Dear Reader,
This is the Wednesday, November 20, 2024 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:
Bread Communion
by Rev. Alisha Mills
Bring the stories of your traditions of sharing and break bread with us. Bring a loaf if you may, enjoy a slide or two from around the congregation as we learn and partake in this blessing of joy.
If you're unable to join us in person, Zoom is still an option by clicking HERE.
Announcements:
Treat Sale Fundraiser Sign-Up and Flyers
We are so excited for the Holiday Treats Bake Sale on Saturday, December 7 at the Juge's neighborhood clubhouse. We are looking for treat donations, volunteers for the event, and people to share flyers. Please treat us with your help! Use this link to sign-up for treats or volunteering. Flyers can be found here or in the Tapestry Office or by contacting Rev. Alisha. Please see Tracy Cook if you have questions.
Add or Update your Google Review
If it has been over a year since you wrote a Google review, please update or add one. Reviews help us grow our church, especially reviews with photos. You can submit a Google review by searching for Tapestry UU of Houston in a Google search bar. When the results are listed select click on the Google Reviews link. You will be taken to a screen where you can add or update a previous review. This should only take about 5 minutes and you can help us grow! Thank you for all you do!
Bread Communion November 24, 2024
Our annual Bread Communion service is coming up the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Join us in this beloved ritual by bringing a sliced loaf, rolls, a bread-based dish, a different dish to share or even nothing at all. We always have so much and love to share!
Stewardship Blog: Our Program Council
by Geoff Sanders on 11/7/2024
I am very pleased with the current status of our church. Alisha joined us in April 2023, and her energy, dedication and positivity is making significant improvements to our programs and our standing in the larger community. But she cannot do it alone.
A church is a voluntary collection of likeminded individuals who band together for the collective good. Tapestry has a long and successful history of attracting, promoting and supporting people who share common values and who are dedicated to helping make our little church thrive. These people are the ones who ensure that our church works, that our programs deliver desired benefits, and that Tapestry continues to be an inviting, supportive and nurturing home for all concerned.
Hats off to all our leaders! They are not paid in coin, but they are indispensable. They are the volunteers who take upon themselves the responsibility for seeing that necessary tasks get done, that we collectively embody the Congregational Covenant that we read every Sunday, and that we all share in the benefits of community.
The heart and soul of our community is our Program Council, which is comprised of the leaders of every Tapestry team, be it one person or many. The PC meets monthly via Zoom to share information, challenges and the successes of everyone’s work. This is where new ideas 💡 are born, problems are solved, and, hopefully, where leaders become recharged and excited about the fulfillment of their goals.
If you are a past, current or prospective leader of any church group, you are encouraged to attend PC meetings. It is the perfect place to learn about the workings of our church and the many wonderful people who make things happen. And we really need your insights and life experiences as we brainstorm ideas impacting the operation of our church.
Read More and Comment on the Stewardship Blog
Circle of Trees Multigenerational Spiritual Formation
Circle of Trees is a multi-generational program of eight workshops that nurture deep connection with trees, nature, and all of earth's living creatures. The program uses trees as an entry point to understand and connect with life on earth. Across many cultures, trees are recognized as a symbol for life on earth—for example, the biblical Tree of Life. Even young children understand trees as sustainers of life, fundamental engines of life on earth as we know it. Trees create and purify the air we breathe. They house and provide resources for myriad creatures, including humans. They bring us peace, joy, and delight.
This program will:
- Provide a basic understanding of why trees are, literally, “providers of life”
- Identify threats to trees and the web of life and provide inspiration to take action
- Explore using methods that are spiritual, non-intellectual, with the hope of fostering deep connection
- Provide meaningful ways in which participants can actively promote the health of trees and, by extension, the web of life
- Reinforce the concept of interdependence as expressed in the seventh Unitarian Universalist Principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”
- Affirm that stewardship of the earth is an explicit act of Unitarian Universalist faith.
Tapestry will offer Circle of Trees during worship on the 3rd Sunday of each month from September - April. Plan on likely going outside and be prepared for the session to last 60-90 minutes. The opportunity will be announced during worship and those interested in participating will leave after announcements.
Please reach out to the leader directly for any questions.
November 17 - Trees, Connected to All Life with Justin Changalpet
December 15 - Trees, Sanctuary for the Spirit with Todd Mills
January 19 - Trees, From Peril to Progress with Melissa Huckabay & Jasmine Pantuso
February 16 - Council Among Trees, Part 1 with Dawn Newcomer & Elisa Kaplan
March 16 - Council Among Trees, Part 2 with Grace Ngo
April 20 - Come be with the Trees with James Moore
#UUTapestryHTX #UnitarianUniversalist #ReligiousEducation #uuHouston #CircleofTrees #Multigen
Share-the-Plate
October's share-the-plate offering is going to West Street Recovery, whose mission is to connect communities to the resources that they need to not only rebuild after climate disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, but to build communities that are resilient, secure and stronger than before.
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
Tapestry Board Meetings
Your Tapestry Board of Trustees is meeting monthly.
When: 2nd Thursday of each month beginning at 5:30 pm.
Where: On Tapestry’s Thursday Zoom account unless otherwise published.
View the upcoming agenda by clicking HERE.
Tapestry Disc Golf!
Disc Golf GroupMe 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 GroupMe group for notifications on the day 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.
The SIGN-UP list is posted on the white bulletin board at Tapestry. Also you can email dg@uutapestry.org with your phone number or email address for getting an invite to join the GroupMe Disc Golf group. You will get a GroupMe Disc Golf group event notification whenever anyone posts an upcoming disc golf game event with the date, time, and location for the game. Then, if you're in the GroupMe Disc Golf group and 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. To learn more, request to join the Tapestry Disc Golfers Facebook group, or email dg@uutapestry.org. See you on the course!
Upcoming Events From Our Calendar:
November 22 (Friday), 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Disc Golf V-Beer Meeting
Weekly Friday 4 PM to 5:50 PM disc golf v-beer Zoom meeting
November 23 (Saturday), 8:00 PM - 8:15 PM: Sunday at Tapestry Huddle
Who: All teams involved in Sunday's activities are welcome
What: Open zoom chat for those who may need to touch base about the Sunday service, greeting, hospitality, and events.
Agenda: Touch-Base for Sunday 15 min max.
- What do you need to know?
- Review flow of Sunday
- Center your attention: theme & tone for Sunday
- Alisha's asks if needed
November 24 (Sunday), 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM: Youth Group 5th-12th graders
Tweens & Teens 5th grade thru 12th are welcome at Tapestry UU of Houston Youth Group Meetings
We will meet in the Youth Room at CJCN, which is upstairs from 1:15-2:15pm on at least two Sundays per month plus additional activities for the 2024-2025 church year.
Contact Rev. Alisha if accommodations are needed at tapestryminister@gmail.com
Primary leads are Rev. Alisha Mills, Laurie Buffington, Grace Ngo
Meeting Dates
please check against the calendar due to potential changes to this initial summary below
9/22 Mabon activities
10/6 Offsite at Dawn & Elisa's Neighborhood clubhouse - Bring a dish, kickball, and Kids Against Maturity
10/20 Children's Sabbath with the little kids & Halloween Movie with the littles too
11/10 - Voting Game (Need 2nd Adult volunteer this week)
11/24 - Service Project
Thanksgiving Week Camping
(Feel free to join us Camping or simply for Thanksgiving Dinner at Woodsy Hollow in Livingston the week the kids are off) There will definitely be a trip to the Rock Shop, HUGE Thanksgiving Dinner at the campground banquet room, kayaking, fishing, s'more, and basketball. Email campers@uutapestry.org for questions about renting a trailer, or the event on Thursday. You do not have to camp to join us for Thanksgiving day. If you want to join us and don't have questions, book a site at woodsyhollow.com and tell them you are with the Tapestry group then email and let us know you're joining us!
12/8/24 - Games & Cookie Eating
Holiday Break
12/24 - Christmas Eve
Join us at Tapestry for Carols & Hot Chocolate with Youth playing Peanuts Christmas Bingo for prizes after.
12/31 - Game Night NYE
1/5 - Planning Meeting (parents welcome)
MLK Jr Weekend - 9th Grade and Up can attend the regional Youth event
1/26 - Youth Group Meeting, planning dependent activity
2/9 - Youth Group Meeting, planning dependent activity
2/14 - Parent's Night Out, Youth Group helps with younger kids
2/23 - Youth Group Meeting, planning dependent activity
3/9 - Benevolent Bay Youth Island offsite at Juge Family Neighborhood Clubhouse
Spring Break Week
For those who are in town the Week of March 9-16 I suggest in our planning meeting we schedule an outing to a museum, art event, movie, etc. AND an Earth Day service project plan
3/30 - Youth Group Meeting, planning dependent activity
Easter Weekend
4/18 - School day off - outing?
4/20 - Easter Event optional with littles
5/4 - During Annual Meeting, Youth Island
5/25 - Youth Sunday, kids & youth run worship
November 24 (Sunday), 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Bonhoffer film watch party
Bonhoffer at 3pm Willowbrook AMC
November 25 (Monday) - December 1 (Sunday): Rev. Alisha Out of Office
November 27 (Wednesday) - November 30 (Saturday): Tapestry UU Thanksgiving Camping
Everyone is invited to the Thanksgiving Camping Extravaganza! Whether you have a tent, an RV, or just want to come up for the day, you are welcome.
If you need to borrow a tent, we have supplies between all of us and we can make this happen.
Are you interested in an RV? Tracy Cook is an expert at navigating RVShare.com, which is FREE to use. She can give you advice or even sit with you through the process. Don’t have a tow hitch, but still want to try out an RV? Well, Tracy knows how to do that, too! Several people offer delivery, set-up, and pick up services for an additional fee.
Where are we camping? Woodsy Hollow RV Resort and Campground! The website is: http://woodsyhollow.com/.
If you wish to attend, please let us know at camping@uutapestry.org and contact them directly at (936) 365-CAMP (2265) or through the link on their website.
Alisha has set the dates of Wednesday, November 27, through Sunday, December 1, for the Campout. You do not have to stay for the entire time! Come for a day, if that works best for you.
What should I bring?
Entertainment! A deck of cards, your favorite board game, dice, drawing materials or coloring books with colorful pens or pencils, whatever YOU like to do.
Food! Between all of us, there’s usually too much food, ha! So if you just want to come and help consume the bounty, that would be fine. Fellowship is important. But if you have a special dish, or something that you want on the table because it’s not Thanksgiving without it, please bring it. George Cook is providing a Smoked Turkey! NOTE: oven space is at a premium, so if you have a crockpot or Instant Pot, that would be ideal. For ease of cleaning, we will have crockpot liners up at the church until Bread Communion on the 24th. Take one if you need it, or buy/use a silicone insert if you are opposed to a disposable plastic bag.
One thing we are missing is S’Mores supplies for a campfire each evening. If you have loooong skewers, bring them! If you want to melt marshmallows, bring some! Love the crunchy snap of a good graham cracker, pack those to share! And the options for chocolate are endless! Bars, Reese’s cups, Nutella…
A sign-up sheet for meals and snacks is coming soon, so check back!
November 20 (Wednesday): Transgender Day of Remembrance
Annual observance for LGBTQIA+ affirming communities to gather in memory and honor of the lives lost due to hate crimes of gender non-conforming people.
November 21 (Thursday): CJCN Hosting Spring Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service
November 22 (Friday), 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: UBarU Virtual Zoomba
Every Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Zumba for Body and Spirit - Dance as a spiritual practice, for all ages (adults and kids), genders, abilities, and fitness levels. Set an intention for joy, energy, movement, and community. Open to UUs and wider community, led by Community Minister Rev. Erin Walter. Questions or song requests, contact erinjwalter@gmail.com
link to join
Thank you for your interest and readership...
Newsletter editor, Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
newsletter@uutapestry.org