Dear Reader,
This is the Wednesday, October 9, 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:
Intentional Antifragility
by Andy Savidge
Life will always expose you to risks, uncertainty, chaos, and random shocks. Being able to get better and better as you grow from these types of life stressors takes a growth mindset. Improving the quality of your life takes daily growth actions that create your own physical, mental, and emotional antifragility. Andy Savidge will talk about some of his daily antifragility strategies and actions that help him thrive.
If you're unable to join us in person, Zoom is still an option by clicking HERE.
Announcements:
Cooking Covenant Group: Tamales: A Demonstration
by Tracy Cook on 10/7/2024
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On November 2, from 3:00-whenever we finish, we will make TAMALES!!! If you’ve always wanted to know how to make these tasty little packages of yumminess, please bring a filling of your choosing, already cooked. How much filling do you bring?! I would recommend that you bring enough to fill a 9X13 casserole. That’s enough for you to have some, and also share with others. You will walk away with at least a dozen, but probably two dozen. I guess it depends on how many we consume directly from the pot they steam in, ha!
If you can’t make a filling for whatever reason, then just come over and see how the tamales are assembled. Lend a hand, laugh your butt off, and leave with a dozen tamales. No charge for this, but you do have to fill them and then stay until the tamales are cooked.
Some fillings I have made in the past:
ALL gluten-free!!!
- Sweet Potato with Ginger (vegan)
- Black Bean (vegan)
- Black Bean and Queso Fresco
- King’s Ranch
- Vegetarian King’s Ranch
- Pulled Pork (takes two days)
- Shredded Chicken
- Chicken Mole (takes two days, or take a shortcut and use bottled mole sauce - no judgment!)
There’s more, but you get the idea! Just a tip, though…You don’t want the filling to be too wet. For the King’s Ranch versions, I drained all the canned items and the cooked veggies, and added cream cheese instead of cheddar. Look for more inspiration on Pinterest or Google, or think of what your favorite filling might be. Be creative! Make a dessert version, that’s what the sweet potato one is!
We will meet at Dawn and Elisa’s home. Maybe next year I can host, but not yet 🙁 Please contact Elisa if you need the address. I made a mistake last time and sent someone on a wild goose chase…
Also in November is Bread Communion! Oh, I do love me some bread! This is one of my favorite UU traditions. I enjoy hearing about everyone’s family recipe, hearing their story of their bread contribution, and tasting all the yummy loaves. Whether it comes from a bakery or is homemade, it’s all good!
This service will be held up at Tapestry on November 24. Bring your bread or bread-based dish sliced and ready to serve for Fellowship Hour.
Read More and Comment on the Cooking Covenant Group Blog
Thanksgiving Camping Trip
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!
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.
Women Aligned Spirituality Group-Sacral Chaakra 10/17/2024
When: Thursday 10/17/24.
Where: Dawn and Elisa's House
Theme: Sacral Chakra
What to Bring: snack
How to Prepare: Read / watch info links
Readers: https://7wisdoms.org/chakras/sacral-chakra/
Watchers: https://youtu.be/CUzvM7wTW9A?si=19EnQeE5UeYWU1Sv
Letter From Our President: Month Four is Here!
by Tracy Cook on 9/25/2024
Hello, and welcome to October!
Wow, this year is passing waaaaay faster than I think it is, ha! I keep thinking we have PLENTY of time until Halloween, or SO MUCH time until the Camping Trip over Thanksgiving, or even until the Holiday Treats event at the start of December…
So, what actually *is* happening this month at Tapestry?! Well, on the first Saturday of the month Cooking Covenant Group will be hosting Spooky Foods! What a way to start the Spooky Month! For full details, see the Cooking Group’s blog or the Newsletter. Kids are welcome, so bring the little monsters with you.
Rev. Alisha has scheduled some recurring events for Tapestry people to attend. One event is a spiritual practice, the Be Still with Me days. These have both a morning and an evening time to meet. If you want to try meditating, but haven’t yet found the best way to work this into your day, go to one of the events. We are heading into a busy time of year, and so it is important to make time for yourself. Remember the lessons from the Autumn Equinox and keep the balance.
The second regularly-scheduled event is the Tapestry Playspace times. If you are looking for a space to craft and chat, this is it. Maybe you’re looking for some other people to play a game? Bring your game to Tapestry! I even heard a rumor that there might be karaoke happening…
October 20th will be the next Circle of Trees session. I enjoyed the conversations and activities for our first session, so I am looking forward to our second session! We will also kick off our annual Green Bean Casserole Kit collection for Northwest Assistance Ministries. More details coming soon.
I’m sitting here with my iced coffee, Pumpkin Spice of course, and wishing for cooler weather. What are you looking forward to?!
Read More and Comment on the Letter From Our President Blog
Invitation to Emerson's End of Life Planning Sessions
Good afternoon, everyone,
On behalf of Emerson's Lay Pastoral Ministry Team, I would like to invite your members and friends to an informative session addressing planning for end of life issues and events.
I am attaching here a flyer which we might hope you could use to publicize the event in your congregation’s events and calendar.
We tried to have the flyer answer as many of the anticipated questions as possible. There is also a contact number for us.
If you have any questions, please give me a call. Thank you in advance for any action you might take to invite folks in your circles to participate. We would love to have a full house!
Click here for the flyer.
Reverend Ed Proulx
Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
minister@emersonhouston.org
713-782-8250 x125
Social Justice Corner: Actions You Can Take This Week
Voting: We are writing postcards to area residents through UU the Vote, encouraging them to show up at the polls! To participate, stop by the postcard table during fellowship hour, or talk to Melissa Huckabay or Patti Vlach. Even a few postcards makes a difference!
Voting: Check your voter registration to make sure it’s up-to-date! For Harris County, go to https://www.hctax.net/Voter/SearchFL and for Montgomery, go to https://elections.mctx.org/vrlookup.asp?curlang=English. The deadline for voter registration in Texas is October 7.
A Little More Voting: If you have time and enthusiasm for getting out the vote, here’s another opportunity—write voter registration letters through Vote Forward. These letters, sent to critical states, encourage potential voters to register. To participate, go to https://tinyurl.com/d7k6axwr.
Know of actions to include in future newsletters? Email seejustice@uutapestry.org. Also let us know if you took any of these actions!
Wednesday's are Back!
On average twice per month a BYOE (Everything) playspace for Wednesday evenings from 6pm-8pm at the church.
Brown-bag food for yourself and your family. No pork or shellfish please. Responsible consumption of adult beverages is allowed.
Bring a game, a fiber craft, papercrafts, toys, etc. Even plan to sing Karayoke if you like!
Enjoy FRamily time to refresh and reconnect. All ages are welcome. Visitors must register to attend unless accompanied by a Tapestry member or friend https://forms.gle/8kHXvCvdB1zsyEdD7
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.
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 about the session:
September 15 - Come into the Circle with Tracy Cook
October 20 - Trees, Providers of Life with Jessica Speed
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
Mixed Bag Book Club
Our club will be vacationing until September. See you then.
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:
October 9 (Wednesday), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Be Still With Me Evening @ Tapestry UU of Houston
Be Still With Me is a meditation series offered by Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston.
Our Goal: to offer a space for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer for all ages and through a variety of methods.
Our Belief: meditation and prayer is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Rather, mediation and prayer is an opportunity to explore what helps a person connect. Connect to the nurturing spark within. Connect to the interconnected web that connects us all.
Our Plan: We aim to offer Be Still With Me at least twice per month at our Church or in nature when the weather permits.
Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston - 5400 Fellowship Lane, Spring, TX 77379 (Inside Congregation Jewish Community North)
Main entrance will be open to registered visitors and Tapestry members and friends from 6pm-6:55pm
Things you might want to bring: Yoga mat, meditation cushion, journal, pen, water, prayer beads, rosary, silent mantra
All visitors must register.
Tapestry Members, frequent visitors, and friends do not need to register. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event. If you register after the window has closed we will invite you to our next event.
https://forms.gle/j7iqbnj6Z9Q2uw5f6
Our Evening Schedule:
6:00pm: You are welcome to bring a brown-bag meal for yourself and your family if you would like to join us for food and fellowship. No pork or shellfish please if we are meeting at the church.
6:40pm Rev. Alisha will offer guidance on various forms of meditation and prayer.
6:55pm Doors will lock and no further admittance will be allowed.
7:00pm Meditation will begin
8:00pm Bell ring to indicate ending and quiet exit
October 10 (Thursday), 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Board Meeting
Board meetings are the 2nd Thursday of each month via Zoom. Any member of Tapestry UU Church is welcome to attend.
October 11 (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
October 12 (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
October 14 (Monday), 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: WITS Meeting
The Website and Information Technology Systems team meets on the 2nd Monday off each month on Zoom.
Do you have an interest in website design and development? Would you like to learn how to update our website? Contact wits@uutapestry.org to join our next meeting.
(Open to Tapestry members of more than one-year-standing due to a high level of security permissions granted on our website.)
October 15 (Tuesday), 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Be Still With Me Morning @ Lakewood Crossing
Be Still With Me is a meditation series offered by Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston.
Our Goal: to offer a space for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer for all ages and through a variety of methods.
Our Belief: meditation and prayer is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Rather, mediation and prayer is an opportunity to explore what helps a person connect. Connect to the nurturing spark within. Connect to the interconnected web that connects us all.
Our Plan: We aim to offer Be Still With Me at least twice per month at our Church or in nature when the weather permits.
Location Information: Lakewood Crossing Park 11502 Cypresswood Dr, Houston, TX 77070
Weather dependent - under 65 degrees/over 85 degrees/rain we will cancel
Things you might want to bring: Yoga mat, meditation cushion, bug spray, sun hat, journal, pen, water, sunscreen
All visitors must register.
Tapestry Members, frequent visitors, and friends do not need to register.
Registration closes 24 hours prior to the event. If you register after the window has closed we will invite you to our next event.
https://forms.gle/j7iqbnj6Z9Q2uw5f6
We will gather at 8:30am for a short fellowship, breakfast, and/or beverages at the main picnic areas just in front of the parking lot. We will transition to a short teaching and answer questions at 8:50 with meditation beginning at 9am. You may feel free to stay the entire hour or leave when you are ready. Rev. Alisha or another experienced meditation facilitator will remain for the full hour then gather meditation items at 10am to return home in silence.
October 15 (Tuesday), 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Worship Team Meeting
Weekly team meeting to discuss upcoming services and current projects.
October 11 (Friday): National Coming Out Day
Annual observance to celebrate LGBTQIA+ equality and living authentically by coming out and sharing publicly your authentic self.
October 11 (Friday) - October 12 (Saturday): CJCN Celebrates Yom Kippur
October 11 (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