Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church Huntsville, Texas

formerly known as the Huntsville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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History of the Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church

formerly known as the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntsville, Texas


The Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville, TX, was established as the Huntsville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on the Sunday after Labor Day in September 1983.  Stuart and Beth Williamson, who relocated to Huntsville that year, ran an ad in the Huntsville Item inviting anyone interested in the Unitarian denomination to a brunch and discussion meeting at a restaurant where the Tejas Café is now located. Stuart prepared a talk explaining who the Unitarians are and what they believe. Two other people, Kelley and Anne Sigler, came to the meeting. Like Stuart and Beth, Kelley and Anne had been Unitarians before coming to Huntsville, so Stuart did not make his presentation. Encouraged by the warmth of the conversation at the first meeting, the four founders decided to form a fellowship.

In the spring of 1986, the fellowship held its first formal election of officers at a picnic meeting on the shore of Lake Livingston. Elected were Dr. A. J. [Jack] Westbrook, president; Kelley and Anne Sigler, vice presidents; Beth Williamson, secretary; and Hal Coleman, treasurer. Marilyn Camarca became newsletter editor and Doris McGonagle was religious education chair.

By the summer of 1986, the congregation had the minimum twenty members necessary to affiliate with the Unitarian Universalist Association. By the time we applied for affiliation, we could report twenty-two members. We were incorporated on September 3, 1986, and received our certificate of affiliation in October of that year. That same year we began meeting in the Laura Chapel of Huntsville Memorial Hospital.  We continued meeting at the Laura Chapel on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, except for the three summer months when we met only on the 2nd Sunday.

 

Through the years many guest speakers have presented programs at our Sunday morning services. We have invited individuals from the Huntsville area to speak on various topics, some religious in nature and some of just general interest. Perhaps exploring a variety of topics is our way of increasing our own "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part," one of the principles of the Unitarian Universalists.

 

In June of 1997, Dr. Frank Schulman became our minister, speaking regularly on the 2nd Sunday of each month until his death in January 2006.

On July 9, 2006, the membership of the Huntsville Unitarian Fellowship met in a special meeting after the service for the purpose of considering the appointment of Rev. Tom Capo for the position of consulting minister. He was chosen by a unanimous vote. He began his duties in September 2006, and he continued preaching regularly once a month through August 10, 2008, when he accepted a call to be the full-time pastor of People's Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

 

After being given a plot of land at 144 East Mosley in Huntsville, the membership voted on April 8, 2009, to begin construction of a building on a pay-as-you-go basis.  The first stage (dried-in) was completed by the end of July 2009.  

 

On August 9, 2009, the membership met in a special meeting after the service to accept John Pepper's proposal to work part time as a ministerial intern for the Huntsville UU Fellowship for two years beginning in September 2009.

 

On February 14, 2010, John Pepper presided as 39 people attended our first service in our new building on East Mosley Lane.  Lee Stringer was recognized for spearheading the construction of the pay-as-you-go project.  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."  This service was dedicated to Kelley Sigler, founding member and original building committee chair, whose health prevented him from attending.

 

In May of 2010, now holding services every Sunday in their own building, the members voted to begin using the name Thoreau Woods Unitarian Universalist Church. 

 

In support for and appreciation of John Pepper in his ongoing goals and ministry, the membership voted unanimously to ordain John Pepper as a Unitarian Universalist minister.  The ordination ceremony was held during the Sunday morning service on June 13, 2010.  John Pepper preaches twice a month at Thoreau Woods, and guest speakers or other programs are scheduled for the remaining Sundays each month.     

 

 Our Purpose

 

The purpose of this society shall be the enjoyment and practice of religion founded upon devotion to individual freedom of belief.  Using reason as our guide and freedom as our method, we seek to grow in understanding ourselves and our world and to promote and serve the universal human family. (Article II of Bylaws)

 

Our Mission Statement

 

Just help.

 

There are three interpretations of this mission.

It is the journey to answer the complex question "Why am I here?"

It is help that is just.

It is to do no harm of any kind against ourselves, others or the environment.

JUST HELP

 

Congregational Covenant

 

Firmly grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles, we join together on the path of spiritual and intellectual growth to:

• promote knowledge and caring for one another;

• celebrate community, acceptance, and tolerance for a more equitable, peaceful world;

• preserve and appreciate the natural environment around us;

• respect others’ beliefs while helping one another adhere to our principles and covenant;

• work toward the propagation of truth and beauty throughout daily life.

Our Seven Principles
 
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
 

Vision

The key to a fulfilling, shared future is through a deliberate, communal effort to sustain life. We shall achieve this through:

• environmental preservation with clean energy, recycling and organic gardening;

• formation of covenant groups to fulfill needs of special interest groups;

• multigenerational education and care services, such as youth mentoring, family friendly classes and provision of basic needs for low income children and adults;

• development of a prison ministry to give inmates improved opportunities;

• implementation of a responsible growth plan for the congregation to include eco-friendly land development and broad outreach efforts to the community.

To achieve this vision, Thoreau Woods must have effective leadership. A Council of Counsel shall be established to share their wisdom and experience with the congregation and help develop congregational leaders. Membership in this group shall be based on a history of commitment to the Unitarian Universalist movement through actions and support.