Dear Reader,
This is the Monday, August 10, 2026 full edition of the Tapestry newsletter of upcoming events and announcements. All events are open to anyone who wishes to join, except where otherwise noted.
Quick Links to Contents:
Upcoming Sunday Service at 11:00 AM:
Blessing of the Backpacks
by James Moore
Join us for a blessing of the backpacks for students returning to school.
Announcements:
Four-Day Local Buddhist Retreat
There has been interest among Tapestry members to learn more about Buddhism and this 4 day retreat in Hempstead offers time and reflection in the Buddhist tradition. It is led by the Mindfulness Practice Community of Houston (MOCH) and former Buddhist monk and now teacher Michael Ciborski. Scholarships are available for those who would like them and the deadline for submission for scholarship is September 7th. Deadline to register for the retreat is October 16th. If you have questions before registering, please feel free to contact Michelle. See more information here: https://www.mpchouston.org/retreats/2026-fall-retreat
Sign Up to Meet with Dr. McGuire
To schedule a one-on-one appointment with Dr. McGuire on Monday or Tuesday next week (8/10-8/11), please use the following Signup Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A5AC29AAFECE9-64981622-private.
Cooking Covenant Group: September Meeting: Cancelled
by Tracy Cook on 8/5/2026
Howdy, Friends and Neighbors!
So our next meeting of the Cooking and Eating Covenant Group is scheduled for Saturday, September 5. However, my sister is coming in from Colorado Springs! Yay! She’s only here for a day, then over to Austin to see our dad and stepmom. The day she’s planning to come up, though, is that Saturday. I want to show her around, which means no Cooking and Eating Group for September. Thank you for understanding!
We will resume meetings on October 3 at my house, 3:00-4:30 PM. We will be celebrating Spooky Foods!!! Please RSVP for this event by October 1 so I know how many places to save.
See you then!
Read More and Comment on the Cooking Covenant Group Blog
The Pagan Pages: August Meeting: Summary
by Tracy Cook on 8/4/2026
Greetings to All!
We met on July 26 and discussed the various ways we use Tarot cards. That was a great conversation! We talked about whether we share our cards or not. Most people said they were not comfortable sharing. The energy from the other person can…glomm onto the cards, so to speak. Some people, myself included, shared that we are comfortable sharing. I stated that I have a regular practice of clearing or cleansing my cards before I use them. Are we comfortable giving readings for others? Most said no, because of the aforementioned reason. A few newbies said they would be, as a part of learning the deck. Which decks do we use? I was interested to see that many people use multiple decks! I enjoyed seeing the decks people used. The cards kind of matched the personalities of the people, ha!
There were not many of us who follow the waxing and waning of the Moon - I am one of the people who does track the Moon. For those who are interested: at the New Moon, pick something (a habit, a skill, a personal growth idea) that you wish to grow. I am growing (or rather, re-growing!) the habit of taking breaks between tasks. So every day as the Moon waxes towards full, I am building this particular habit. Only one! I am intentional about it, and try to actually take breaks. When I forget, I recommit. No flailing about, no moaning and groaning about how I failed. Just gentle acknowledgement. At the Full Moon, I picked something I wanted to release, something that was no longer working for me. And I did the same thing, no whining about how I just did the thing I said I wouldn’t do. Gentle correction and recommit. On August 12, I will return to re-growing the ‘take a break’ habit. That’s it!
I learned how to pronounce Lughnasadh! This holiday celebrates the god Lugh, who is a master of many skills. We can honor him by recognizing people who have a skill or a trade that they are very good at! I like that this is a celebration that could honor teachers, since it happens at the start of the school year. This is also the beginning of the harvest season. Fruits and veggies are in season - think of the State Fair competitions on growing the largest veggies, or baking the best pie. What are *you* growing that might be ready for harvest? It doesn’t have to be something to eat! Think of what you have been growing all year. Maybe you have been trying to recognize moments when you are grateful. Or maybe you have been trying to speak up more frequently.
Next Month:
Saturday, August 22 from 6:00-8:00 PM in person and on Zoom. We will discuss reading tea leaves, Mabon and similar celebrations, and take a look at the Wheel of the Year.
Read More and Comment on The Pagan Pages Blog
Mahjong And More
Join me, Chris Lowe, at Oden’s Place, formally known as Dragons Lair, on the third Wednesday from 6 to 8 for the reintroduction of game night. There is food in the tavern. In this case, we will be starting with one game, we will be learning how to play Mahjong. Mahjong is similar to Dominoes, poker, hearts, and spades, except with Chinese “dominoes.” There is an American version of the Chinese dominoes or in this case tiles, and we have several sets arriving to join us. It’s a game of strategy where you have to be on your toes, quick fast thinking and good hand eye coordination. Of course, don’t forget to bring yourselves and your children. We will have other board games for them to play if they don’t want to learn how to play Mahjong and for adults who don’t wanna learn how to play Mahjong, but want to support their partners. If interested, please text or email me at mahjong@uutapestry.org.
Share-the-Plate
August's share-the-plate offering is going to Houston Children's Charity, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused, and disabled children who have been otherwise left behind.
Our Next Camping Adventure
Greetings, Campers
The Camping Group is planning our next adventure! We are headed to Goose Island State Park in Port Aransas on September 18-20. We (the Cook Household) have reserved bay front site #24 for $25 per day. The person recommended reserving a spot ASAP since this is not a huge park. Bayfront sites #18, 19, 21, and 23 are still available. More sites under the trees are also available, but with a clearance of 12’ recommended so you don’t scratch the roof of your trailer. If you want to tent-camp, talk to Tracy Cook to see if there is space for a tent without needing another site.
There are also houses for rent in town. Use your favorite site (VRBO, AirBnB, etc) and make reservations! The Park Person did recommend making day pass reservations up to 30 days prior to arrival, as the park does get a significant amount of visitors on the weekends.
Are you more interested in a hotel or motel? Then go ahead and do you! Just also make day pass reservations.
For the Park:
- No firepits at the campsites!
- Portable charcoal or propane grills are permitted
- There *are* fire pits in the day-use area.
- Two vehicles per site, but car + trailer counts as two
- Each site can accommodate 8 people
- Tent campers can be at an RV site for an extra $4 per person per day, as long as we have the space - this head count also includes day-use passes, though!
- If we do end up needing another site, it is only $25 per night or $20 if you want to set up under the trees.
- Check-in is at 2:00 PM
- Check-out is 12Noon - and that means like we are gone by noon, not getting ready to leave around noon.
There is a cancellation policy.
If you cancel on or before the 13th, then you can get most of your money back. The Park will keep $10 per day as a fee.
If you just don’t show up, then the Park gets to keep your money ??
Please email camping@uutapestry.org if you have any questions, or to let us know you have made reservations.
We're Looking for More Liturgists!
UBarU News: Summer Events
by Tracy Cook on 5/21/2026
Summer Camp for Youth!!!
For full details, go to https://www.ubaru.org/summer-camps.
UBARU Summer Camps are a favorite of UU kids! Many children have made lasting friendships that started at camp and continued into ‘real life’. My own kids did this, and both have worked the camps for years. My elder son still works in the kitchen!
Highly recommended, 5 stars!
YA Weekend - June 27-30
The participation in this event has continued to grow! We have at least one person who attended in the past. For more information, go to https://www.ubaru.org/young-adult-camp-weekend.
SWUUSI Camp - July 14-19
Ahhh, SWUUSI! Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Camp for the entire family! This camp was started as a ministerial retreat, but quickly grew to include our church families. Or ‘framilies’ as I like to refer to us. This camp is in its 80+ year, how cool is that!
We have several families who attend, my own included. Want to join in?! Go to https://www.ubaru.org/swuusicamp for all the details, including a sample schedule.
I apologize for the late notice this year, as the Director had many requirements that she and about 20 local camps were trying to renegotiate with a legislature that was not in session this year.
GenderfUUl Weekend - August 14-16
The GenderfUUl Retreat is an affirming retreat where trans, non-binary, and agender UUs can build community with each other. For more details please go to https://www.ubaru.org/genderfuul-weekend.
Read More and Comment on the UBarU News Blog
Tapestry Disc Golf!
Disc Golf Signal app group SIGN-UP
Interested in getting together for disc golf? If you'd like to play disc golf some early Saturday morning then join the Disc Golf Signal app group for notifications on the day(s) before the game. Then if you are available show up with some water and a hat. There will be discs available so there is no need to buy or bring discs. The game takes less than 2 hours and is free.
You can email dg@uutapestry.org with your Signal app phone number or userName to get an invite to join the Signal app Disc Golf group. If you have the Signal app installed you can send a message to: oldwippersnapper.01 to join the group. Then you'll get a Signal app Disc Golf group event notification whenever anyone posts an upcoming disc golf game event with the date, time, and location for the game. If you see the event notification just show up on Saturday to get some exercise, to spend some time in nature, and to enjoy playing disc golf with friends.
Disc Golf is good fun, companionship, and a great way to get out in nature. All skill levels are welcome, and loaner discs are available. There are a variety of attractive and challenging courses in the NW Houston area (no fees required), and we sometimes organize road trips to sample other venues. See our Disc Golf group slideshow at: https://uutapestry.org/DiscGolf. We also meet on Zoom Fridays at 4 pm CT to talk and plan future events.
The Group is open to current and former members and friends of Tapestry UU Church of Houston who are interested in playing disc golf. Games and other outings are organized on the Tapestry Disc Golfers Facebook private group page and via the Signal app. To learn more, request to join the Tapestry Disc Golfers Facebook group, or email dg@uutapestry.org. See you on the course!
Tapestry Board Meetings
Your Tapestry Board of Trustees is meeting monthly.
When: 2nd Saturday of each month beginning at 3:00 pm.
Where: Location will vary. Email board@uutapestry.org for more meeting specifics.
View the upcoming agenda by clicking HERE.
Covenant Groups
The following groups are currently accepting new members:
- Cooking Covenant Group
- Gardening Covenant Group
The Women Aligned Spiritually Group is currently closed, but it may reopen to new members next summer.
For more information, please see https://uutapestry.org/CovenantGroups or to suggest a new group, email pastpresident@uutapestry.org.
Tapestry Caring Team
Upcoming Events From Our Calendar:
August 10 (Monday), 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: WITS Meeting
- What's that Document Repository all about and how do I use it?
- I'm on the worship team and I'm puzzled about some of the features of the Worship Schedule.
- I'm a snack provider, greeter, or liturgist and I have questions about how the scheduling works.
- How can I update the church calendar, or submit a newsletter article to the editor?
These are some of the many questions you may have if you are a member of Tapestry and have explored the Members Portal and other interactive sections of our website.If you would like to know how to use all the features available to you, and discover more that you weren't aware of, feel free to attend one of our WITS meetings on the second Monday of each month at 4:30 pm. Click here to join via Zoom, or contact wits@uutapestry.org at any time to ask questions or provide suggestions for our website.
August 11 (Tuesday), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Congregational Dinner with Dr. McGuire
Dr. McGuire will have dinner with the congregation, starting with a Q&A session followed by games, so bring your favorites!
Location: Dimassi's (17240 Tomball Pkwy, Houston, TX 77064)
Pricing: Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet – Willowbrook TX | Halal Restaurant
August 12 (Wednesday), 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Worship Team Meeting
This meeting is to discuss ongoing Worship Team tasks
August 14 (Friday), 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Disc Golf V-Beer Meeting
Weekly Friday 3 PM to 4:30 PM disc golf v-beer Zoom meeting. Contact dg@uutapestry.org for more information.
Thank you for your interest and readership...
Newsletter editor, Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
newsletter@uutapestry.org