Current Programs and Events
at First UU Church

Below is information about the worship service and other events at First UU Church Houston, as well as significant community events. Please check the newsletter for information on these or other events that may be of interest to you.

Worship Service: 10:30 AM

Music Note: During the summer services, we will be featuring musical presentations by both church members and guest musicians which we believe you will find most enjoyable. Our choir will be resting during the summer months in order to return next season with renewed spirit and enthusiasm. Bob will be keeping his fingers in shape and will be with us for most of the summer.

July 5, Reverend Adam Robinson: Happy Birthday to US

"All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions. All change is the result of a change in the contemporary state of mind." -Adlai Stevenson

On the day after the celebration of our nation's independence let's look at the sacrament of democracy. Are there presents we still need to give ourselves?

July 12, Natalie Browne, Director of Religious Education: Lifespan Faith Development and the Girl Who Was Born in China

All of us are on a journey. Natalie Browne, our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, will share her journey from China through Brazil to First Church, and from Presbyterian missionary kid through marriage and loss to standing before you. She will use her story to point out some of the tasks of faith development that most of us encounter and to suggest some travel essentials for the journey.

July 19, Amanda Robinson with Rev. Reverend Adam Robinson: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Global Warming

Okay, so global warming is not very lovable. But what can this ecological, moral, and spiritual crisis teach us about God, the world, and ourselves? And how can we, as Unitarians, respond? Amanda (no relation to Rev. Adam) is a native Texan with an English degree who served as Director of Religious Education at two different Unitarian congregations for the past five years. Now she works for Texas Impact/Texas Interfaith Power and Light and will begin study at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the fall with the goal of becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister.

July 26, Reverend Bob Tucker: Religion and Science: a Sibling Rivalry

The idea of a war between science and religion has a century-long history, and it is as contemporary as the latest battles at the State of Texas Board of Education. Often this conflict is portrayed as two irreconcilable fields squaring off against each other. In reality, this is more a sibling rivalry than an irresolvable conflict. The discoveries of the new physics--relativity and quantum theory (including the uncertainty principle and entanglement)--provide intriguing intersections today for religion and for science.

Bob Tucker is a member of First Church, the retired pastor of First Congregational Church of Houston, and Executive Director of the Foundation of Contemporary Theology.

Events (in date order)

LIFESPAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PRESENTS:

Summer Film Series for the Whole Family

When: Second Friday of each month: June 12, July 10 and August 14 at 6:00 p.m..

What: Potluck dinner, movie and discussion for youth and adults; potluck dinner, movie and games for children; nursery provided. The adult movies invite some provocative questions. Don't miss Hotel Rwanda (what would I have done in that situation?) in June, Hoosiers (could I/would I forgive?) in July, and Contact (could there be something out there, really?) in August.

FOR JUNE:

Potluck: Last names starting with A-G: desserts; H-N: vegetables and salads; M-T: main dishes (can be a substantial salad); U-Z: bread or appetizers. Cool beverages provided.

Needed: Volunteers for set up, serving and clean-up. Sign up in Channing Hall or contact Natalie Browne at Church, 713-526-5200 or natalie@firstuu.org.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 Annual Services Auction

Mark your calendars. It will be one big “Starry Night” at the Annual Services Auction of First Church.

How you can help? Be thinking about what you will offer as well as the in-kind donations that businesses you frequent might be happy to donate. (More later.) --Lois Hardt, Joyce Ambler, and the Committee

 On-Going Programs for Adults

Book Discussion Group -- Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - Rm 302

Bring your coffee and join the early-bird readers on Sunday morning. Books are divided into manageable segments and chapters are assigned week to week for discussion. We are reading and discussing (starting Feb. 8) Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama.  Leader: Dick Hanneman, dickhann@swbell.net

UU Changing Women -- Sundays, 9:15 a.m. - Rm 303

Silent Meditative Space -- Sundays, 9:15-9:40 a.m. - Rm 304

Guided Meditations -- Sundays, 9:45-10:15 a.m. - Rm 304

Come enjoy meditation with a group of warm and friendly people.  We listen to an eclectic variety of guided meditation techniques and music on CDs. All are welcome to attend, even those without meditation experience.

Facilitated by Pam Perry and friends 

Houston Area Women's Group -- Sundays, 10:45 a.m. - Rm 302

Adult Discussion Group -- Sundays, 12:00 to 1:00 pm. - Rm 304

Visitors are always welcome to participate in our facilitated discussions where we follow group guidelines.

Men's Group -- Sundays, 11:45 a.m. - Rm 204

Parents' Group -- Fourth Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m., in Room 303

The Great Ideas Group -- 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 7 - 9 pm - Rm 304

The Great Ideas Group studies the great thinkers, great writers, great religions and great ideas of the past and present.  Newcomers are welcome to join our interesting group!

Contact Wendy Rodewald wjrodewald@yahoo.com or Eric Botts ericbotts@prodigy.net

Yoga for Beginners -- Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m.

This class addresses the yoga needs for beginners and those interested in developing a better mind/body integration.  Individual needs are addressed.  Classes include props to adjust to each person's limitations and a directed meditation.  Instructor: Stan.

Adult Choir Rehearsal -- Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. - Choir Room

Poetry in Motion  -- Fridays, 10 a.m. to Noon

Poetry: "The Best Words in the Best Order" "A favorite Poem is your friend and compantion forever. It can move you, delight you, and enrich your hours of reflection over and over again." Members choose the selections. Contact: Lucrecia Cox - lcox@treysot.com

Yoga -- Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

The word yoga means union.  In this class, we learn to unite the mind with the body to create muscular balance and improve flexibility and strength.  The class is gentle and open to beginners and intermediate level students.  Your first class is free. Suggested donation: church members $7, visitors $10. Instructor: Julie Byrd: 713-520-8165