OFFICERS (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011)
President: James Moore
Vice Pres./ Program Chair: Stuart Williamson
Treasurer: Linda Parks
Secretary: Nisa Gillespie
Member-at-large: Marcus Gillespie
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APPOINTED POSITIONS
Music Director: Pat Henry
Pianists: Karen Peake, Asia Gillespie, Natasha Sutterfield, Dixon Lichtenauer
Newsletter Editor: Beth Williamson
Order of Service Editor: Kimberly Francisco
RE Director: Beth Williamson
Co-Publicists: Paul Culp and Ken Krock
Web Site Coordinator: Pam Maine Johnson
Parliamentarian: Rick Norman
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COMMITTEES
Faith Development: Beth Williamson, Chair; Anne True; Stuart Williamson; Richard Lane; Pat Henry; Karen Peake; Amber Faust
Faith Development Committee Charge - Responsibilities include selection and implementation of programming, religious education and social action projects to facilitate the spiritual/psychosocial growth of the congregation.
Facilities Management: Paul Culp, Chair; Anne Sigler; Brenda Barr; Melissa Templeton; Dixon Lichtenauer; Annie Glenney
Facility Management Committee Charge - Responsibilities include maintenance and enhancement of the church physical plant, which provides the environment for faith development to occur. This includes the interior upkeep, grounds and any additional present or proposed additions to the property, with the exception of major building projects.
Community Relations: Pam Maine Johnson, Chair; Joan Stringer, Kimberly Francisco, Denise Tilson, Ken Krock, Linda Parks, Lawana Oliver
Community Relations Committee Charge - Responsibilities include coordinating communications and special events and promotions, including Thoreau Woods Coffeehouse, through the church newsletter, website, order of service, newspaper ads/articles, posting of flyers and any other media. Events and programs produced by the Faith Development Committee would be promoted by Community Relations.
Building: Lee Stringer, Chair; Marcus Gillespie; Pam Johnson
Chalice Lighter Review: Pam Johnson, Chair; Beth Williamson; Joan Stringer; Carla McAdams
Bylaws: Rick Norman, Chair; Roberta Krock; Beth Williamson
Message from our President
February 2012
Message from our President
Dear Friends,
First, I would like to thank the members who have served in the last year in an administrative role for Thoreau Woods UU Church, both on the Executive Board and as committee chairs. In particular, I would like to recognize the contributions of Amber Faust and Carla McAdams, who served respectively until recently as the Secretary and Facilities Management Chair. It is stressful and time consuming to take on such roles, and I commend them for their time and efforts. Finally, I wish to welcome Nisa Gillespie as the current Secretary and Paul Culp, who has taken over the Facilities Management Committee and will oversee the development of our long range site development plan. I am regularly inspired by the dedication and passion members of our congregation have committed to this community and the ideals we espouse. At the heart of it all is an enduring belief in the power of love as a driving force in all we say and do.
Peace,
James Moore
January 2012
Message from our President
Dear Friends,
With the end of the year came the end of our union with the Rev. John Pepper, who has served us diligently and faithfully for the last few years. He presided over several memorial services, including that of Thoreau Woods charter member Kelley Sigler, and the dedication cermony for our daughter Maryann Jain Moore at his last service. With each end comes a new beginning. We wish Rev. Pepper the very best wherever the winds of life take him, knowing that wherever he lands the people there will be better off for it.
Peace and Namaste, James Moore
December 2011
The holidays are a time of great stress for many people, due to either financial or familial tensions, and poor weather conditions only exacerbate these woes. If you are ever feeling alone, depressed, or overwhelmed by the world, these are the times when it is most important to remember that we are part of a loving community. One of our UU principles is "Justice, equity and compassion in human relations." That last part - compassion - originally meant literally to suffer with another person. It is a recognition that we cannot really relieve the pain of others without fully knowing their suffering. Throughout the holiday season, may we remember that sometimes the greatest gift we can give is an understanding ear and an open heart, neither of which you can find at any store.
Peace,
James Moore
November 2011
The adult Religious Education program we have been studying over the past couple months has encouraged our group to explore the meaning of social justice, a core component of our mission. What does that phrase mean? Based on my experience, working for social justice means first recognizing that there are groups in our society that do not receive equal treatment and opportunities, and then striving as a community to correct these inequities. Locally our church supports social justice through providing food for the hungry, education for the ignorant, and advocacy for the disenfranchised. More than any other lesson I have learned recently about social justice, it is an essential part of being a Unitarian Universalist.
October 2011
Dear TWUUC Members & Friends,
With wildfires raging all around, our mission of Just Help has called each of us to assist both victims and fire fighters alike. The blazes have affected people of all races and social classes, and our diverse community has come together to help those in need. My heart is filled with a mixture of sorrow for those who have lost their homes and lives, and joy at the response of everyday people who have risen to the occasion and supported their neighbors.
Thank you for your commitment to our principles, showing our faith in actions that speak louder than any sermon could. As we continue to suffer through the worst drought in the history of Texas, there will surely be further needs for donations and volunteers. It is comforting to know that when a call for help comes to us, Thoreau Woods is ready to answer.
Peace,
James Moore
President, Thoreau Woods UU Church
(936) 439-5718
September 2011
Our daughter, Maryann Jain Moore, arrived on Friday, August 19, at 1:21am weighing 7lbs at a length of almost 19 in. Attached are a few photos and I look forward to the day when she will be ready to visit Thoreau Woods in person and have a welcoming ceremony. I'm sure Rev. Pepper will be able to help us out with that. Mother and baby are at home now doing well and bonding nicely. Thank you all for your continuous support of our family. Take care.
Peace, James Moore