Dear Reader,
This is the Monday, September 14, 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:
Holy Wounds: Healing from Religious Trauma in UU Spaces
by Monica White
Monica White, the Pastafarian Minister, presents: Holy Wounds: Healing from Religious Trauma in UU Spaces.
The road to UU can be rocky. Let’s take some time to acknowledge the pain that can come from any form of organized religion, and remind ourselves that while we purport to offer a safe space for all, there is still a lot of inherent anger, fear, and ingrained trauma that we must overcome with our outreach.
This is an attempt to offer some nontraditional relatability from the pulpit, which can feel scary to many people…and to let those people know that Tapestry welcomes them, too.
If you're unable to join us in person, Zoom is still an option by clicking HERE.
Announcements:
Announcing: UU 'Elevator Speech' Session
What does being a UU mean to you?
Such a short question with so many answers. And as UUs, we acknowledge that everybody's perspective may be a little different. That's part of our beauty, isn't it?
Join the Nominating Committee on Saturday, October 3rd, for a Faith Forward initiative created by UU Dallas. In this group setting, which will be available both at Tapestry and on Zoom, write your own answer, called an Elevator Speech, to help answer this question comprehensively and succinctly for anyone who asks. Save the date: Saturday, October 3rd! More details to follow closer to the event. We do know that for those who attend in person, Spooky Snacks will be provided by the Cooking and Eating Covenant Group. We look forward to writing our truths together with you!
Register by clicking HERE.
A Welcome Message From Our Minister
Dear Tapestry Friends,
A very happy September to each of you. My name is Rev. Dr. Laura McGuire, and I am honored to be the new quarter-time minister at Tapestry UU Church. This being my first month with you all, I am enjoying the journey of onboarding and getting ready for a year of joyful engagement ahead. I now have a minister’s email where you can reach me and a scheduling link. Please note that the scheduling link only works for my availability on Mondays, and this month I have a slightly different schedule because of the High Holy Days.
Below is the email and my availability for this month. If you would like to meet with me on a day that is not on Monday, feel free to reach out to schedule that separately.
I look forward to joining you virtually on September 27th for my first sermon, where we’ll touch on a bit more of my story and how I came to be here with you all. If you have specific questions you would like me to answer about my journey to UU ministry, feel free to email them before the 18th so I can include them in what I share.
I look forward to continuing on this year’s journey with you all and seeing how we can both strengthen and grow this beloved community.
If you would like to see more about my innovative ministry work and personal story, you can visit www.drlauramcguire.com.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Laura McGuire
Save The Date - Cross-Stitch-Along with Tapestry, 9/21/26 @ 6pm, Monica's House! FREE KITS!
Come Cross Stitch with the Tapestry Fiber Arts Group! We have been gifted a huge haul of full cross-stitch kits from the Decluttering Group, with varying difficulties available from beginner to expert hobbyist. First come, first served: pick your kit, and let's stitch together! Monica will be there with tips, tricks, and troubleshooting for your particular cross-stitch journey.
This will be hosted at Monica's house; the address is available in the calendar. Looking forward to seeing you there!
UBarU News: Fall Events at UBARU
by Tracy Cook on 9/8/2026
September 11-14: Creative Arts (NEW!)
Bring your art projects to work on, share, and collaborate with friends at UBarU! Formerly known as “Fiber Arts” but we have expanded the range of projects. Come join the Fun!
September 18-21: Writers’ Retreat
Come with your drafts, finished products, and empty pages. All genres welcome, from fiction to memoir, from poetry to sermon.
October 2-4: Bioblitz
Over the weekend we will have time for learning, sharing and fellowship, and gathering info about plants and other wildlife at UBarU
October 16-18: Women’s Retreat
Every fall and spring UU women-aligned folks gather for a weekend of relaxing, having fun and Sharing Our Stories. Please join us for this Friday evening through Sunday morning retreat at UBarU. ALL ARE WELCOME!
October 16-18: Men’s Retreat
You are invited to join other Men-aligned folks from UU churches across Texas who will gather for a weekend retreat at UBarU Camp & Retreat Center near Kerrville. Come and enjoy fellowship in the Texas Hill Country. Rest, relax, enjoy delicious meals, and use the time as a break from your normal routines and schedules.
November 6-8: GenderfUUl
The Genderfuul retreat is an affirming retreat where trans, non-binary and agender UUs can build community with each other. From nature walks to spiritual discussions and crafts, we hope that each person is able to relax and connect with the sacredness of being genderful. Our chaplain will foster an environment where everyone is encouraged to acknowledge and value a wide variety of identities, experiences, feelings, and vocabulary.
Read More and Comment on the UBarU News Blog
Share-the-Plate
September's share-the-plate offering is going to Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC). Since 1977, the Houston Area Women’s Center has helped countless women, children and families affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Cooking Covenant Group: October: Spooky Foods! Potluck-Style
by Tracy Cook on 8/26/2026
It’s Fall, Y’all!
Football season starts, the sun is rising a little later and setting a little earlier each day, and soon the weather will be crisp and cool(er). I’ve already started serving myself Pumpkin Spice coffee - iced, but that still counts!
Next month, we will have our Annual Tradition Spooky Foods Event, held up at Tapestry because it has waaaaaaaaay more table space for our treats. Saturday, October 3, starting at 3:00 PM
What can you bring? Anything that has a ‘spooky’ name works! I’ve brought Oreo Cookie Butter, which is black as night, and called it Melted Witch or some such - to be honest, I don’t remember the scary names I pick for things from year to year, ha! Or Headless Gingerbread People, with ‘blood’ (icing dyed red) dripping from where their heads were cut off. Need inspiration? Google spooky foods and pick something to try!
Does it have to be made from scratch? Absolutely not! I brought chocolate-covered raisins one year and called it Monster Poop! Cheese Poofs, those orange balls you can buy in the chips and snacks aisle, make great Pumpkin Poop. I sense a theme here…
Do I have to bring something? Nope! You can just show up and eat. Several of us loooooove to create fun things for people to eat, so Cooking and Eating Covenant Group *always* has more food than we can eat. So come and help us devour all of these yummy and spooky treats!
A few notes, if you are bringing something:
- Have it ready to go - heated up if the dish is served warm, chilled if it's served cold.
- Write a list of ingredients so people with allergies or food sensitivities are aware. Full recipes not needed, just a list of ingredients will do.
- Savory foods are also welcome! We want a variety of deliciousness!
- Please bring some leftovers containers so you can take treats for later. Even if you don’t make anything, you are invited to take food away.
Read More and Comment on the Cooking Covenant Group Blog
WASG Accepting New Members!
Registration for the Women Aligned Spirituality Group 2026-27 season is now open! We will meet once a month from September through May. We will be exploring a wide variety of spiritual practices while fostering opportunities for meaningful discussions and connections. New members are welcome to join WASG for the first two months. Then our group will be closed in order to create a sacred space of sharing. Meetings are usually on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month at Elisa and Dawn’s house from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. However, due to the church wide camping trip, WASG will meet on Tuesday, September 22. Then in October, we are planning a “day trip” to Coldspring TX on Saturday, October 17 - times TBA. For more information and to sign up, please see co leads Erika Calderon and Laurie Buffington, or email us at wasg@uutapestry.org.
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
We're Looking for More Liturgists!
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:
September 14 (Monday), 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Pastoral Care Services
Rev. Dr. Laura McGuire will be available to schedule pastoral care sessions. Please use the following link to schedule your time with them.
https://calendly.com/ncea/tapestry
You can also email them at TapestryMinister@gmail.com
September 14 (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.
September 14 (Monday), 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Worship Team Meeting
This meeting is to discuss ongoing Worship Team tasks
September 14 (Monday), 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Program Council
September 16 (Wednesday), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Mahjong and More
Please join me, Chris Lowe, at Odin’s Place, formerly Dragon’s Lair, on 249. on Wednesday, August 19 from 6 to 8 for the reintroduction of game night. In this case, we will be starting with Mahjong. We shall learn how to play American Mahjong. It’s similar to Dominoes, poker, hearts, and spades, except with Chinese “dominoes”— or tiles. We have several sets arriving to play with us. It’s a game of strategy where you need to be on your toes, quick, fast thinking and have good hand-eye coordination. no need to bring anything. There will be plenty of food at the tavern inside the store. We may even be playing in there because they have the smaller tables which would be ideal. 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 want to learn how to play Mahjong, but support their partners.
If interested, please text or email me. The more the merrier, plus I’ll be celebrating my birthday with friends, so that means you and yours.
September 18 (Friday) - September 20 (Sunday): Camping at Goose Island State Park
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.
September 18 (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