Williamson is planning to open the building. The group will sing a few songs, and then go to Golden Corral for lunch. No RE for children.

January 8, 2012 – Dr. Alan Clune, Dept. of Psychology & Philosophy, SHSU, “What Philosophers Say About Animals and Ethics”. The talk will cover three ethical theories that have been employed to answer the question of the moral status of animals. The contractarian theory concludes that animals have no moral status. The utilitarian theory concludes that the moral status of animals is a function of their ability to suffer. The rights theory concludes that the moral status of animals is a function of their autonomy.

Dr. Clune grew up in Rhode Island, went to Mt. St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket RI, received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts in 1988, received his M.S. in Philosophy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York in 1992, and received his Ph.D. Philosophy from The State University of New York at Buffalo in 2000. He has taught at Buffalo State University of New York College, Fredonia College Misericordia in PA, and SHSU 2004 to present.

January 15, 2012 – Dr. Marsha Harman, Director, Professional and Academic Center for Excellence (PACE) SHSU, “Bullying: It Doesn't Happen to Just Children and Adolescents”

As might be expected, individuals who bully others in younger years may grow up to be adult bullies, especially if there were no interventions or consequences for the behavior in younger years. You might meet adult bullies in college, the workplace, in church or other social groups, PTA, sports groups, in your neighborhood or even in your extended family. Through strategic actions, an individual is able to lessen the impact of bullying, which for some is devastating.

Marsha Harman was born in Houston, Texas; graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, for two years before transferring to University of Houston where she graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. She taught in Houston I.S.D. and Coldspring-Oakhurst Consolidated I.S.D. She received her M.Ed. in Counseling Education from Sam Houston State University in 1983 and worked for a few years as a school counselor in Coldspring. She obtained her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Houston in 1991. She completed her internship at Montana State University’s Counseling Center in Bozeman, Montana. She briefly worked at Lamar University before moving to Sam Houston State University in 1992 as Assistant Director of Counseling Services. She later had a dual teaching appointment in Curriculum & Instruction and Psychology. In 2000, she became a Professor of Psychology. Currently, she is reassigned to Director of the Professional and Academic Center for Excellence (PACE) and Director of Assessment.

January 22, 2012 – James Moore, Pam Johnson, Linda Parks, Beth Williamson, and Marcus Gillespie “The Five Smooth Stones of James Luther Adams”. The stones are A Living Tradition, Freedom in Relations, A Just and Loving Community, Good Works, and Hope for the Future.

January 29, 2012 – Melissa Templeton “Anthony DeMello”. Fr. Tony de Mello was the director of the Sadhana Institute of Pastoral Counseling near Poona, India. Author of five best-selling books, renowned worldwide for his workshops, retreats, and prayer courses, he aimed simply to teach people how to WAKE UP AND LIVE. People need to wake up, open up their eyes, see what is real, both inside and outside of themselves. The greatest human gift is to be aware, to be in touch with oneself, one's body, mind, feelings, thoughts, sensations. Melissa is a member of the church. She is an LPC/LMFT in private practice, and is adjunct faculty at SHSU.

2011

December Services

December 4, 2011 – Rev. John Pepper

“Life IS A MIRACLE!” - This is the season for celebrating a miraculous birth. It may not have been miraculous according to some traditional claims, but it and all births are miraculous nonetheless. Please join me as I celebrate the fact that all of life IS A MIRACLE!

December 11, 2011 – Judy Shofner

"I can't believe I'm Agnostic: One woman's search for answers". It's really about my story from mainstream Southern Baptist life to an open search for meaning and how that search led me to the concept of agnosticism. Judy Shofner was born and raised in Southeast Texas. She's had several careers from insurance to museum work and currently is in her 3rd "incarnation as a counselor . After studying History at Larmar University Pt Arthur, she received her BA in History and Museum Studies from Baylor University in 1996. Judy moved to Huntsville, Texas in 2007 to attend SHSU. She received a Masters in Counseling in 2009 and has since worked at Huntsville Memorial Hospital's Outpatient Counseling Dept. She refers to herself as a "recovering Southern Baptist" and currently most identifies as agnostic.

December 18, 2011 – Marcus Gillespie

“The Evidence for Climate Change and Its Impacts”

Marcus' talk will focus on the evidence and potential consequences of climate change as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other organizations. Consequences include sea level rise, increases in the frequency of severe weather, loss of biodiversity, and possible political instability - among many others. An awareness of these potential issues, some of which are already occurring, is important in making informed decisions about energy policies."

Dr. Marcus Gillespie attended SHSU as an undergraduate, and obtained degrees in both Earth Science Education and Psychology. After teaching at the secondary level for two years, he returned to school and completed his Masters degree in Geography at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and his Ph.D. in Geography at Texas A&M. He is now an Associate Professor of Geography at Sam Houston State University, and an Associate Dean in the College of Sciences. He served as Chair of the Department of Geography and Geology at Northwest Missouri State University for two years and as Chair of the Department of Geography and Geology at SHSU for 5 years. He currently teaches Weather and climate and a course on the nature of science and critical thinking – among others. He is married to his wonderful wife Nisa, who is from Thailand, and they have two children, Aaron and Asia. He has always had a strong interest in the impacts of human activities on the natural world, especially the impacts of climate change – the topic of his talk.

December 25, 2011 – Merry Christmas! James Moore is planning to open the building. The group can sing a few songs, and then go to lunch. Golden Corral will be open on Dec. 25. No RE for children.

November Services

November 6, 2011 – Rev. John Pepper

“Fundamentally Fundamentalism”

What exactly is Fundamentalism? Actually responding to that question would take far more time than typically allowed in a normal sermon. So instead I’ll simply explore some aspects of a common belief system that crosses many different religions.

November 13, 2011 – Carol Turner

" Findhorn: World's Largest Ecovillage"

Findhorn, in northern Scotland, was the first and remains the largest ecovillage. Its carbon footprint is the smallest in the developed world. It was formed based on spiritual messages given and is a model for a community demonstrating love in action.

Carol C. Turner is a native of Houston where she completed her BA in Biology at Rice University. She has an MA in the Foundations of Education and diplomas in 3 levels for Montessori Education. She taught and administrated schools in Houston, Galveston and San Miguel de Allende, where she resides most of the year.

November 20, 2011 – Tony Di’Nuzzo

“The Music and Sprit of John Lennon”

John Lennon made some outrageous, often controversial quotes and comments about religion. I recall the outcry of Lennon stating the Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus.' But what was this all about? How was John Lennon’s 'spiritual message' misinterpreted - or was it? He is a vivid example of an attitude toward faith that has gained power in the decades since his death. Lennon was "spiritual," but not "religious" before that stance became all too common. Through the power of his songs and quotes, this service will explore Lennon's life, defined by symbolic moments and raw feelings of love, peace - a man who was almost too honest about his doubts and his beliefs.

Tony DiNuzzo was born in the Bronx, New York and now calls Galveston his home. He is a long time member of the UU Fellowship of Galveston County and a past president of the Board. He has two amazing children, David and Elise, raised in the UU tradition. He is a professor of Geriatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch and enjoys songwriting and plucking his guitar.

November 27, 2011 – Richard Lane

"Moments of transcendence and the Haiku masters"

Skillful translation of haiku and other forms of Japanese short poems and prose allow us moments of deep connection to nature. We are able to capture eternal, timeless moments. We experience the delicate, the sublime, the transcendent qualities of eastern awareness. We explore a culture that is foreign to our expectations. All of this is captured in the briefest wisps of language, yet we know very little of the remarkable poets who dedicated their lives to their art. Let us examine the lives of four of the masters of the genre. Let us, for a few minutes, peek into the lives and writings of Basho, Buson, Issa and Shiki.

Richard grew up in far West Texas near the New Mexico state line. He graduated from Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico although he lived a half of a mile from the state line in Anthony, Texas. He served in the United States Navy. Upon his discharge he returned to the University of Texas at El Paso and graduated in 1974. While in the Navy, he served aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown. The Yorktown was the pickup ship for Apollo 8. He has been employed by the Huntsville Public Library for the past 11 and a half years. He has enjoyed his work at the library. In 2008 he was the recipient of the Lulac Citizen of the Year for his work as Literacy Coordinator. He is the father of three sons and 2 grandsons, and lives in Crabbs Prairie with his companion Denise Pharries and their 3 cats.

Following the program on 11/27, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring food to share and take any leftovers home.

OCTOBER 2011 SERVICES

October 2, 2011 – Rev. John Pepper

“9/11 Remembered” - Just a month after the 10th anniversary of the tragic events in New York, Washington, DC and in a field in Pennsylvania, please join me as we reflect on these events and attempt to focus on the positive ways many individuals attempted to put these events behind them.

October 9, 2011 – Ervin Boehm

"Unitarian Universalist General Assembly 2011: The 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the UUA (Charlotte NC)". Ervin Carl Boehm was born 9/1/51 in Milwaukee, WI. After his father’s death in 1963, he moved with his mother to Hot Springs, AR. He graduated from high school there in 1969, the same school as Bill Clinton. He got his BSBA degree with a major in General Business from Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, AR in 1973, and got a BA degree with a major in art and minor in Sociology in 2004 from SFA in Nacogdoches. He has worked in retail, hospitality, newspaper, and the printing industry. He has lived in Wisconsin, Arkansas, Texas, West Virginia, and Alabama, and currently lives in Lufkin. He has officially been a UU since 2000 but was a UU without really knowing it almost his whole life.

October 16, 2011 – Steve Brooks

"For the Sake of the Song: Songwriting as a Spiritual Path.” Where do songwriters get their inspirations? How is songwriting like meditation or prayer? Austin Folksinger and UU Steve Brooks answers these questions and more, while unearthing the hidden link between Oedipus Rex and Mama Tried. He illustrates his ideas with songs by himself and the patron saint of Texas songwriters, Townes Van Zandt."

October 23, 2011 – Rev. John Pepper

“The Choices We Make” – Freedom is a double-edged sword. When one is truly free, one is free to do something or do nothing and with either action, there are outcomes. There are no guarantees what those outcomes will be but when we limit our actions, the ultimate outcomes almost become preordained. Namaste! Rev. John Pepper.

Following the program on 10/23, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring food to share and take any leftovers home.

October 30, 2011 – Phil Jones

“Accessing the Point of Love and Self Empowerment”. He will speak about how Breath, Ancient Sound and Harmonics access deep states of conscious connection with ALL THAT IS.

Following the program on 10/30, Phil will return for a didgeridoo workshop. Details in the October newsletter.

September 2011 Services

September 4, John Pepper, Minister, presiding

“Got Spirit?” – Spirit is everywhere, or something I like to think of as spirit. Please join with me as I reflect on the possibility of spirit in our midst and how that spirit has positively affected many in the world. – Rev. John Pepper

September 11, 2011 – Pam Johnson

“Sensory Awareness” Using and improving the senses to enjoy life more fully, reviving our capacity to be more fully in the here-and-now, becoming more awake and alive in what we do, and being more aware of the senses' connection to our thoughts and emotions. Pam has been a member of the church for 17 years, and a lifelong UU. She has a private psychotherapy practice and is married to James Johnson, a music teacher. They have three married daughters and seven grandchildren.

September 18, 2011 – Ken Hendrickson

“Science and God’s Space” - The rise and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the West has changed the space God occupies and thus our description and expectations of God. Dr. Hendrickson is on the History faculty at SHSU, having joined the university in 1994. He received both his BA and MA degrees from Texas A&M University and his PhD from the University of Iowa. In addition to his vocation as a historian, he loves farming and the outdoors. He and his wife, Kerrie, raise their seven children near New Waverly.

September 25, John Pepper, Minister, presiding

September 25, 2011 – “The Trouble with Paul” – The Apostle Paul is one of the most revered and despised men in all of Christianity. Some even refer to aspects of Christianity as Pauline Christianity. Unfortunately, much of what we attribute to Paul was probably not written by him and the part not written often contains the most troubling aspects of Pauline doctrine. Please join me as I reflect on Paul and his life and writings in this the third in a series of sermons based on books jointly authored by John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. – Rev. John Pepper

A potluck lunch will follow the September 25 service

August 2011 Services

August 1, John Pepper, Minister, presiding

Sermon: "Getting Lost Along the Way"

One of the definitions of “Sin” is “Missing the Mark.” We are all on this

trajectory we call life and sometimes, while we are on our own individual

journeys, we get lost along the way. When getting lost becomes conscious

and intentional and when we choose options for our lives that do not reflect our

higher selves, that is when we truly “miss the mark.” Please join me as I share

personal reflections on my own journey and how I have “missed the mark”

along with reflections on society as a whole.

August 14, Imam Zakee Abdurrahim, guest speaker

Title of Talk: “The Evolution of Islam in the West”

August 21, Bob Peake, guest speaker

Title of Talk: “Paul Tillich - 20th Century Theologian”

August 28, John Pepper, Minister, presiding

Sermon: "Honoring Our Teachers"

You've heard 'you are what you eat,' well I believe 'you are what you are

taught and choose to learn.' This sermon is actually a retooling of the very first

sermon I ever gave. I hope you will indulge me.

A potluck lunch will follow the August 28th service

July 2011 Services

July 3: Our Minister: John Pepper

Title of Program: "The Sunday Morning Good News with John Pepper"

This is my second in this series of sermons. There is a lot of good news out there and from time to time we need to focus on the positive. This sermon just before July 4th will celebrate the ongoing Good News in the World and our own Freedom of Religion. Please join us. - Rev. John Pepper

July 10: Guest Speaker: Thoreau Woods UU Member Marcus Gillespie

Title of Program: "Last Child in the Woods: the Problem of Nature-Deficit Disorder"

July 17: Guest Speaker: Sandra Stackhouse

Title of Program: The Legacy of Abraham A. Low: Recovery International

July 24: Our Minister: John Pepper

Title of Program: "The Evolution of Marriage"

Marriage has changed over the years and it will continue to change in the future. Please join me as I share some of the history of marriage. - Rev. John Pepper

Following the program on July 24, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring food to share and take any leftovers home.

July 31: Guest Speaker: Thoreau Woods UU Member Anne True

Title of Program: The Message of the Prophets

June 2011 Services

June 5: Guest Speaker: Colin Stebbing

Title of Program: Theosophy and the Origins, Purpose and Development of the Liberal Catholic Church

Colin will give a short history of the Liberal Catholic Church, explain its roots in the Theosophical Society and its pioneering contribution to worshippers in combining the sacramental and ceremonial aspects of the Roman Catholic Church with freedom of belief. Colin is an independent Liberal Catholic priest, member of the Theosophical Society, and former English lawyer, who married a Texan and moved from Liverpool, England to Huntsville.

June 12: Guest Speaker: Richard Lane

Title of Program: Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Transcendentalism, and our U.U. principles

Richard will discuss Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist, lecturer, and poet, who is known as the father of American Transcendentalism. We will examine Unitarian Universalist Purposes and Principles to see if we can find a link to Emerson’s philosophy.

June 19: Guest Speaker: President James Moore

Title of Program: The Value of God

Happy Father's Day!

A message from our President:

As I quickly approach fatherhood this summer, June 19 will be my first Father’s Day to feel like I am being honored as well. Being a father is something much more meaningful than simple biology. A true father is a caregiver, not just a donor of genetic material. It makes some sense, then, that many people think of God as an elderly male. I tend to avoid anthropomorphizing God as Father, the bearded overseer of all. Just as illogical to me is the concept of Mother Earth, carrying us in this planetary womb. And yet these images of the Divine Mystery are very comforting and more accessible than a disembodied Oversoul, the term Emerson used for the Creator. Sometimes we need the imagery of God the Father and Goddess the Mother, our celestial caregivers watching over us as we turn, turn, turn into eternity.

James Moore

June 26: Guest Speaker: Mike Yawn

Title of Program: Four Hundred Years of the King James Bible

In May 1611 the King James Bible was published. Mike will discuss how this book has affected the lives of people in the English-speaking world.

Following the program on June 26, we will have a potluck luncheon. Please bring food to share and take any leftovers home. We will also be having a kitchen shower for our new church kitchen. We are in the registry at Wal-Mart in Huntsville.

Attached is the invitation and registry information for our kitchen shower taking place on June 26th. There is a list of items needed as well as an official registry at Walmart. There is a link for the Walmart registry at the top of the list of items needed. With the exception of the plates and utensils which we want to have match, the items on the registry are suggestions of what we need. If you have already purchased an item or wish to buy a similar item at Walmart or another store please let me know when you have and I will mark it as purchased on the registry so we can do our best to avoid duplication. The Facility Management committee is doing its best to create a functioning kitchen that can be used to help feed not only our family and friends but the community as well. With your help we can reach that goal. We hope to see you there!
Invitation to Kitchen Shower

MAY 2011 SERVICES

Sunday, May 1, 2011 John Pepper "Forgotten Voices" in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Forgotten Voices – Recently some people have claimed that the Holocaust never happened, which is often called “Holocaust Denial.” So that none of the victims’ collective voices will ever be forgotten or the causes of their deaths falsely denied, this service on May 1st, which is Holocaust Remembrance Day, will be dedicated to some of the people who survived and were able to give first-hand accounts of the Holocaust. On June 14, 1940 Polish political prisoners became the first residents of the Auschwitz concentration camp and on that same day in 1942 Anne Frank began writing her now famous diary. Tragically the Jews were not the only ones who were persecuted and killed in the concentration camps. The Nazis also inflicted those same horrors on homosexuals, gypsies, and the physically impaired. From time to time, we need to hear some of their voices so that they will not be forgotten. - Rev. John Pepper

Sunday, May 8 Sharon Marx "Motherhood"

Sunday, May 15 Michael Savage "Diamond Way Buddhism" This will be a brief explanation of the vastness of Buddhist teachings and Buddhism's various schools.

Sunday, May 22 Bill Taylor "One Man's Path" This will be a discussion of the development of Bill's spirituality. After the service there will be a potluck and meeting.

Sunday, May 29 Amber Faust "Our Common Ground" This talk will cover some of the basic principles and practices that unite many different faiths in our quest for peaceful co-existence.

April 3: Rev. John Pepper

John will celebrate Justice Sunday with the sermon "Partners in Justice".

April 10 - Bob Peake will speak on The Gnostic Gospels.

April 17 - Congregational President James Moore

Title of Program: The New Horizons Program

Small Groups discuss "Our shared covenant and vision" for our church.

April 24: Rev. John Pepper

Easter Flower Communion

"Don't Sacrifice the Good for the Perfect"

What is "perfect" anyway? I believe we inherit our societal penchant for "perfection" from Christianity and that was probably due to a mistranslation. This one poor translation set the stage for almost countless theological doctrines, primarily the doctrines of salvation, and possibly our universal expectation for perfection in almost every area of our lives - our jobs, our sports, and often our

appearances. Please join me as I explore this very difficult concept and theological proposition.

Immediately following the service there will be a pot luck, and a brief Q&A regarding the possible donation of land to the church.

There will be an Easter Egg hunt for the children.

March 6

John Pepper, Minister

Sermon: "The Divine in All of Us – Namaste!" The Hindu tradition originated in India but not as the Hindu Religion. Originally the people who lived in what we now call India were small groups of people scattered all across the country each worshipping their own god or gods. Eventually what is now known as the Hindu religion came to define these various concepts of the divine. Please join me as I explore this fascinating and diverse religious tradition.

March 13

Guest Speaker: Matt Jackson

Title of Talk: Superheroes: A Modern Pantheon

March 20

Guest Presenters: The Tim and Bob Show

Title of Program: A Joyful Noise

March 27

John Pepper, Minister

"The Business of the Church" – What exactly is the business of the church? In my opinion, a church is clearly not a business but what exactly is it? What does it represent for the members of the congregation? Please join me as I explore these and other related topics. I have some very definite opinions and I hope you will indulge me while I express them. At the end of the day, they are only MY opinions, but there may be some ideas you can explore as you grow and build YOUR Church.

Feb. 6, 2011 - John Pepper, minister

"Where's the Love?" - This year if you happen to forget Valentine's Day you won't have an excuse. This sermon will be all about love and I'll remind you about Valentine's Day. And by the way, if a Church isn't about "Love" what is the point?

February 13 - Guest Speaker: Tony DiNuzzo

Title of Talk: "Is There Enough Love in This World?"

February 20 - Guest Speaker: Karen Peake

Title of Talk: "On Being a Crowd. . .A Prairie Fire

. . .A Church Choir. . . A Major Note in a Dominant Chord"

Febuary 27 - John Pepper, minister, presiding

"Federal Government 101 - How it Works!" - I recently responded to a UU World magazine article titled "Dinner with Monsanto." The article's premise was that we can reason with corporations and they will change. My response argued for a different approach - use our own governmental processes to affect positive, ethical changes. The problem is, I'm not sure the average person who is distant from the day-to-day operations of the government realizes how it works. Since I work in the government, I will attempt to share the little I understand. And my response to the UU World article was a Theological Response. My sermon will be as well.

Sun, Jan 2: A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place, Rev. John Pepper

Sometimes UUs are a little anxious about religious rituals. But going to church on Sunday morning is a ritual. As the New Year begins, let’s talk about rituals and their potential worth to us as a part of a community and share in a new one.

Sunday, Jan. 9: Dr. Marcus Gillespie, associate professor of geography at SHSU will speak on "The Wonder of the Universe"

Sunday, Jan. 16: Beth Williamson, retired instructor of English and Spanish at SHSU will speak on "Joseph Priestley (1733-1804): Scientist and Unitarian Minister"

Sun, Jan 23: The Spiritual Discipline, Rev. John Pepper

If you want to learn to play the piano, you have to be disciplined with your practice. Similarly, down through the centuries religious practitioners have devised many creative ways to help in the attempt to connect with divine, whatever they believe that to be. Please join me as I share a little about the different spiritual disciplines available to you. One might be just right for you.

Sunday, Jan. 30: Dr. Matthew Rowe, professor of biology at SHSU. Title: The Extinction Crisis: Why Should We Care?

2010

Sun, Dec 26: There will not be Religous Education or a formal service. Participants will sing Christmas carols. Lunch afterwards at Golden Corral.

Sun, Dec 19: James Moore spoke on the subject of ethical eating. Born and raised in Houston, TX, James (J.K.) Moore has lived in Huntsville since 2008, and attended the Unitarian Universalist church there (now Thoreau Woods) during that period. This was the first religious organization that he ever joined, finding it through an online search engine. As the coordinator of the English Language Institute at Sam Houston State University since 2008, James has interacted with a wide variety of people from cultures around the world. Currently studying for his Master’s in Education, James looks forward to continuing as an active member of the campus community as well as President of Thoreau Woods UU Church.

We are what we eat. Food goes into our bodies and affects our health, but our dining choices can also impact the people and environment worldwide. Our UU faith and principles lead us to examine how to make food selections that are supportive of the interdependent web of which we are a part. To help member congregations develop more ethical eating habits in the community, the Unitarian Universalist Association published the following guide, which forms the basis of this presentation - http://www.uua.org/documents/washingtonoffice/ethicaleating/studyguide.pdf.

Sun, Dec 12: Nelson Thompson of League City, TX was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday. The title of his talk is "The Origin of Charles Darwin's Theory."

"Many folks claim to disbelieve in evolution. But largely this is because they have no idea regarding what Darwin actually said. I'll make it clear what he actually said and from where he got his theory of evolution. I'll also make it clear what Darwin did not say," Thompson said.

Thompson was born in Russellville, Alabama in 1946; and his mother, Alice Thompson, still lives there. At the age of five he survived polio, a disease that killed or crippled tens of thousands of children each year until the Salk vaccine was developed.

Thompson attended the University of Alabama where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1969. He then enrolled at Mississippi State Univerisity where he studied computer science for three years. Next he worked for Texas Instruments in Dallas for five years. Thompson then moved to Houston where he worked for six different NASA contractors and for the Baylor College of Medicine. From 2007 to 2010 he worked as a senior risk analyst for the SAIC company in Houston.

Thompson and his wife, Gwen, live in League City. His mother-in-law is Becky Skidmore of Huntsville.

Sun, Dec 5: "The First Christmas" - Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan wrote a fascinating book with the same title as this worship service. Many of their ideas and conclusions are truly worth sharing. They may also help us refocus our energies on ideals still relevant for us today. Please join me as I reflect on the First Christmas during our own current Christmas Season. Namaste and Merry Christmas! --John Pepper

At a short congregational meeting after the service, members will vote on two options of fabric covers for chairs for the sanctuary.

A potluck lunch will also be held after the service. Bring a covered dish and join us. After the potluck we will decorate the sanctuary for Christmas.

Sun, Nov 28: Guests At Your Table – Each year the UUSC sponsors their “Guest at Your Table” program, their largest fundraiser. The UUSC without a doubt makes a profound difference in the world and we can be a part of that difference. This service will be dedicated to the UUSC’s hard work, commitment, and some of their successes. Please join me as we kick off our own “Guest at Your Table” campaign. – John Pepper

Sun, Nov 21: "Abraham, the Father of All Faiths" was the subject of guest speaker Imam Zakee Abdurrahim of Huntsville. He says that "All faiths that we call religion came from Abraham, especially those faiths that believe in one God. Imam Abdurrahim was born in Waco and grew up in Marlin. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin in 1965, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany and then in South Vietnam as a grenade launcher.

Over the years Imam Abdurrahim has worked as a custodian, taxicab driver, clothes salesman, foreman at Texas Plastics in Midland, and a drug treatment counselor. He became a Muslim in 1972 in Dallas and was chosen to be an assistant imam in 1975. While in Huntsville, he has taught the teachings of the Quran to individuals, and for the last two years he has participated in a Bible study class at Grace Methodist Church, where his wife Debbie Gordon is a member.

Sun, Nov 14: Guest Speaker Adrian Summers talked on "A Miscarriage of Justice." A Scotland Yard detective for 23 years, Summers worked on a number of high profile murder cases. Summers grew up in England. He became a member of the London Police Academy at the age of 16 and began serving as a constable in southwest London at 19. In 1975 he was promoted to detective and began working at Scotland Yard. Summers retired in 1998. Before moving to Houston, he lived in Huntsville.

Sun, Nov 7: A Season For Thanks and Giving was Rev. John

Pepper's early reminder of what the “Thanksgiving Season” is all about, being thankful for what we have and remembering that others may not be so fortunate. When others are in need, giving is important.

Sun, Oct 31: Amber Faust, a member of our congregation, spoke on "Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit: Pagan Concepts with Universal Applications." Amber discussed the religious and metaphorical connotations associated with each of the elements and their significance in several different religions as well as the concept of their balance and unison to promote spiritual growth and inner peace. The concept of these "elements" is quite universal and prominent in a variety of religions and philosophical paths worldwide. Their metaphorical meanings or associations are often incorporated into individual personal lives in a pursuit of balance and moderation.

Sun, Oct 24: "What Can't You See?" - We are all blind to certain aspects of life, either physically or metaphorically. You may read Rev. John Pepper's sermon here or read the text of the entire service.

Sun, Oct 17: Richard Lane, a member of our church, spoke on "Historical Jesus: What history can and cannot tell us about Jesus." In addition to several translations of the Bible, some of the books which influenced Richard are "Who wrote the Gospels?" by Randel McGraw Helms, "The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q and Christian Origins" by Burton L. Mack, "Misquoting Jesus" and "Jesus Interrupted" by Bart D. Ehrman, "A.D. 381" by Charles Freeman, "The Gnostic Gospels" by Elaine Pagels, "Food and Society in Classical Antiquity" by Peter Garnsey, "A History of God" by Karen Armstrong, "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" by Jose Saramago, "The Jeffersonian Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth" by Thomas Jefferson, and "The Gospel According to Thomas". Richard graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a B.S in Education. He retired this year after working for the Huntsville Public Library for over ten years and then returned to the library in a part-time position.

Sun, Oct 10: Dr. Richard Eglsaer of SHSU was our guest speaker on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. The title of his talk was "Constructive Patterns of Coping with Stress." Dr. Eglsaer discussed the nature of stress and how it impacts each person differently. After discussing the theory of stress, he examined some of the common ways in which we deal with stress, focusing on whether or not the method of stress reduction is effective.

Sun, Oct 3: "Gandhi's Dream" - In 2007 the UN created the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2nd, which is Gandhi's birthday. In honor of that day, Rev. John Pepper reflected on his legacy and what Gandhi called the "Seven Social Sins."

Sun, Sept 26: “Stewards of the Earth and More!” – As UUs we often promote stewardship of the Earth but stewardship is necessary for much, much, more in our lives. The Rev. John Pepper broached this subject and this aspect of our lives that we need to be fully conscious of as we go about the ongoing process of building and creating our spiritual home at Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church.

Sun, Sept 19: Dr. Marian Hillar, a philosopher, theologian, and scientist who is a professor at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, spoke on "Michael Servetus: Intellectual Giant, Humanist, and Martyr." Dr. Hillar is co-author of a book by the same title, and he is recognized worldwide as an authority on Servetus, who played a major role in the development of the doctrine of Antitrinitarianism

Sun, Sept 12: Dr. James Olson, distinguished professor of history at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), spoke about "My Cancer Odyssey." Many of Olson's accomplishments have occurred during his battle with cancer over the past 29 years. Olson’s book—Bathsheba’s Breast: Women, Cancer, and History was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in History. Read more about this speaker in the September newsletter.

Sun, Sept 5: “It’s All About the Journey” – Rev. John Pepper reflected on the purpose of the journey we are all on – the journey of life. During the service, the congregation participated in our second annual Ingathering Water Ceremony, a UU tradition at the end of the vacation season. Bringing a small vial or container of water that symbolized the places we've been this past summer, we mingled our collective memories within a common chalice and thus ritually rejoined and recommited to our spiritual community.

Sun, Aug 29: Bruce Marx, who recently joined our church, spoke on the topic of the seven Unitarian Universalist principles, two of which are (1) a free and responsible search for truth and meaning and (2) the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

A native of New York, Bruce works in primary care as a PA at the Calvary Medical Clinic in Livingston. He is a former member of the Spindletop Unitarian Universalist Church in Beaumont

Sun, Aug 22: "The Sunday Morning Good News with John Pepper" - Enough with all the bad news. Today's service was devoted to some of the Good News all around us. - Namaste! John Pepper

Sun, Aug 15: Bob Peake, who became a member of this church in June, spoke on "A.D. 381," based upon the book of the same title by Charles Freeman.

The Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 did not resolve the question of Jesus' relationship to God, and so the controversy raged on. It was not until the new Roman Emperor, Theodosius, decreed in A.D. 381 that the Council's conclusion in A.D. 325 regarding the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) was indeed the correct one that Jesus' relationship to God was confirmed. Thus everyone was to believe in this doctrine. Anyone who believed or taught differently was a heretic. The Roman Empire gave the Church the power to purge her enemies and established the Trinitarian Doctrine for all time.

Bob is a retired physician, having worked in the private practice of Internal Medicine and also taught at and cared for patients at UTMB. Bob has been a Unitarian most of his life, but officially since the early 1970's when he became a member of the UU Fellowship of Galveston County.

Sun, Aug 8: The title of guest speaker Bridget Osborne's talk was “Polytheistic Nature-Worshipping Neofeminists: AKA Wicca.” Osborne explained the tenets of "typical" Wiccan belief and discussed a few aspects of some adherents’ more extreme belief systems. She includes the basics of the belief system, its roots in pre-Christian polytheistic religions, and Christianity's assimilation of many Goddess-Worship teachings and holy days.

Bridget graduated from the University of Florida in 1994 with dual degrees in psychology and women's studies. She and her husband now live in Dodge with their family of dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses.

Sun, Aug, 1: "Forever Forgiving" - Forgiveness is a primary theme for most religions and the season seems to begin with August and September. In honor of International Forgiveness Day on August 1st, John Pepper reflected on some of the religious traditions surrounding forgiveness and the inherent power within the act of forgiveness. The transcript of the entire service is here.

Sun, July 25: “Religious Genealogy and The Abrahamic Faiths” -- The three great monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all have the same founding father, Abraham. The Rev. John Pepper reviewed what unites these religions as opposed to what divides them. The transcript of the entire service is available here.

Sun, July 18: Mike Yawn, Clinical Associate Professor of Political Science at SHSU. spoke on "Bowling Alone and the Decline of Social Capital." Social capital refers to the connections, knowledge, and abilities derived from civic engagement. High levels of social capital promote trust, cooperation, and democratic leanings. Declines in social capital in the United States have concerned scholars, who see an erosion of democratic principles and a transformation of personal interaction to virtual interaction.

Sun, July 11: The guest speaker, Dr. Richard

Cording, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Sam Houston State University and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, discussed the topic "Fate, Destiny, and Free Will." From the point of view of several verses in the Old Testatment and from his own thoughts, Dr. Cording examined the question: Is there a time and place for significant events in life to take place?

Sun, July 4: John Pepper's sermon this Sunday, was "Freedom's Consequences," Please see the transcript of this service.

Sun, June 27: Our own James Moore, President-Elect of our congregation, spoke on "The Value of Commitment." He says, "Active members of the community engage in commitment to three entities – social groups, partnerships and themselves. Each successive form of dedication is increasingly personal and precious. We commit to social networks through faith groups, charities, political organizations, academic disciplines and professional entities that share our goals, values and perspectives. Unitarian Universalists have the Seven Principles that guide our group commitment. In partnerships, UUs encourage people to commit to one another in ceremonies, regardless of the partner’s gender, race or religious background. This is a mutual understanding and devotion between two consenting adults to live life with and for one another. And finally, when we commit to ourselves, this is the personal promise we must keep to live by and maintain our own unique set of values independent of any other entity. Without a commitment to the principles we each hold dearest in our hearts, how can we dedicate ourselves to anybody else?"

As the coordinator of the English Language Institute at Sam Houston State University during the past two years, James has interacted with a wide variety of people from cultures around the world. He is currently studying for his Master’s in Education.

Rite of the Seven Steps: Following the service, James Moore and Annie Glenney renewed their wedding vows.

June Special Offering: As part of our ongoing support for the community, our special collection was dedicated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, which serves Montgomery, Liberty, Walker and the northern part of Harris counties. Their mission is to provide education, support and advocacy to help improve the lives of persons affected by mental illness.

Sun, June 20: John Pepper's sermon for this Sunday was "The Miracle of Fellowship." The sermon was inspired by the New Testament passage Matthew 14:13-21. All over the world and throughout time, when people come together in friendship and love, even though they may be from different ethnicities or cultures, "miracles" can happen when they simply risk to be together and witness to their common humanity. The sermon explored not only this Bible passage but other more current events inspired by simple acts of fellowship.

Sun, June 13: This congregation had an all-time record attendance for a Sunday service. Members, friends, and John Pepper's family came to hear John's sermon "All Are Called But Not Everyone Listens!" and to see him ordained as a minister. Please see the transcript of the entire service.

Sun, June 6: Christian Schmidt, a student at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, was our guest speaker with a sermon on "Standing on the Side of Love." His sermon addressed the questions--Why should Unitarian Universalists support the oppressed, those who are hurt by our society? What are we called to do as people of faith in a world where there are so many who hunger, who lack shelter, or who lack basic human rights like being with their family or being able to express their love?

Sun, May 30: New member Dr.Marcus Gillespie, Associate Professor of Geography at SHSU, spoke on "Population Growth and Its Implications." The number of people living on earth at this moment is 6.8 billion, vastly greater than the population at any point in history prior to our time. The population continues to grow, with almost 80 million people added to the world’s population each year. The needs of so many people are creating unsustainable demands on the world’s resources, causing most of the environmental problems, and many of the social problems, with which we are faced.

Sun, May 23: John Pepper coordinated the service with the musicians from "The Tim and Bob Show," a group from San Antonio First UU, the musicians in residence at the last SWUUC.

Special Offering: The May special offering was collected for the Wynne Home Art Center, which offers a wide variety of arts and cultural programs and field trips tailored to the interests and needs of our diverse community.

Sun, May 16: Mary Welborn led a discussion of the book Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson.

Sun, May 9: Our guest speaker was the Rev. Susan Smith, the District Executive of the Southwestern Conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association, speaking on "Perfectly Small." There is an art to balancing an appreciation for life as it is now with the dreams we hold for the future both collectively and individually. It is in this present moment that the skills are learned, the wisdom gained and the community formed to make the future of our dreams possible.

Sun, Apr 25: John Pepper's sermon was The Abuse of Fellowship - the first half of a two part theme. He will share The Miracle of Fellowship at a later date. In light of the recent financial meltdown and the fact that we live in a world where people take advantage of friendships, the abuse of fellowship was unfortunately an appropriate topic. This service was a reminder to keep your eyes open and to use your powers of reason and your personal integrity to get you through these troubling times. You may read the full service here.

Special Offering: Our special offering on Apr 20th went to CASA--Court Appointed Special Advocate--of Walker County.

Welcoming Congregation Program: After lunch, John Pepper taught the first session to prepare our congregation to be a Welcoming Congregation.

Sun, Apr 11: Dr. Donna Desforges, Professor and former Chair of the Dept of Psychology and Philosophy, SHSU, was the guest speaker. Her topic was "The Psychology of Happiness."

Sun, Apr 4: Easter service with a sermon by John Pepper: Easter Revisited.

Sun, Mar 28: John Pepper's sermon was The Different Faces of Social Action - In honor of Justice Sunday, this service focused on the different aspects of Social Action. One is Social Justice, but others are Social Service, Social Witness, and Social Education.

Sun, Mar 21: Beth Williamson led a discussion of the book UU Pocket Guide.

Sun, Mar 14: Our speaker was Dr. Ricardo Eusebi, who recently joined the faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas A & M University. Dr. Eusebi is currently working on the search for the Higgs boson, also known as "the God particle." This particular particle could answer the question in science--How did the cosmic crash known as the Big Bang become the universe we live in today? See related article "The Race for the Secret of the Universe" in Parade.

Sun, Feb. 28: John Pepper, UUA Intern Minister, spoke on "Living the Possibilities." He related the similarities of our fellowship's effort to build our own church home to the story of the miraculous results in fundraising for the New England Salems Children's Village in New Hampshire. Natasha Satterfield provided special music on the organ donated by the Satterfields. Other very special music, "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram," a Hindu peace anthem, was sung by Jenny Thayer and accompanied by her friend Lauren.

Sun, Feb. 14: John Pepper presided as 39 people attended our first service in our new building. Our guest speaker, the Rev. Leonora Montgomery, a UU minister who has served four churches in the Houston area, brought us a meaningful sermon on "Touching Lives." Valentine's Day is all about love. Building a new church home is a labor of love. Love is all about touching lives. Rev. Montgomery explained that the contemporary UU theologian Thandeka maintains that our emotional side of being caring and compassionate people holds us together while we retain our intellectual freedom to be open to diverse religious beliefs.

This service was dedicated to Kelley Sigler, founding member and original building committee chair, whose health prevented him from attending. Lee Stringer was recognized for spearheading the construction of the pay-as-you-go project. Lee's many, many hours of work and attentions to details resulted in our occupying the building in less than a year after the fellowship voted to build on the wooded lot.

Adding to the service was the beauty of the chancel table. Rev. Montgomery provided a red embroidered cloth, which she had brought from Transylvania. Carla and Thomas McAdams provided a long container of bright red tulips. The ornate chancel chairs were provided by John Pepper and Randy Joiner. The banner was designed and created by Joan Culp.

See the article in The Huntsville Item

Sun, Jan. 24: John Pepper spoke on "Prophets of Peace," a reflection on peace and how to live the peace we promote.

Sun, Jan. 10: The first service of 2010 was held on January 10th at the Laura Chapel. Our speakers were Dick and Denese Schmelzkopf, who spoke on "Courage Doesn't Always Roar." Everyone faces adversity at some time in their lives. Faith in yourself and your Higher Power combined with the willingness to go beyond and the persistence to persevere are some of the most important keys to get you where you want to be.

BUSINESS MEETINGS

Sun, May 16: At a short business meeting after the service, members voted unanimously to ordain John Pepper.

Sun, May 2: The membership voted to begin using a new name on signs, publicity, correspondence, this website, etc. The church will now be know as Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church.

OTHER PAST EVENTS

LOCAL HARVEST DINNER

The Thoreau Woods Fall Local Harvest Festival will take place on Saturday, November 12. The purpose of this festival is to promote an appreciation of the environment through outdoor activities for families and a dinner prepared with local organically grown produce. Arts and crafts activities for kids will be held in the Thoreau Woods forest from 2-4pm. Tamara Chasteen will organize these free activities with the help of volunteers. At 6pm we will have a fundraising dinner to support local farmers and Thoreau Woods UU Church. Dinner tickets are available for $25 each. Contact James Moore to purchase tickets or volunteer. Email Jamesmoore@shsu.edu or call 936-439-5718.

CHURCH JOINS CHAMBER

Thoreau Woods UU Church is now a member of the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. As a member group we will be listed in the next Chamber V.O.I.C.E. newsletter, an insert in the Huntsville Item. We get reduced prices at events like Trade Expo and Fair on the Square, ability to participate in monthly and after hours networking events, a gift certificate for advertising on KSAM, listing in their business directory and website and other benefits.

Ted Back: A memorial service for Ted Back was held at Thoreau Woods at 11:00 on August 21, 2010, with a reception afterwards at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Ted was a friend of Thoreau Woods for many years. He will be missed. Please read more about Ted in the August newsletter.

James Moore featured in The Huntsville Item

photo by Matthew Jackson/The Huntsville Item

James Moore, the 2010/2011 president of the Thoreau Woods UU Church, was featured on the front page of The Huntsville Item on Sunday, July 25, 2010, in an article written by Matthew Jackson. Please click here to read the online edititon of the article.

NFW Certified Wildlife Habitat: The National Wildlife Federation has certified Thoreau Woods UU Church as a "Wildlife Habitat." To protect wildlife for the future, a Wildlife Habitat provides the four basic elements necessary for wildlife to thrive: food, water, cover, and places for animals to raise their young. Furthermore, a Wildlife Habitat incorporates sustainable gardening practices using native plants, plants that provide the best food and shelter for local wildlife as well as supporting insect life. We have just received a sign to display in our yard. Thank you to Lee Williams and Dusty Hill for applying for certification.

Article in UU World: The summer 2010 issue of the UU World has a nice article about our congregation's pay-as-go building program: http://www.uuworld.org/life/articles/162477.shtml

Kelley Sigler: A memorial service for Kelley Sigler was held at the church on Friday, April 9, at 4:00. We will all greatly miss Kelley. A wise, warm, friendly, caring man, he was a founding member of our congregation and never missed a service unless he wass ill or out of town visiting his family or exploring the world. The February 14th service this year, the first service in our new building, was dedicated to Kelley, who served as the first building committee chair. Please read more about Kelley at the Walker Free Press.

New Members: Thomas Jones re-joined us in October. Thomas was previously a member during his student years in high school and at SHSU.

Matt Jackson joined us in September. Matt is a staff reporter, photographer, and film critic for the Huntsville Item.

Welcome to Bruce and Sharon Marx, who joined on July 4th, making our membership total 43. Bruce and Sharon have a son named Jay.

New members Karen and Bob Peake, Pat Henry, and Helen Burrow, all from the Livingston area, joined on June 27, raising our membership to 41.

Welcome to new member Annie Glenney. Annie is married to our future board president, James Moore.

Frances McGregor, who joined on May 30, lives on Ave. P. Amber Faust also joined on May 30. You may have seen Amber's cute little daughter Felicity with her at church.

Marc Gillespie joined on March 28. He is a professor at SHSU.

On March 14, Denise Tilson signed the book. She is our 5th member who is a librarian.

During our meal after the morning service on Feb 28, we welcomed two new members--Pat "Dusty" Hill and Lee Williams. Our membership is growing!

Mon, March 1: Dr. Marilyn Mehr, President of the UU-United Nations Office, spoke at a special program at 7:00 p.m. at our church at 144 East Mosley Lane. The title of her talk was "The UU United Nations Office: What We Do, Why We Do It, and How You Can Join Us in Creating a Just and Peaceful Planet"

Dr. Mehr explained that the UU-UNO can be proud of its many successes over the past 60 years in speaking and advocating for UU values at the United Nations. In areas such as human rights, climate change, the International Criminal Court and preparing youth to assume global leadership, the UU-UNO is bringing a faith-based voice to the one institution where nations of the world can achieve a vision of world peace and justice. more.....

BUILDING UPDATES

See pictures of the construction of the building under photos.

Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church Huntsville, Texas

formerly known as the Huntsville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship