Dear Reader,
This is the Monday, September 28, 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:
How Owning a Dog is Like Choosing Love
by Susan Blackmore
The emotional, psychological, and evolutionary significance of dogs is intertwined with humanity. Our canine partners are even more than emotional healers, loyal companions, and mirrors of unconditional love. Dogs know how to "do love". Susan Blackmore will share perspectives from her personal life as a serial foster of rescues and handler of a medical alert service dog.
Announcements:
The Pagan Pages: September Meeting: Summary
by Tracy Cook on 9/28/2026
Alrighty, Folks! We had a great meeting this month, with lots of laughter and learning!
This month, we talked about things we can do to honor and celebrate the Full Moon. We talked about charging some water with the energies from the Full Moon. Fill a glass container - a cleaned-out jar is fine, or use something nicer if you’d prefer. Set it outside or on a windowsill for the night before, the night of, and the night after a Full Moon. You can then use the water for several tasks:
- Cleanse your tools
- Add it to a spray bottle and cleanse a room. This would be similar to smudging a room with sage. You can also clap your hands in the corners of the room.
- Add it to your bath water
- Use it for blessings. My younger son asked for Moon Water on his head the day he took tests.
We also talked about harvesting, and what this means for non-gardeners. What habits have you been growing? Celebrate this! Look back at where you started the journey, and see how far you’ve come!
We talked about gratitude journaling. My BFF has a daily practice which she shares on Facebook. She says sometimes these are grand moments, but some are small moments that would otherwise go unnoticed. You could also write these down and keep these more to yourself. The noticing is the point here.
One member shared her learning about reading tea leaves. She made a presentation sharing the history of reading tea leaves, which was fascinating! We looked at some examples of shapes, and learned that some people also did a similar reading with coffee grounds. Then she shared the style of cup she used, and did a reading of her own tea leaves. I tell you what, this experience made me decide to dig out my grandmother’s china tea cup (it might even be my great-grandmother’s?) and give this a try!
We were scheduled to talk about Samhain (pronounce Sah-wen) before the actual day, so I’m assigning homework for this one, ha! Look up how it’s celebrated, and bring any questions you may have. We will discuss the different forms this ritual may take, such as Dia de Los Muertos and Halloween, and the various traditions associated with them. We will share the resources I have, too.
Read More and Comment on The Pagan Pages Blog
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 from 3pm-7pm, 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.
Submit Photos of Your Pets!!!
Calling all pet owners! Worship Team would like you to send one picture of your pet (dog, cat, bunny, turtle whatever) to worship@uutapestry.org by Friday, October 2, so we can project them in the slideshow on October 4. Our presenter on Sunday will share her experiences and perspectives as a 'serial foster', and is requesting *your* pictures to showcase, too.
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
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
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 Caring Team
Upcoming Events From Our Calendar:
September 28 (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 28 (Monday), 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Worship Team Meeting
This meeting is to discuss ongoing Worship Team tasks
October 2 (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.
October 3 (Saturday), 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Cooking and Eating Covenant Group
These meetings will be either potluck-style events or demonstrations. You are welcome to attend any of these events, even if you don’t cook! Everyone needs to eat, correct?!
October 3 (Saturday), 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Writing Your UU 'Elevator Speech'
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! 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!
October 4 (Sunday), 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Birthday Sunday
October 1 (Thursday), 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Spring Interfaith Council's Women's Voices Group
Women’s Voices is an interfaith discussion group that meets once a month for discussion based on a book they are reading. From time to time they also share a social time together.
Northwoods Presbyterian Church, 3320 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston TX 77068
If you'd like to know more about this group, please contact Nancy Agafitei. Her email address is: nancy.agafitei@gmail.com
October 2 (Friday) - October 4 (Sunday): UU the Vote Solidarity Summit
The Texas UU Justice Ministry, UU the Vote, and Side with Love are so excited to welcome you to Texas, alongside UU congregations from across Houston and our state and local justice partners. This is a powerful chance to come together in solidarity and skill-building, in a crucial state for defending democracy, human rights, and the planet. All welcome!
Come for the whole weekend if you can, or just one or two days if time is limited. After you fill out the form, TXUUJM will follow-up soon with the full agenda, opportunities for carpooling, home hospitality, childcare, and more.
REGISTER HERE
Thank you for your interest and readership...
Newsletter editor, Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
newsletter@uutapestry.org