This is the first service in our series on Transformation.

Imagine that your doctor calls you up one day and tells you, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Bad news is that you’re going to die within a month. Good news is that if you significantly change your lifestyle right now and for the next month and beyond, you’ll live a long and happy life.”  Could you make the change?

 Last in our series on Suffering and Hope.  We are rational people who make irrational choices.  Whether it is on spending, saving, procrastinating or taking leaps of faith, we rational people let our emotions sway all kinds of decisions.

 We search for meaning, even along the most painful, messy parts of our journey.  Strands of suffering and hope are woven together to create the tapestry that is our life. Experience Hallelujah in word and song with Rev. Joanna and musician Jen Rathbun.

 We don’t always get to choose the circumstances of our dying. Most of the time we don’t even think about death until it comes. When loved ones die, how can grief turn again toward hope? How does life’s suffering and hope inform eventual death?

 Since we likely fail more often than we succeed - at least if we are taking appropriate risks - it is important to learn to do this well. In the first of our series on Suffering and Hope we look at the fear of failure and lessons learned.

 Many UUs find themselves making choices when forming their own families that are very different from the families they came from. We celebrate the diversity of families and the power of choice and we acknowledge that there are unique challenges in making these choices.

Integrity. Compassion. Self-reliance. These principles that shaped our theological heritage are the same ones we form as parents and as the village that supports our families in all their varied forms.

Pundits and preachers have tried to paint "family values" as the exclusive domain of the religiously conservative. Come explore the family values that we hold dear.

We can change behavior we dislike by changing our response to that behavior. A look at how exotic animal training can shape our family relationships for the better.

Celebration Sunday is when we are called to consider deepening spiritually through demonstrating and celebrating our generosity. Join us for this fun day!

Love is wonderful - except when it’s terrible. Much of our music, daydreams and preoccupations revolve around love, approval and appreciation.

If we don't find fulfillment in a relationship, can we bring it?

As individuals each of us comes into a church with as many questions as answers, including "Do I belong? Can I find a safe harbor in which to explore my own life struggles? How can I, and my family, make a meaningful difference through our involvement here?"

Bring your whole, unique self into our church, but expect your beliefs and assumptions to be challenged. In what ways are we better together?

 In the 90s, the answer to every psychological issues was "codependence." How do we deal with the complex reality that both individuality and community are central to our well-being?

 Religious liberals generally don’t talk about this much. But sometimes we have to. Most of all, it’s important to acknowledge our own propensity to evil.

The first of three services on a liberal religious concept of Evil and how we might respond.

A journey from belief to disbelief to something else.

As the Wheel of Life turns again and midwinter must eventually yield to spring, we dedicate our children; name new births; new marriages; we honor anniversaries and recall the departed.

Please contact the Rev. Joanna Crawford at minister@nwcuuc.org if you would like your child(ren) dedicated in the church and provide her with names and ages.

What if science and religion don’t conflict? What if they are different windows into Mystery?

Share Christmas Eve with us; bring your family and friends. There will be a homily, carols, readings and the glow of candlelight.

If humanity has evolved, has a collective imagination of God moved from primitivism to a higher ethical elevation? Another way for UUs to think about the concept of “God.”

We’re not a religion that says there is no God; and we’re not a religion that says you must believe in a particular God. What do UUs believe about God?

Each of us has gifts beyond measure. We live in a culture that promotes the right to hoard those gifts for our own benefit. But what if the secret to blessing ourselves is to bless others, to plant trees from which we will never eat?

The special needs of my brother and cousin planted early seeds of compassion within me. Grateful for countless unearned blessings of life, I learned from friends and strangers who help heal the wounded among us. Did you know you are a blessing, too? How do you offer your blessings?

While religious community has a history of passing along blessings, the other side of blessing is that the denial of blessing can be a curse. Today we consider the impact of the presence or lack of religious blessings in our lives. How do our spiritual lenses affect the way we find blessings?

Our communities join together this Sunday before Thanksgiving to celebrate the gifts of bread as a symbol of human diversity and blessing to each other. We invite you to join us and bring a bread that is special to you, perhaps as a symbol of your heritage, or any other special meaning. Bring also the story of the bread, as we will share our bread and our stories. Service led by the ministers.

 What does that mean? What does it mean to receive a blessing– or not– from a parent (especially a father)? If a child doesn’t receive a blessing, do they receive a curse then, by default? Why is a blessing so important? Rev. Daniel O’Connell, preaching.

 Reverend Kiyimba is founder of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Uganda. He will be speaking on the struggles for gay and lesbian rights in Africa, Uganda in particular.

When is it important to move from acceptance to resistance? When we determine the moral requirement to resist, is there a way both both effective and true to our values? We will take lessons from nonviolent protests. Being prepared for this kind of resistance takes regular spiritual preparation and discipline.

Some things that we resist, we should learn to accept (a family member’s annoying but non-destructive habit). Other things that we accept, we should learn to resist (social injustice). We can learn something from how children "pretend."

Senior Minister Reverend Dr. Daniel O'Connell will be preaching live in 3D at Northwest UU this Sunday.

This sermon is a Fall Fundraiser Service Auction Award Winner. Our senior minister was asked to preach on what wisdom Unitarian Universalists might glean from the Dalai Lama’s work.

How difficult is it for you to admit to making a mistake? How often do you see others openly admit to both error and responsibility? We have developed a culture of self-justification that in the end, makes it difficult to accept both ourselves and others as fallible human beings. What does this mean for our spiritual lives?

 How do we see past and present darkness?

 How do we talk to people about our religion who've never heard of us?

 Where do we find light during the dark night of the soul?

We are excited to present our first multi-site transition sermon from Reverend Daniel O'Connell, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Church of Houston! This Sunday is also the start of our RE program under the local leadership of our first RE Director, Adriana Wilkerson. We invite you to join us!

Connect, Grow, Serve.

We begin my third year in Houston with assembling three churches into one program. We have women and men of integrity and experience who are deciding it would be good to work together to build something greater than anyone can build alone.

After a quarter century of plateau in growth for UUs in Houston, we are aiming for depth rather than breadth. We aim for simplicity rather than complexity. We give up trying to do everything in order to concentrate on doing fewer things very well.

We are fashioning a new way of doing church, building on strengths and moving forward in innovative ways. We are using technology – from lights to screens to video to sound to new software and hardware – in new, collaborative ways that promise to revolutionize how church gets done behind the scenes.

We have a brand new ministry position: campus minister Rev. Bonnie Vegiard at Thoreau and Joanna Crawford at Northwest Community. We are working with two new religious educators.

One of the more exciting prospects is changing the way Sunday service preparation is traditionally done. No longer will staff be in silos geographically and by specialty area. Instead, we have four ministers on three campuses who will be collaborating on the Sunday Service and, those same ministers along with three religious educators, will be collaborating on adult faith formation (Growth Groups). As far as we know, this has never been done the way we’re doing it!

We want to make it as straightforward as possible for new folks to know our
expectations. We want everyone to know (without having to look it up!) what the path is toward a depth-oriented Unitarian Universalism? How can it be explained simply and effectively?

Think about it this way. If you’re at a really good party, you might start out in the foyer, work your way into the living room and finally into the kitchen.

So it is with church: connect, grow, serve. Connect by coming to church. Grow in spiritual depth by joining a Growth Group. And serve by working in one of the seven core ministries of the church.

We’ll have more opportunities for your involvement as we walk through the church year together. It is an exciting time to be a UU in Houston!

– Daniel

A “cathedra” is a seat of authority.  Where that seat is housed is a “Cathedral”.  Since there are many religious “cathedras”, and therefore, many Cathedral “houses” for those seats  - and conflicting pronouncements of authority from those many “seats” within the “houses” - how can there be a World Cathedral?  (Hint: It’s not the Vatican!) 

Ruth will explore with us the perspective of a broad and full experience of a Cathedral found in the most surprising places.  Be with us as she takes us on that journey.    

Water is ever changing, as it takes different forms, and yet it never ceases being water. As we change forms, both as individuals and as a congregation, we learn about what are -- to use the phrase coined by Theodore Parker -- the transient and the permanent in our being.

The Water Communion is an annual liturgical ritual at NWCUUC and most UU churches. We invite you to bring water from your travels to combine with the waters brought by other members, symbolizing our return to our church community.

Why is it that well-meaning, principled, nice people end up in relationships that fall apart?  How can such “good” people get caught up in conflict, and end up bitter towards individuals that they once loved?  It seems that relationships often confound and confuse people, but why? What is it that’s missing in the lives of people when they get bogged down in relationships?  Are extraordinary relationships even possible?  Join us as we discuss these questions and offer several guiding principles that move a person towards extraordinary relationships.

General Assembly (GA) is our annual national meeting of Unitarian Universalist congregations held each June. This year's GA was dubbed "Justice GA."

What made it different? Rev. Paul gives a view from home.

The financial conditions have improved considerably in the past 50 years yet the level of happiness has remained static during this time.

There is a general agreement that material benefits beyond a certain level do not improve the quality of life. The broader objective of Ethics is to improve well-being of individuals and communities in general. The talk will aim to highlight some of the basic theories of ethics and implications of ethics on some of the current issues.

Wisdom is a learning which tends to take years for some and moments for others. Nevertheless, wisdom is a trait most of us seek as we rationalize the world we live in and pass these lessons along. Chase will reveal insights of wisdom that will open your eyes to new ways of looking at the world that surrounds us.

 Multigenerational and Interactive service.

Based on Charlie Rich's tune with the same title, Don Levit will talk about how "I ain't ever growing old, so I keep on rollin' with the flow."

During this session, we will see how another Jewish prophet, son of a carpenter, took the message of previous prophets and distilled them into a short prayer. Although tradition calls it the Lord’s Prayer, many modern theologians have begun calling it the Disciples Prayer. Even though it is in the New Testament, it is not really a Christian prayer, for there were no Christians at the time it was originally spoken, and the traditional author, Jesus, was Jewish. There are no creeds nor doctrine contained in its words, it is a call for living in peaceful community so that everyone has enough, the spirit of Shalom.

Although Micah is among the minor prophets of Israel, his message has as much relevance today as it did 2500 years ago. During this two week sermon series, we will explore his message and how it resonates with the great social movements of the last century, including Civil Rights and occupy Wall Street, and how it is the foundation for the ministry of Jesus, another Jewish prophet. In session 1, we will cover the book of Micah itself, where he speaks of the importance of community, the abuse of power in accumulating wealth, and the corruption among political and religious leaders. With a famous message of peace (…beat their swords into plowshares) and a simple statement about how to get along (…do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God), we will set the stage for the words of another prophet born in Bethlehem.

 The coming out process is one that most people will never experience.

As difficult and trying as it can be, it opens the door to a sense of community and culture.  This intense bond based on shared experience is something we can aspire to share with each other, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  This sermon explores finding the experiences that unite us all using the LGBTQ community as an example.

Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day both had their roots in protest and remembrance. Mothers’ day was a reaction to the sons lost in the Civil War; Fathers’ day was a reaction to the loss of fathers in a mining accident in West Virginia. Today’s message will examine the evolving role of fathers, as well as some current social justice issues that affect fatherhood.

We are the people of the in-between, individuals traveling between spiritual planes and a community for a world in process. As we travel through our individual transformations of faith, how do we act together in the greater realm of possibility?

Dreams are a gateway into reality; they can have an effect on your life as well. Dreams can let you know good things are to come, or they can even help you decide what you want to do with your life.

Come to the YRUU service on June 3rd as we talk about dreams! Hope to see you there!

 The sermon will be interspersed with the stories of several veterans, and family members, from the Civil War to the wars in Iraq.  These compelling stories will be tied together to tell the story of respect for those who defend our freedoms in a new and unique way.

We often speak of leadership without recognizing its complementary discipline, followership, which Rev. Paul will explore in this sermon.

RE Theater presents:

Catastrophic Dogma 

A classic tale of conflict and an enduring message of hope

Written, produced and performed by the 2011-2012 All-age RE class of Northwest Community UU Church.

What kind of person do you want to be, and what can you do to become that person?

We'll explore the roadmap to personal transformation and where you can find shortcuts for the journey ... and along the way, you just might change the world.

Or give a hug.  Or as the amazing choreographer Pina Bausch said, "All I can tell you is you have to get wilder." 

Psychotherapist and author Patti Henry will be joining us to encourage us all to do just that: get a little wilder.  Come join us for a wonderful sermon about reawakening and restoration!

Within every person there are two basic life searches. 

There is a search for individuality – this is a search for freedom to be completely myself. 

At the same time there is a search for unity & community – this is a search for belonging & togetherness. 

But how do we keep our search for freedom from becoming indifferent individualism? How do we keep our search for unity from becoming oppressive conformity? Is it possible to be really free and really together both at the same time? Can we be both uncoerced and unfragmented? Join us as we discuss Freedom & Unity in Tension.

The Resurrection of a spiritual new year: At this time of year we can see the evidence of life budding new again. 

Ancient people viewed the sun's ressurection in Spring after "dying" in Winter as a confirmation that life would renew as the cycle of the earth turned.

The Jesus narrative from Christianity parallels this idea with adherents receiving "new life" from the death and resurrection of Jesus.
 
How can we as UUs find meaning from these two different religions to help us resurrect a spiritual practice that heals us personally and sends us out to do good works and heal the world?

"You can live 20 days without food;

3 days without water;

but you can't live 5 minutes without hope."

Rabbi Segal discusses the importance of positive thinking, the idea that-------you've got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. Research has indicated that those who go through life with a positive attitude enjoy physical lives far better  than those who live with negative attitudes.

We live in a culture of panem et circenses, "bread and circuses." How do we see the reality of the world we live in, and how do serve a mission that calls us to put love into action? Join us as we discuss moving away from an instinct of "just us" to "justice for all."

Homelessness has always been with us.  But our time is unique, and the common image of the homeless has changed.  The recent corruption of home mortgage trading that resulted in the default of homeowners has left thousands of ordinary people homeless. 

The most fortunate of these cohabit with relatives and friends.  Others, less fortunate, live in their cars, sleeping at night in the parking lots of Walmart stores. According to Jack Lander, author of ‘Homelessness’" – “less well known is the ousting of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons from their homes due to having 'comeout'.”   Some of these stories need to be told.  This service will provide, from a UU perspective, a poignant look at ‘homelessness’, to look beyond the need for a ‘house’ and the importance of belonging.

Timothy I and II are letters where Paul, and old man, mentors Timothy, a young man and new church leader.  Timothy II 2:15 was one of my favorite verses, when I was a young man leading a small group overseas. Of all the verses I memorized as a child and teen, it is one of my favorites. This verse has particular lessons for we UUs.

Cy-Fair ISD was rocked not long ago by the tragic suicide of Asher Brown. 

At that same time there was much attention turned toward other tragic deaths by bullying that happened all over the country. 

Join us dressed in your finest pink shirt,dress, hat, or whatever to show your support of the GLBT community.  Let's look at the ways we as a church and individuals can come out, no matter our orientation,  and let everyone know that "It Gets Better".

 A reflection on good deeds and the interdependent web of life.

Unitarian Universalists like good questions, possibly even more than good answers. Most people in North American culture are familiar with Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. What many people forget is the question that prompted Jesus to tell the parable. The question was “And who is my neighbor?”   This question from nearly 2000 years ago is still a good one. This worship service will consider in our seemingly super connected world what the idea of neighbor means to us as individuals and as a Liberal Religious community.

 “Faith is as much about questions as it is about answers.  It is possible to be a believer and a listener at the same time, to be both fervent & searching, to honor the truth of one’s own convictions and the mystery of the convictions of others.”  Krista Tippett in Speaking of Faith.

 …be more logical? 

…prevent the problem now instead of waiting to repair its effects? 

…see that there’s a pattern here? 

When people frustrate us, when we can’t fathom their decisions and actions, temperament differences often play a role.  Groups can have temperaments too. Explore the group personalities of different religions, what they say about our roles in society, and how we can communicate better with those who differ from us.

"Faith" means different things to different people. Where do we find

the root of our faith, personally and religiously? In what do we give
our confidence and trust?

Joanna Fontaine Crawford is a longtime member of NWCUUC. She graduated
from Houston Graduate School of Theology with a Master of Divinity
degree in December 2011 and currently serves Northwoods UU Church and
the Church of the Larger Fellowship as Intern Minister.

Using stories plucked from current events and some from personal experience, Robert Zamora gives examples of why our first principle is an important aspect of our faith.

Service has been pushed back to NOON for this very special occasion....

Come and join us at Noon for Brunch and Burning.  Bring a dish and your New's Years Resolution.  We'll have a nosh and a ritual.  Start the New Year off right with great food and fellowship!!

Coffee, Orange juice and Tomato juice provided.

 Coexist with us for the Christmas Eve candlelight service, where music and stories from a variety of religions and ideals will come together. This wonderful service will start at 6:30 pm, December 24th.

This annual service celebrates the Christmas season with carols, readings, candles and a traditional Moravian Love Feast.

This ritual is a shared communion of rolls and sweet coffee, served by members of the congregation. It is based upon the Agape feast and the meals of the early churches described in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles, which were
partaken in unity and love.

A Lovefeast seeks to strengthen the bonds and the spirit of harmony, goodwill, and congeniality, as well as to forgive past disputes and instead love one another.  

Gerry Carr is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County.
 

The foremost Unitarian theologian of the 20th century was James Luther Adams. We’ll examine the tension between an individual and a religious community– the promise and the perils– and why it is so relevant today

Why would one of Jesus’ early biographers begin his story with such fanciful images of a star wandering around the heavens and foreigners suddenly appearing out of nowhere bringing gifts for a new born child, narratives that are patently false and easily dismissed? Yet, this story endures, being persistently repeated in picture and pageant at this time of the year, so that for Christian and non-Christian alike the story is imprinted on the mind. What gives this story continuing prominence and power is its placement in the helpful category of ‘not factual, but true.’

Whether you were with your family or not for Thanksgiving, finish out this holiday weekend with us.

Join us in breaking bread during our annual Bread Communion.

In addition to the fact that God (aka Ultimate Reality) is really big and God likes change, the five things that I find to be “universals” in world religion are:   1)  Spiritually transformative experiences, 2)  Prayer/Meditation, 3)  The Golden Rule, 4) Faith healing, and 5) Miracle stories.
 
Dr. Ken R. Vincent is a writer and religious experience researcher who is retired from teaching psychology at Houston Community College. Ken has over 150 publications in the areas of psychology and religion.

This is our annual Veterans Day service, honoring those who sustain our right to worship as we choose.  However, we are doing things a bit different, and looking at inspiring examples of military members – from Joshua to the modern day—who teach us a better way of life.

There will be surprises you did not expect.

Of all the elements by which to master one's life, three keys are critical to life-long success - gratitude, love, and acceptance. When we learn to be grateful, love, and accept all that surrounds us, we begin to master our life. Discover how to use these three keys to unlock the mystery and begin to master your life.

We have moved into the season that many world traditions have considered the close of one year and the beginning of the next. It is a time of harvest, not only of the physical fruits of our labor, but of ideas as well. Come and listen to a story about one young woman's experiences, and consider how many of her lessons are just as applicable today as they were at the first telling.

Stories are important in our lives, our history, and our connections. This service weaves together tales of Halloween, ancestors, saints, and loved ones, to sum up being where we truly live.

 This talk will present a brief introduction to Zoroastrianism.  It will talk about the prophet, Zarathushtra, about his theology and doctrines.  Cosmology and Escatology in Zoroastrianism will be discussed.  Some of the impacts of Zoroastrianism on Christianity will also be pointed out.

At this time of year, our Jewish friends are celebrating Yom Kippur, a season of forgiveness – both asking for it and offering it. 

Every religion addresses this important psychological milestone, and in interestingly different ways.  Let’s explore these approaches and then choose – and act on -  our own. 

The service will conclude with a ceremony in which you will have the opportunity to privately ask for and grant forgiveness yourself.

It is well documented that with advancing age, one has a tendency to re-evaluate one’s life, possibly to fulfil the need to explore new meaning or in preparation for the 'final hour.' Does having a strong faith or spiritual belief provide a needed level of comfort during this re-evaluation life stage? This service will explore coming to terms with the process of aging and exploring our life's journey, the role of faith, and the need for spiritual guidance.

 "We become part of all we pray for, and it a part of us."  The Reverend Forrest Church

We have, as we say, different beliefs about the nature and existence of God, but many of us still have a longing to connect with something outside ourselves. What do we, as rational beings who cringe at the idea of receiving divine favor, do with this longing?  Our Universalist theological forebears give us insight into a Unitarian Universalist "way to pray."

Spirit and Wisdom are feminine in Hebrew and Aramaic, but when the Bible was translated into Latin, the Holy Spirit got a sex change!  God in the New Testament is referred to as Spirit and Wisdom (feminine) as well as Father and Word (masculine). 
 
Dr. Ken R. Vincent is a writer and religious experience researcher who is retired from teaching psychology at Houston Community College.  Ken has over 150 publications in the areas of psychology and religion.

A much neglected aspect in our culture is that of peacemaking, of non violent resistance to evil, of the futility and self-destructive nature of hatred and vengeance. 

In a world filled with violence, war & retaliation, how can we be peacemakers?  How can we be peacemakers in our own homes, neighborhoods and workplaces?  How do we muster the courage to stand against injustice?

Join us for the largest annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) joining in worship. This powerful, communal worship experience took place on Sunday morning, June 26, 2011. The offering was donated to Mecklenburg Ministries. Mecklenburg Ministries promotes interfaith relationships, fosters racial and ethnic understanding, and inspires collaboration to address social issues. They envision a community that lives by the highest values and core virtues of its rich faith traditions and respects the dignity of every person.

The Reverends Scott Tayler and Kaaren Anderson preached “Living Outside the Box.” We’ve been encouraged to think outside the box but the greater challenge is to live outside it. Amber Fetner, Music Director, UU Fellowship of Athens, GA, conducted the 2011 GA Choir.

This annual UU tradition, the Water Communion, is how our congregation marks the end of summer journeys, both geographic and spiritual, and the beginning of a new season of learning and growth. Bring a small amount of water that represents a special place that you have been to or wish to visit, whether it is from another place or from your kitchen sink, all waters are welcome.

 How do you describe “Home?”

Is it where you grew up? Is it where you are now? Is it a physical place or a spiritual place? What does home look like?

With no guarantee of answering these questions, let’s explore the topic in sermon and forum.

 What is distinctive about liberal religion? Our understanding of spiritual growth. Come hear why.

 John Lennon made some outrageous, often controversial quotes and comments about religion. Who can forget the outcry of Lennon stating the Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus.' But what was this all about? How was John Lennon’s 'sprirtual message' misinterpreted - or was it? He is a vivid example of an attitude toward faith that has gained power in the decades since his death. Lennon was "spiritual," but not "religious" before that stance became all too common. Through the power of his songs and quotes, this service will explore Lennon's life, defined by symbolic moments and raw feelings of love, peace - a man who was almost too honest about his doubts and his beliefs.

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
A culture of open mindedness and respect
Addressing Mystery, Divinity, the Sacred in many ways 

Its been said that the Bible is not always factual but it is truthful, an observation that has much broader application than just the Bible. Join us July 24 when Tom Parker leads a talk-back on fact, truth, and the 4th principle.

If we are made in the image of the Creator, our ultimate destiny should be to comprehend Him at all levels of our being. This comprehension will be through and by the evolution of our own consciousness, for which an intimate knowledge of our human constitution is paramount. The talk will explain the seven principles that make up our constitution in the light of the Ancient Wisdom known as theosophy, and how they are meant to fulfill the purpose of our existence - an increasing unfolding of our divinity in thought, speech and action.

The word heretic has its root in the Greek verb meaning "to choose." A Heretic, then, is a person who maintains the right to choose for themselves what to think and what to believe. Universalists and Unitarians have a proud history of being Heretics and claiming a right to religious freedom -- freedom of thought and freedom of conscience. Not all heretics are Unitarian Universalists, but we have many that we’re proud of! Legend has it that this campsite is full of hidden treasures, guarded by the ghosts of our heretical ancestors. Join us as we explore Heretic Camp and search out these treasures, choosing our steps along the way…

 On this Independence Day weekend, we gather for coffee and coversation.  Jim Klein will moderate a discussion on what true freedom means to each us.

This service explores how a person can stand on the side of love in support of hidden identities in honor of the national observance of Take Your Gay Teen to Church/Temple/Synagogue Weekend.

Self described financial guru Dave Ramsey often uses the phrase, "Better than I deserve." when asked how he's doing.

I think I get it and after this Sunday, you can too.

Please join YRUU, Young Religious Unitarian Universalists, our high school youth group, as they present their unique perspective on "The Meaning of Life".  It's about finding your own meaning rather than yielding to the persistent loud voices.

 Please join us as Allan Perkins presents an old fashion Memorial Day Weekend service from yester-year.

Sometimes we take life too seriously and we need a not-so-serious break.

Come join Bad Ethel for a morning of uniquely UU music, amusing anecdotes and just plain silliness. Stimulative beverage optional.

"Being Grounded"  is something we are often told to be.

But we are not always sure how to accomplish this.

Join Lucia at the flowering time of Beltaine and Maypoles as we explore the ways we can flourish in our lives as well as be rooted in what is essential.

Bring a flower for the altar !

Unitarian Universalists have a rich history in our celebration of Easter, often combining it with the specifically Unitarian tradition of the Flower Communion, which, in the words of Norbert Capek, honors "our common cause, our belonging together as one spiritual community, as brethren."

Please bring flowers to church this Sunday -- from a florist, from your garden, from a store -- as we celebrate the vision "that one spirit, the spirit of love, unites us."

 Is it possible to embrace, enjoy and appreciate living in a time of nuclear meltdowns, gulf oil spills, and climate change?  If not denial or martyrdom, then what?  Come fill your tank with faith, joy, courage and grace!

On April 10, 2011, Justice Sunday, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with UU congregations nationwide to put our principles into practice. This year's Justice Sunday culminates our efforts to gain a deeper understanding of how human rights bring the invisible survivors of disasters into the light.
 
Disaster survivors are not treated equally — and that inequality persists unless you apply the lens of justice.

Our worship and social action will spotlight issues affecting people both close to home and around the world. With the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, we will offer meaningful advocacy and action, so together we have a stronger voice and deeper impact toward advancing human rights

We have a spiritual connection to the food we eat.  Globalization and consumerism  have caused our disconnect.  We will explore the ways in which people of the world use food as religious ritual and how we can make wise choices which bring us back to our sacred connection to the earth.

The magic to magnificize your day (make your day magnificent) is not happenstance - it's created by our thoughts and actions through gratitude, love and acceptance of the world within us and around us. Magnificize your day and inspire others to do the same!

With our historical emphasis on reason and discussion, many of us to place our faith in our own abilty to figure out the good and bad of life.  Emphasis on getting it right often ends up being a block to happiness and fulfillment.  If we are unhappy there is bound to be a reason.  But do we need reasons to be happy? Might the key to joyful living be beyond reason? Come hear of reasonable and outrageous paths to joy.

This service fosters connections within our church community as various members share their favorite poetry or prose piece, an original creation or a classic that resonates.

 One of the tenets of Unitarian Universalism is that revelation is ongoing, that religions and humans are meant to grow and change. I have now been the member of a UU congregation for twelve years, covenanted to affirm and promote our principles. But do the principles mean the same to me today as they did a dozen years ago, or has the passage of time changed my interpretation of the sentiments they express?

So how ya gonna live it?  In anger, in fear, in pride?  Or in kindness, in joy, in love?  Please join us for a fun, uplifting, thought provoking sermon by psychotherapist and author, Patti Henry, as she encourages us to "claim our lives as our own."

Do you know you’re a FIREWORK? Everything that is in you adds up to something so special that the world is waiting for. Your identity, age, appearance, sexuality, your taste in music, clothes, movies, and books – these are all a part of you and they bring light into the world.

February 20 is Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day in Houston. Different denominations across Houston will extend a special welcome to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning teens and their parents. Ministerial candidate and coordinator of this ecumenical event, Joanna Fontaine Crawford, will speak at NWCUUC on this historic day.

What do these 4 things have in common?  Regardless if you are married, coupled, barely coupled or flying solo, this could be the gift / challenge of a lifetime!  Come and get it!

 Most everyone has a life-long relationship with music: Our favorite songs, music that brings back our youth, a melody that can make us cry, music that brings us closer to the Mystery of Life...

This Sunday, several members of the congregation will present music that touches us in different ways, along with personal stories of musical encounters. Join us.

Candlemas is called by some Imbolc or St. Brigid's Day. This holiday was traditionally observed as an Irish festival heralding the approach of spring on February 1. Lucia Bettler is an enthusiastic participant to interfaith women's transformational practices and is a leader of Brigid's Place, a connective community for meditation and conversation started by women Christ Church Cathedral.

January is a time that many of us attempt to make a clean start.  As religious liberals we can draw upon many sources for renewal. What is the source of our creativity, and how can we begin creating new experiences, new landscapes for ourselves, our families, communities and our world? 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., found sources of inspiration in the writings of Unitarian minister Rev. Theodore Parker from the days of the struggle against slavery. UUs today find a great source of inspiration in the work and words of Dr. King. What keys to the future do they hold?

ANSWER, the American-Nepali Student & Women's Educational Relief organization, has been a favorite cause of Houston area UU congregations. Earle Canfield will give an update on the successes of this unique program. ANSWER is dedicated to helping low-caste and impoverished people of Nepal address problems of poverty through education.

The first Sunday of the year we traditionally look at our own beliefs and practices. This year we will look at ourselves through the extension of our church. Let's begin the new year together!

A discussion will be held on spiritual topics of interest to attendees.

Join us at 7 p.m. for the Christmas Eve service at the Kids Club.

It might sound trite, but we bet this will surprise you. We will reflect on the question, "What's the best gift you could ever receive?" Our reflections won't stay on the surface!

In addition, we will have the swearing in of our new board and a declaration of thanks to those who have served.

The children and youth of our congregation will make a special holiday presentation.

After twenty years as a professional pastor I lost my religion. It’s not that I forgot where I put it or anything. I knew exactly where it was. And it’s not that I set out to get rid of my religion. It just wasn’t working for me anymore. In the midst of questioning God and searching for answers to the big questions, religion just wasn’t providing the answers.

Some want to equate losing religion with losing faith. I haven’t lost my faith. I believe very passionately in God and in his mission. I’m seeking to walk humbly with God and to align my life with God’s dream for the world. I’m deeply committed to pursuing God in the way of Jesus. I want to be honest however and say that I’ve put all of my beliefs under a microscope. I’ve questioned everything. Even in my questioning, however, I couldn’t let go of God, and he/she wouldn’t let go of me. Is it possible to give up religion and yet have a deep spirituality?

Families will be invited to take a Guest at Your Table box home, to learn about and participate in the work of our UU Service Committee.  Sermon:  Moving from guilt to thanksgiving celebration, and striving to be part of the solution. Is it possible that we could make guilt a thing of our past, and still keep moving toward greater integrity and fulfillment of our deepest values?

Rediscovering your inner Magnificence

Though our theological roots go back to the early church, Unitarian Universalism itself is a new religion, formed during the consolidation of the two religions and developed over the last 50 years.  This is a transformational religion that will change your life.  Bring your lifejackets and safety helmets – it’s a thrilling ride ahead.

Join us as we celebrate the lessons of the season through song and story. This will be a multigenerational service. We also encourage you to come in costume if you are so moved! For this service we will be meeting at the Copperfield Kids Club, 15806 Longenbaugh Drive, just west of Highway 6.

Lucia will share thoughts emerging from her recent experience visiting Israel.

For too long people have assumed that being a UU requires faith in a progressive political agenda and not much else.  This assumption ignores two things: 1 - A significant minority of UUs have always been politically conservative. 2 - Unitarian, Universalist and UU values, beliefs and theological traditions have been the source of our emphasis on social justice.  Learn more about how the return to liberal religion has changed the way we do social justice.

For too long people have assumed that being a UU requires faith in a progressive political agenda and not much else. This assumption ignores two things: 1 - A significant minority of UUs have always been politically conservative. 2 - Unitarian, Universalist and UU values, beliefs and theological traditions have been the source of our emphasis on social justice. Learn more about how the return to liberal religion has changed the way we do social justice.

Want some Greek salad with tomatoes from my garden?  How about a big helping of Mama's lasagna?  Anyone for homemade apple pie?  Would you like ice cream with that?  We nourish our bodies -- how about our souls?  Our days have a built-in structure to nourish our bodies called breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but how many of us have that same spiritual structure in place? The Muslims pray 5 times a day -- how about you?  Come hear psychotherapist and author Patti Henry as she shares some ideas of how to not only nourish your body each day, but how to nourish your soul as well.

What makes a practice "spiritual?" Which spiritual practices can UUs engage in as individuals, as a congregation and as a denomination?

In keeping with September's theme,"One light, many windows," Phil will extrapolate UU Priniciples onto current events.

With his metaphor of the Cathedral of the World, the Rev. Forrest Church drew a picture of the treasure we inherited as Unitarian Universalists – unlimited ways of understanding and experiencing divine reality. As UUs, it is our theological privilege and responsibility to “go deep,” not merely picking and choosing concepts that appeal to us, but to develop a fully examined faith.

A team of NWCUUC members who attended this year's Southwest Summer UU Institute, SWUUSI, will recreate some of the mystery and wonder of this experience. NWCUUC has one of the highest congregational percentages attending this multi-generational summer camp. Find out why.

What happens when our ambition and greed overshadow our common purpose? What is the cost of seeking results over relationship? Join us for a story that illustrates that while we may get distracted by our ambitions and greed, no success is very enjoyable without love and warm spirit of community.

Sure there is a lot of power in choosing, but UU is so not "anything goes." What are the core values of our movement? What is at the heart of what we believe, and practice?

Our annual Water Ceremony will also take place during this service!

Where do we find our real selves? The power beneath the liberal religious approach is the real growth that can happen when we become more conscious of what we believe and value. But who are we anyway ...to be deciding what is valuable, sacred, worthy of devotion? Is this the worship of personality? Hopefully not. Come to the intersection of divinity and humanity.

Speaker from The Art of Living

Peter Morales, UUA President - recorded sermon from our national General Assembly

We experience transcendence by loving and being loved. You and I are profoundly relational creatures. We are hard wired to need one another. People who are coming to our congregations every Sunday for the first time—and there are thousands every week—long to experience a loving connection to a religious community. So, how are we doing at responding to this need, to feeding the spiritually hungry and housing the religiously homeless?"
Come view this sermon delivered by thr national President of the Unitarian Universalist Association as recorded at our faith's national conference.
 

The word heretic has its root in the Greek verb meaning "to choose." A Heretic, then, is a person who maintains the right to choose for themselves what to think and what to believe. Universalists and Unitarians have a proud history of being Heretics and claiming a right to religious freedom -- freedom of thought and freedom of conscience. Not all heretics are Unitarian Universalists, but we have many that we’re proud of! Legend has it that this campsite is full of hidden treasures, guarded by the ghosts of our heretical ancestors. Join us as we explore Heretic Camp and search out these treasures, choosing our steps along the way…

Faith of the free. What is the purpose of non-creedal religion? What is faith, and how does it support freedom? Can intellect imprison? What is freedom?

The theme for this month is freedom. Part of the freedom of being in a Unitarian Universalist community is the freedom and responsibility to authentically acknowledge who we are. Are we truly free at NWCUUC? Let’s see. Join Joanna as she Comes Out to the congregation.

How do we use our power? How do we respond to injustice? In this service, based on the story The Duke Who Outlawed Jellybeans by Johnny Valentine, we will see how we can use our shared power in the name of Love to overcome almost any obstacle.

As part of this service, there will be a collection of items for our monthly You Matter lunches. Please bring what you can from the following list. Remember, each month we will make 100 lunches to give out to area homeless folks. Cash donations will also be accepted to purchase perishables.

Honey (in squeeze bottles), Creamy peanut butter, 18 count chewy granola bars (Variety packs have several flavors), Sandwich bags with zip-tops, 24-packs of bottled water, Cheese and/or peanut butter crackers (the 6-in-a-pack kind), Paper lunch bags, Cinnamon disc hard candies.

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. Unitarian Universalists are famous for coffee and conversation, but we also come together for Fellowship. Come hear one UU's views on why our Sundays are more than a social event.

Being a father is not the easiest job in the world. In fact, being a father is not just the hardest job a man can have during his lifetime, either. For those who have conceived a child or children, fatherhood is the single most important job in any man's life. This is why fathers are a very important part of every family.

As we age there's a tendency to behave and live on other people's terms. How can we remember our power, freedom and vitality? What is soulforce?

So what is the purpose of church? According to NWCUUC member and UU seminarian Joanna Crawford, “We gather to strengthen our souls, we are sent out to strengthen the world.” But the path to do so is often hard to find. Come prepared to wade in the water as we discuss how to do each.

Allan Perkins discusses ways to make Memorial Day a very personal holiday and not just a date on the calendar or another day off.

What does our Flaming Chalice mean to you? It has been a source of comfort for many, and a guiding light for others. Come explore the idea of some symbolism within the symbol of our Chalice.

If you think that prayer means asking the big daddy in the sky for special favors, then you haven't paid attention to the prayers being said in UU congregations. Come hear how this powerful spiritual tool is being understood by an array of religious liberals.

The job of mother is arguably the hardest and most important job in the world, and many moms wouldn't trade it for anything. This Sunday we will celebrate Mother's Day by remembering the venerable tradition of motherhood. We will look at motherhood in the light of faith and spirituality.

Love and spring time is celebrated in many ways around the world. One way is the Maypole Dance. On Sunday, May 2, we will share a new perspective on this very ancient tradition. Susanna Hill and Tracy Cook, two members of our congregation, will present a play and music to welcome the season. Following the service, we will have a Maypole Dance!

After the long Winter, the Earth is straining to be born. The trees are a symbol of our life on earth...as they begin to leaf out and become shaded homes once again for the creatures of air and branch. We are also blossoming and being reborn with the coming of Spring... as we strive to find our interconnected place on this planet.

Can UUs have any voice or influence in matters facing the Middle East? We are Peace lovers. Is peace even a possibility for Israel and Palestinians? Is it any of our business? What do our values and our faith ask of us with regard to this ongoing conflict?

We're all connected. That's what our seventh principle is all about, right? So what would happen if we lived our lives like we really believed that was true, that every one of our actions affects everything else? We will take a look at this way of living.

How our gatherings and ritual practices bring us to the present moment and increase our spiritual awareness.

Please bring some flowers to share.

With the economic crisis continuing to impact people, jeopardizing our well-being, now is a fitting time to do something about economic justice. Liberal Religion challenges the idea that all the world's evil resides in a supernatural being, or even that a person can be defined as an evil being. We see evil in the structures and systems that prevent people from actualizing their best selves and keep us out of right relation with all of creation. Our call as a Liberal Religious community is to work to transform these structures. Come learn how to help write the Garden of Eden story in reverse!

Justice Sunday, an event coordinated annually by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, is an exciting opportunity to lift up an important human rights issue, learn more about it, and be inspired to act! By participating in Justice Sunday, our congregation is joining hands with other UU congregations across the country to promote justice.

Dana is a third generation UU who can claim the anti-slavery activist Unitarian minister Rev. Theodore Parker as part of her family tree, is Chair of NWCUUC Faith in Action, and was recently selected to join the national Board of UUs for Justice in the Middle East.

UUs deeply value efforts to promote world community with liberty and justice for all. Is this religious concern or simply political? Religion has so often been the cause of division, oppression and strife. Yet the major traditions have also beckoned humanity to a compassionate awareness of its unity. In what ways does UU faith inform and challenge us to be members of a world community? What does it mean for us practically and personally?

From the day we are born to the day that we die, we are all sexual beings. Unitarian Universalists (partnered with the United Church of Christ) hold this to be true, and thus we provide fact-based, principle-based sexuality education for all ages. Come learn more about the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program and see human sexuality education as far more than plumbing lessons!

Katy is the Religious Education Director of the Unitarian Fellowship of Houston. The OWL program is offered in several versions for different age groups. An OWL class for adults was the subject of an article in the June 2009 issue of the magazine O, The Oprah Magazine, at http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Adult-Sex-Education.

Linda Eastburn began her profession as a health intuitive after many successful years as an entrepreneur in the field of real estate. Her success allowed her to pursue her first love, the connection between mind and spirit. Today she is a world-renowned intuitive, instructor, and author. She is a certified hypnotherapist, with a nationwide clientele. She is the author of the acclaimed book, Riding the Intuitive Wave, Listening to What Your Body Already Knows. Linda hosted the internationally broadcast radio show Anomalies, and has been a guest on various national radio broadcasts. Linda is the founder of Intuitive Care, a line of distant learning courses. She is certified as a continuing education instructor for nurses on the health benefits of intuition. Today she has students around the globe learning to use their intuitive abilities in work, personal healing, and self-understanding.

Linda’s message will be on evolving consciousness. Humankind's evolution is always responding to environmental influence. Intuition will either be part of this or it will die out. As a health intuitive she will show the value of using this primal from of communication with the direction of our more evolved reasoning intellect.

Sometimes we fall down, and sometimes we are pushed. We know we are supposed to just pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start down our path again. But what if we land in a mud puddle, and things don’t just brush off? Or what about those times when it feels good to wallow in the mud?! What then? Come in, listen, and if you wish, share your thoughts during Corner Forum. Tracy is President of the Board of the Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church and has completed the Dwight Brown Leadership Experience course.

Come hear some good news about the changing picture of American family structure. We will celebrate that families come in many shapes and sizes.

My title and blurb above are intended to challenge fundamentalist assumptions of what a family "should" look like. If you would like to help me spotlight positive changes (or challenges) please email me your thoughts, stories or questions regarding the changing picture of family life in the 21st century.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from single parents, blended families, adoptive or foster families. What does your family look like? What's been good about being that way? What's been difficult about it? (include how your family has been treated) What do you wish everyone would remember? What would you like to never hear again? What would you like to hear or see? PLEASE reflect and comment. Educate me, share your stories, conclusions, questions, concerns, ...

I will be happy to keep private any information that you share with me, if you let me know that is your wish.

BTW, whether you appreciate or regret these social changes, your input is much appreciated. I trust that we can present our doubts and concerns respectfully. I trust that we can engage in compassionate dialogue. I know that we can be open minded and hearted, that we can support learning and growth together.

Let's hear from UU!

We love because it is the only true adventure.
--Nikki Giovanni

The most powerful energy on the planet is love. Let us find ways to hook into it and live in it. Let us find ways to use our right of conscience and the democratic process to use love to heal the world. Let us come to church on Valentine’s Day to hear psychotherapist and author Patti Henry speak about the necessity of loving in order to fully experience our highest selves, both individually and collectively.

UUs have a long history of taking a stand against racism and some acts are clearly and egregiously racist. But what about the grey areas, the more challenging aspects of racism we deal with both publicly and privately? Is racism ever justified? How does racism manifest itself in your life? To what extent are you a racist? Join us as Tom Parker addresses these and other questions and gives us his take on what UUs can do.

Music has long been a part of religious ritual and always been a part of community. In addition to the talented musicians of NWCUUC sharing their gifts, we invite all to share their musical taste. Please bring either a "mix CD" of your favorite songs or a CD that has special meaning for you. Like our flower communion, these CDs will be gathered together so that everyone may take a different CD than they brought, to take home and enjoy.

David Throop is a local UU who will be presenting the talk on January 24th.

Often we arrange our world to try to avoid things that trigger our pain. It ends up blocking us from embracing live's deep joy and fulfillment. As we begin a new year, let's consider some ways to make peace with the events or parts of ourselves we would lke to banish. When we come home to ourselves, we will find freedom and unleash our creative power.

As we begin a new year, let's consider putting this horse before our cart. What is our spirituality and how could we use it for the basis to face all of life's challenges?

Here's two New Year's Resolutions :In one year, I will be a better person.  In one year the world will be a better place because of something I did.  

Sounds great but what's the first step?  First step unpacking some baggage-those things that hold us back from becoming the person we want to be.  Come join us as we - literally - burn through those things we wish to get rid of, to make space for what we want to acquire.

Ever get the feeling that we are dangling on the end of a rope and someone on top keeps throwing money over the cliff to help us climb back up! Well, you aren't the only one! What we really need is someone to grab hold of the rope and pull us back on to solid ground. Let's stop wasting our time and money, and start doing something effective. Lessons from Nepal.

Are we so resentful of what has been done in his name, that we close our hearts and our eyes to the miracle of the Christmas spirit that emerges this time of year? Yes ye religious liberals, verily I say unto you, "prepare him room." Hint: If getting stuck on literalism is making you a Scrooge, it's not religious liberalism.

December is one of the most festive times to be a Unitarian Universalist. We have what A. Powell Davies referred to as the “privilege of the illimitable mind” – we get to celebrate and find value in all the holidays of the season. Come see why, when a UU says, “Happy Holidays” it really means something!

There has been talk in the past few years about the “War on Christmas.” However, if you look at the history of Christmas in the United States, you’ll discover that the reality is different than some would want you to believe. Make no mistake – this is a subversive holiday, highly influenced by Unitarian Universalists. In fact, without Unitarians and Universalists, Christmas as we currently know it wouldn’t even exist!

Whether you were with your family or not for Thanksgiving, finish out this holiday weekend with us. Come back or enter into our spiritual community, and we'll break bread. Phil will talk about the miracle of leavening, and we will reflect upon what we are baking in our lives, and what is rising in the world.

Ever wonder what it is that really makes things continue? What is it that we could never do without?" Inspired by sermon given by Dr. Web Kitchell many years back at First Unitarian Houston, Bil Cusack delves into this rich topic.

In Jonathan Haidt’s book The Happiness Hypothesis, he writes, “Suppose you read about a pill that you could take once a day to reduce anxiety and increase your contentment. Would you take it? Suppose further that the pill has a great variety of side effects, all of them good: increased self-esteem, empathy, and trust; it even improves memory. Suppose, finally, that the pill is all natural and costs nothing. Now would you take it? The pill exists. It is meditation.” Let’s take a look. It’s right in line with what Thoreau once urged, “we must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake.”

This service will explore Art, Architecture, and Sacred Spaces from around the globe. We will be including other faith traditions in our discussions of Sacred Spaces. After the services, there will be a discussion of the similarities shared in all faith traditions. This will include ideas about our interactions with the Divine, beyond the Western (Judeo-Christian) perspectives we traditionally hold. Come and stretch your spirituality with us!

"Mountains of the Bible" will include exploration of the physical landscape mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. The physical landscape will be our background for a liberal interpretation of Moses and Jesus as main lawgivers in the Bible.

Honor, nobility of spirit, idealism---all qualities related to justice, equity and compassion in our lives.  These are eternal themes in literature, drama and song.  It's not easy being human, not always easy having compassion for others when we are struggling ourselves with the complexities of life.  Join Lucia Bettler as she shares her vision of what it is that keeps us awake and alive to one another in these challenging times.

Our living tradition continues to change. Do you? A generation ago people came to us charged with negative energy about the religions they had left behind. We called ourselves religious liberals but often the religious part was missing. Today the people knocking on our doors are hungry for spirituality and alternatives to fundamentalism and market place culture. Being a religious liberal takes effort, but yields rewards. Are you willing to grow with our faith?

Last month Rev Phil shared with us the Jewish high holiday tradition, known as the Days of Awe. We were asked to reflect upon the past year, our moral victories as well as the ways that we fell short of being the UUs we want to be. Today we will complete the process remember, let go, put the past behind us and start fresh.

The task of peacemaking is arduous for governments, communities and individuals. Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Yet it takes practice to become the person we each aspire to be.

Christina Branum-Martin is 4th year seminary student at Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago. She is in a non-resident student and lives here in Houston during her studies.
She shares her life with her husband and 9 year old daughter.

You say tomato, I say tomahto... should we call the whole thing off? Of course not.

Although we may see the same thing, we might call it by different names. For instance, some languages such as Spanish use the word Dios for God, Arabic uses the word Allah for God and others to describe The Divine or Supreme Being might call it by another name.

Unfortunately it isn't always as easy in one's own language. It is our abstract concepts of faith and our attempt to attach words to describe them that can often times create tension, misunderstanding and dismissal of growth opportunities.

Join us as we delve into the different aspects of religious speak and how honing our ability to transcribe the faith language of others will help us grow as UUs.

The Jewish high holy days are a time of reflection, remembering, making amends and letting go in order to enter at-one-ment with the source of life, with our neighbors and our self. Come home to the land of your soul where life begins anew.

Based on a service given at First UU Church of Albuquerque, our ensemble of speakers address in a snappy informative way what Unitarian Universalism is and what Unitarian Universalists do.

Inspired by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar’s sermon, Susanna delves into what tolerance means for a Unitarian Universalists. Are there limits to tolerance? Are we really as tolerant as we think we are? And is tolerance the goal, or merely a step in the right direction?

You are surrounded by love – do you recognize it? Do you realize how much? As humans, we have both a need to give love and receive love. As Unitarian Universalists, we say that “love is the spirit” of our church. What do we do with this love? What is the real power of the love within? And if we want more love in our lives, where do we find it?

A Homecoming and Water Ceremony

Cheryl Perry and Rita Cusack will lead a worship service celebrating our summer travels and homecoming. Bring a bit of water (real or symbolic) representing a place of spiritual significance so that we may once again come together through the water communion ceremony.

Much has been written about positive thinking and visualization. The missing piece for nurturing our souls and healing the world may lie with our feelings. Bring us your tired weary spirits, bring us your contentment or your excitement. Together in our sanctuary of acceptance, we will sing a new song to creation.

Popular culture has everything to do with the way that each new young generation communicates with itself and about itself. Hip hop has been around for more than one new young generation, but continues to evolve and become more and more meaningful to people across the planet. Come to this sermon to find out what the hip hop culture has to tell us about spirituality and how it relates to the UU faith. Be prepared to hear some good beats and to move around as you are willing and able.

Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University, Melissa Harris-Lacewell, this year's Ware Lecturer, challenged us to pause in the moment of American racial transformation and ask about how faith and reason can guide our politics toward more just ends. We Americans do use religious and rational justifications for democratic processes, policy directions, and political goals. In fact, in many ways the American state is the God figure in our nation's civic religion. But the realities of black life in America have historically served to challenge the American project in both moral and secular realms.

What is the type of spirituality that feeds you? Rational Mind? Spiritual Mind? Service? Love? Come join us as we learn from this not-to-be-missed sermon, written and first delivered by Rev. Anthony David, today pulpiteered by Michelle French.

Guest speaker Christian Schmidt will give the world's fastest introduction to theology, tell you why you should care, and then discuss a basic theological framework that UUs (yes, all of us) can agree on. Also, there will be a play, and you'll love it!

How often are we in a reactive mode, seeing things we don't like and railing against them? How often do we proceed from a song, dream or vision that arises in us, and stroll gently down the path toward fulfillment. Can we learn to act more often from our faith than from fear?

There’s a lot to embrace this Independence Day -- a country of rebels, heretics, and other visionaries! Join us as we celebrate the United States of America through music and word.

Gently awaken the body and spirit through sound and movement.

Allowing the vibrations and rhythms to move you and move through you facilitates subtle changes to body, mind and spirit. Come and experience the joy of a community in motion.

In Love's Garden there is beauty and growth but there are also weeds and thorns. How do we continue to do this thing called love and when loving gets tough? Together we will delve into the hard truths about love and what keeps us going.

Males are deeply conditioned into an orientation of dominance. We end up dominating and forcing ourselves to buck up and get with the program. Can dads learn to influence themselves and their children with ease, love and cooperation? Can men move from inspiration with less perspiration?  As a gift to fathers, let's support and encourage them to lead lives more deeply connected to children, community and faith.

It’s been a wonderful year as we explored Michael Josephson’s Pillars of Character through an interage, rotational model of religious education. Join us for skits and songs that illustrate what we’ve learned.

UU Congregational life has been growing beyond the bounds of our English Protestant history and culture. We are are embracing multicultural spirituality and learning to express our Principles and Purposes in new and exciting ways. Come experience it.

On this Memorial Sunday, we gather to remember those who have given their lives in military service to our country. Please join us in honoring their memory.

Leviticus: Its most widely cited verse is used to condemn homosexuality, but since it is one of the most boring books in the Bible, few people know what the other thousands of verses say about the time and place, so long ago and far away, in which this book was written. If the rest of Leviticus were similarly applied to contemporary discourse, football wouldn't be an American pastime, fashion wouldn't be much of an industry, and agriculture wouldn't support as large a population. If you were to draft such a detailed book for UUs, what would it include?

Flowers are a symbol of all things which unite us with each other and with the eternal order of the Universe. In our Flower Communion this year, we will celebrate the beauty of the flowers, the beauty of those who are touching our lives now and the beauty of those who have touched our lives along our life’s journey. As we gather together for our Flower Communion on Mother’s Day this year, we will also be celebrating the sacredness of Motherhood.

We ask that you bring a flower that represents someone, female or male, who has Mothered you on your life’s journey. This could be someone who has nurtured you or whose wisdom guided you or whose love gave you the strength to move forward.

If you are so moved, you also may bring an object or a picture to place on the altar that represents the beautiful soul who has mothered you.

Long before Judaism and Christianity emerged, Pagan, Wiccan, Goddess religions and indigenous cultures honored, celebrated and discovered an awesome, sacred and transcendent mystery in nature. Let's celebrate Beltane together. It's a Gaelic and Pagan holiday invoking and acknowledging fertility. What in your life needs spawning? What didn't make it through the winter, that needs to be cleared away in order to make room for new life? We'll look to the marvels of nature in Spring. Wanted: dancers for the Maypole.

'The search for truth is our sacrament. And service is its prayer.' We are called to action, based on the truths we know. But there's a catch. Revelation isn't finished - tomorrow may prove today's truths to be partial, provisional. Or just wrong. Our free churches have struggled with the question ever since the Pilgrims -- How do act boldly, faithfully, given that we might be in error? This Sunday, we look back to our Unitarian roots to learn how UU's serve with confidence even as we walk in doubt.

To engage in contemporary religious discussions, we, as UUs, need to be familiar with references in the Bible, as read from a religious liberal perspective. So what do you know about "end of the world" references you may hear from friends, relatives, and coworkers, including the point that Bellaire, TX has the "devil's number" because the prefix is "666." What does the Book of Revelation actually say, and significantly, what is NOT in there? Does a well meaning loved one fear for your afterlife? Attend this service for a UU response.

Come join us as we celebrate Spring, Solstice, Rebirth, Easter – in music. Easter bonnets optional!

Aretha Franklin is just asking for a little respect for women. Author and psychotherapist, Patti Henry, is talking to us on April 5 about gaining a little of that respect for yourself. Inspired by women who have made a difference, Patti will share with us how you, too, can make a difference in the world by following the light within.

Ours is a rational religion, and many within our churches hesitate to describe UUism as a "faith." We'll consider a way of viewing faith as fully consistant with Unitarian Universalism, and also reflect on what faith has to do with trust.

Rev. Eric Posa serves the UU Church of the Brazos Valley in College Station. He lives in Bryan with his wife, Suzi.

Or “So What’s the Good News About Unitarian Universalism and Why/How Should I Spread It?”  Joanna will testify, exhort you to evangelize, discuss Holy Spirit and even give some tips about getting through those “What do you believe?” conversations.
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Jennifer Armentrout had to cancel due to a family emergency.  Our prayers go out to her and her family.

The basic task of all religion is to reaffirm the first relationship of trust between mother and child. Easier said than done, nonetheless crucial in the shaping of our personal and social worlds. This sermon, delivered by Rev. Owen-Towle last June at the UU Fellowship of San Dieguito addresses the trust we need in each other to grow as individuals and as a congregation.

Sometimes, it’s just too much. Too many activities, too much clutter, too much stuff. Sometimes, what we crave is a little bit of emptiness … room in our schedule just to daydream, room in our bookcases for future reads, room in our heads for new thoughts.

Come get motivated to get rid of the literal and metaphorical clutter that you no longer love or that no longer serves you well. Empty cardboard boxes will be provided.

What is the purpose of church? Different people have different ideas – in this sermon, delivered at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 1, 2009, Rev. Lavanhar pulls together the disparate ideas, arguing that love helps us in our business of “creating spiritually mature people.”

Spongebob Squarepants seems an unlikely spiritual guide, but he has some important lessons to offer about hard work, loyalty, living in the moment, and - especially - caring. I mentioned the Spongebob idea in a sermon last year and multiple people have requested it since ... its time has arrived! Come join me to explore what we can seriously learn from this comical little guy.

Come join us for our second play directed by Cheryl Perry as she covers The History of Religion, from the Big Bang to the Second Coming as only the Unitarian Universalists can tell it!

Many spiritual traditions speak of kindness and love...that deep caring that comes from the depth of our souls. In our world today there are many inspiring stories about how people dig deep and step forward to help individuals in need. We must live with open hands and hearts even when it is difficult. Join Lucia today to explore how "loving kindness" lives in all of us......and how we can help one another to keep it flowing into our changing world.

Like all of you, Chuck has been observing candidate and now President Obama in his style of engagement and early governing strategies.  Freshly back from broadcasting and blogging at the Inauguration Chuck will distill practical spiritual lessons from Mr. Obama's words and deeds.  What can we glean from President Obama that can help us be better UU's, citizens and human beings?

In 1966, Roger Miller explained that "Ya can't roller skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to" --How can we choose happiness? Is it really as simple as "Knuckle down, buckle down, do it, do it, do it"? How can a change in personal outlook help each of us to change the world?

January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and January 20, the first African-American citizen will be sworn is as President of the United States. This is a time of pride and hope for many who have worked for civil rights, but they are quick to point out that there is still much work to be done. What steps do we take now that will affect people 45 years from now?

This time last year I visited NWCUUC and talked about the power of our deeds (Karma); I talked about how personally fulfilling it has been in my life and in the lives of our sponsors. Such a deed gives blighted children a chance to blossom: to go to school, attend college, attain careers, and to break the poverty cycle their families had been entrapped for generations. However, the power of Karma is not evident in simply transforming people individually, but it can gather momentum and transform an entire society. Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point shows how this transformation can happen overnight: how epidemics begin, fads and fashions take off, and a freshman senator from Illinois can become President. Today's sermon reveals how ANSWER is not just educating a few hundred children, but it is undermining the deeply ingrained caste system in Nepal. The conditions are ripe, the ball is gathering speed, and the balance is about to tip to bring about a social revolution that may bring real opportunity and true democracy to millions on the subcontinent.

ANSWER: In 2001, after enrolling a little street girl in a high-caste school and witnessing her amazing progress in three short years, Earle, his wife Mary Jane, and Som, a native hospital worker in Nepal began talking about starting an organization ANSWER to educate disadvantaged children. As more and more children became enrolled and excelled, it became clear that these students needed to go on to college and break the poverty cycle. About 3 years ago, we wanted our students to do more than simply contribute to family wealth, but to model themselves on the generosity of their sponsors and give back to society as a whole. Now that our students are graduating as businessmen, nurses and other health professionals from the lowest castes, a social reformation is in the offing.

Pity the news-addicted, so many messages of gloom and doom! Every episode has the latest bad news with the inference that if you haven't been defeated yet, you soon will be. Contrast that to the message of the presidential election; "Hope and Change". Now is the time for all good men to... sort out what really matters (again). Please join us in this annual "Housekeeping for the Soul" service.

This Sunday falls between Christmas & New Years.  It is both a time of rest after the holiday hustle-bustle, & anticipation of beginning a new year.

The 12th annual Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Certain songs & stories make up a common heritage that we share & form much of the framework for how we view the holidays.

Presented by Children's Religious Education

A true Xmas story about the mystery & sacredness of life & death as shared by individuals whose paths just happened to cross.

Thanksgiving Sunday - Bring a loaf of bread typical of your heritage or your upbringing to share as we give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

Do we surrender the working class to conservative religion? Should we attempt to broaden our appeal to include more of the working class?

Lucia will share some of the challenges, inspirations & miracles that have come her way, & encourage us to continue to solve our problems with gratitude, creative thinking & hope.

In recognition of Association Sunday 2008, we will explore our ways of denominational connection & how together UU congregations grow in spirit & become effective in our work in the world.

There has never been a time … that people of good will have [not] needed to come together in a sign of unity and peace.

A review of our 7 principles and renewal of our covenant of mutual love & support

Responsibility, one of Michael Josephson's "Six Pillars of Character."  Teri talks about its deeper meaning in U U'ism

Award winning sermon asks "How can we possibly practice generosity and a belief in abundance amidst a barrage of scarcity?"

Why is it so easy to fail to prepare ourselves for spiritual growth?

Exploration of words and effort to find common ground to better understand & respect all religions & the people who practice them

What's funny about war, poverty, ignorance, bigotry, neo-conservatism, homophobia, greed, lust & fear?

Church without electricity for three weeks!

Exploring the idea of where one finds peace, respite, safety & the spiritual

DVD presentation by Rev. Christine Robinson: What it means to be a Humanist & how Humanists can live a life rich in spiritual practices

Sharing of actual and symbolic water from everyone's summer travels

Sermon by Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, presented by Tom Parker

Sermon by Rev. Alice Blair Wesley, First Parish Norwell UU Church, Norwell, MA, presented by Susanna Hill

Overview of UU's Six Sources

DVD of Rev. Christine Robinson of 1st Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, a church w/ 700+ members & 200 children

Examination of rich UU history & "what Rebecca Parker (Pres. Of Starr King School for Ministry) calls our 'theological house.'"

Our Unitarian Universalist tradition has a 400-year long heritage of affirming the importance of covenants over creeds.

Marti w/ Tracy Cook: Although Uus are often recognized individuals w/ a strong sense of personal identity, we also need t work together to achieve common goals.

Ideas to explore on how to grow & build YOUR church

Afterlife in the World's Religions. A 3-layer view of how people-both ancient & modern-have viewed Afterlife.

Celebrating Father's Day & reflecting on the meaning of the holiday, the meaning of fatherhood

I have been accused of being a UU evangelist … because I love all the facets of this great religion & take every opportunity to share my enthusiasm.

Bridging ceremony & lessons learned by students & teachers this year

A contemplation of the sacrifices made by our military personnel & what they want.

Tips for effective communications by a Harvard-trained negotiator

Several church members share how their mothers influenced those values as we celebrate Mothers Day

Share our individual gifts, and celebrate the beauty of our community

Take a lesson or two from one of our more famous & multi-faceted Unitarians.

Learn to listen to the many ways in which our beloved planet communicates with us…and also shows us the goodness & abundance the Creator showers on us.

Reflections of a Traveling Universalist

Seriousness is often touted as a virture, but there is way too much seriousness - it's an epidemic

Look into the eyes of your family members, neighbors and friends and find the hero waiting there for the right moment to surface and save the world.

Easter.  How One Can Be a Christian Without Believing in the Virgin Birth Nor the Infallibility of the Bible.

Experience Hallelujah in work and song with Joanna Crawford and Bil Cusack

This multimedia presentation centers on how our actions not only have an impact on others, buy on ourselves as well.

Christina is a spiritual teacher at Unity Church of Christianity in Houston. A charismatic and heartfelt speaker.

Following the 60th anniversary of Gandhi's assassination on Jan. 30th, let us be reminded of his teachings and his light

Revs. Phyllis Hubbell & John Manwell of the 1st Unitarian Church of Baltimore tell how we might find depth & meaning in all our moments

The Blind Leading the Blind or How do I get to the 'War in Heaven'?  How this 17c. Poet can inspire us to move forward in social justice

You may be surprised what options the straight & narrow path may open for you

Rabbi Segal is a national speaker, author, radio show host and entertainer

Inspired by the NPR Radio Show

Paul's amazing encounter with his Homeowner's Assn.

Bil & Rita look at where we've been and where we're going

Informal service with opportunity for thought-provoking, thought-sharing good time

Story of Jesus and Christmas Carols

Annual Holiday Program presented by R.E. Classes.  Also Congregational Meeting Day

What the law of Karma really means and why Dr. Kalia chooses to live his life as if reincarnation exists

How can we grow spiritually & emotionally with the deep mixed emotions evoked by family holiday time?

How Can We Repay the Earth for All Her Goodness to Us?  This rich season is a wonderful time to be grateful for the precious life we share; for the sustenance the Earth gives us; for daily grace. It is also the time to stop hiding our light---we must be the light and love the world needs.

Transformational experiences typically occur on a stroll along a beach or in the presence of a beautiful sunset or on the top of tall mountain. Can they also happen at a rock and roll concert? Why not? And what does Mick have to do with anything?

The UU search for truth and meaning is made manifest in different ways. All of us, consciously or unconsciously, are searching for truth and meaning, for from these, purpose usually arises.

We all recognize our culture's broken-ness. The question is what can we as individuals and Unitarian Universalists do to change things and turn the world around?

Ms. Anderson, a persuasion trainer, discusses how the popular little book, The Secret, holds an important message for Uus

What does forgiveness mean to us, and how do we learn to forgive God, forgive others and perhaps most difficult, forgive ourselves?

UUA's first-ever Association Sunday. Development of our faith as well as our own personal development.

Mahatma Gandhi demonstrated to the world that nonviolent methods and Satyagraha (Holding to the Truth) can be used to bring about profound social change and lasting peace.  Mr. Kothari is Founder of Mahatma Gandhi Library.

This sermon compares Theodore Parker, M. L. King, Gandhi, and Jesus.

Bren Hardt is the Peace with Justice Coordinator for the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church

Fill in for Rev. Teri Massengale

An Old Fashioned Radio Show brought to you by the folks at WNWC radio featuring: Tom Parker as Strom Darker, private eye

Dance creates Peace within Ourselves, Peace in our Communities, and Peace in our World
creates Peace within Ourselves, Peace in our Communities, this as we Dance Together!

Dr. Carroll discusses these central truths of Buddhism & how they can transform our lives

Annual Service welcoming congregants & friends back from the summer & water service

Exploring the wonderful way music plays a role in UU traditions

Join Hallie Moore (half humanist, half believer in the Force) to ponder the seriousness of these thoughts together

Exploration of dictates & dangers of conservatism & literalistic viewpoints of religion

A glimpse into the teachings of the Baha'I faith

w/ Bennie Grezlik: Dialogue between the God of the Old Testament & a new, improved model

Think about the UU dedication to diversity, prejudice and what we mean by "acceptance"

Conversational service discussing topic of the day

Summer urges us to grow - it is the season of fullness & productivity on the earth.

Fathers Day: Patti & Bob Pryor discuss how the "Father" figure in the family can be an instrument of support & healing to the child.

Spiritual truths that we can draw on during our most challenging nights of the soul

Several speakers sharing thoughts & experiences about the Welcoming Congregation workshops

Celebrating nature' extravagance & humanity's oneness

Celebrate the continuing spiral of our children's Religious Education

Motherhood - the largest sorority in the world.  Celebrate the sisterhood it engenders.

How pagan beliefs & rituals relate to the seven principles of Unitarianism

Balancing pressures from many different & often conflicting aspects of our world-inner & outer.  Creative juggling, different ways of approaching & definng reality.

Strategies for using love as a guiding priciple in our lives

Rev. Medlin talks about loving & living life to the fullest & medical ethics related to "dying with dignity."

Celebrate Easter! What we can glean from this miraculous story of death & resurrection

Were Frodo & Gandalf among the first Unitarians?  Frodo's Fellowship used many UU traits to cope, traits that can supply us with comfort, direction, beauty, and even fun as we work towards a better world

The role of idealism in world where things don't always seem so hopeful

How UU Faith brings balance to ourselves & community, nation & world

Eclectic mix of contemporary singer-songwriter material w/ influences of classical, Celtic, folk/rock, PDQ Bach, & a touch of street theatre

Is all the freedom we enjoy really free of charge?

This discussion presented by three members of our church. We will be challenging the stereotype of the atheist and learning how atheists can have a moral grounding and look for meaning in life as well as having a sense of the sacred. Various scenarios regarding this topic will be explored offering different perspectives.

What would it take to move from fear ruling our lives to love ruling our lives? Too often fear keeps us from becoming our best selves. It keeps us from loving others. It keeps us from being a healing force in the world. Inspired by Nelson Mandela and the work of The New Warrior Training, psychotherapist and author Patti Henry will share thoughts on why it is essential that love triumph -- and how we can make that happen.

Noted Unitarian Rev. A. Powell Davies once said, "When we see our own grotesqueries, how quaint we are, how droll our ambitions are, how comical we are in almost all aspects, we automatically become more sane, less self-centered, more humble, more wholesome. To laugh at ourselves, we have to stand outside ourselves - and that is an immense benefit."

grotesqueries, how quaint we are, how droll our ambitions are, how comical we are in almost all aspects, we automatically become more sane, less self-centered, more humble, more wholesome. To laugh at ourselves, we have to stand outside ourselves - and that is an immense Noted Unitarian Rev. A. Powell Davies once said, "When we see our own grotesqueries, how quaint we are, how droll our ambitions are, how comical we are in almost all aspects, we automatically become more sane, less self-centered, more humble, more wholesome. To laugh at ourselves, we have to stand outside ourselves - and that is an immense Noted Unitarian Rev. A. Powell Davies once said, "When we see our own grotesqueries, how quaint we are, how droll our ambitions are, how comical we are in almost all aspects, we automatically become more sane, less self-centered, more humble, more wholesome.

By becoming a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation, I asserted my right to search for my own truth, to take responsibility for my actions, and to control my own destiny.

Congregational Mtg. w/ Dr. Karin A. Klieman: Eradicating World Poverty: What Can I Do As Only One? We are pleased to have Dr. Klieman, Associate Professor (Africa) from the University of Houston
Houston as our speaker. Associate Professor(Africa) from the University of Houston as our speaker.

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The theme of "Peace and Living Together" in Islam and its Holy book Qur'an

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Encouraging us to get out of our denials and into integrity

Conversation and Coffee in am; traditional Christmas service in pm

RE Holiday performance following service

Congregational meeting following service

A sermon about when your child tells you he is gay

Embrace the new canvas you face each morning

Life in Russia can be hard, but religion has helped the people to survive even the darkest times

We all do such a wonderful job of hiding our imperfections. We hide bulges, bumps, and wrinkles behind the latest fads. We hide our clutter behind closet doors and entire garages. We hide our feelings behind elaborate masks. But what are we missing? What have we lost, buried under so many layers? Come, take your seat, and learn how our imperfections can change the world!

What is personal responsibility for a UU and how can we use it to live an authentic life filled with UU values?

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Figuring out difficult relationships

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Speaker No-Show

A time to remember cycles, seasons, and the inevitability of change

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U-U Weekend

The hurried life so many of us are trapped in

In this annual service, we welcome congregants and friends back from the summer and mark the beginning of the religious education year. Please bring your actual or symbolic sacred water collections from your summer travels to contribute to the water ceremony that is part of this traditional service.

Spirituality is such an elusive term, taking on meanings that reflect the proclivity of each individual. For me, a large part of spirituality is our connection with the often difficult-to-articulate values, meanings and visions of our mortal lives. Attempting such articulation is an important part of our spirituality, as are the sermons we prepare and to which we listen.

For the Christian it is living a Christ-like life. In Islam it is showing complete surrender to Allah. In Buddhism it is outwardly living by the 10 precepts. Living your faith by example, a UU-like life, can save the world and grow our church.

How can UUs reconcile that within their congregations some members believe in destiny/predetermination, while others do not? Are coincidences just that?

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