News: March 20, 2026
Dear Members and Friends,
Today is the first day of spring, but those in our church haven’t waited for the official start date to get busy!
Near the end of February, Rev. Colin, Nina, and I attended the Southwest UU Minister’s Retreat. More than thirty ministers from multiple states gathered at a forested retreat center near (appropriately) Temple. Besides worship services, arts workshops, and taking time to walk the wooded paths, there were a lot of lively conversations.
But perhaps the highlight of the time there was the prolific and famed poet Naomi Shihab Nye reading a selection of her works. The next day she facilitated a workshop, where the ministers wrote our own poems.
The following weekend was the All Church Family Picnic. I understand at least forty people (and two dogs!) had a great time. Unfortunately, I missed it because I was in Dallas that week. I did get to preach the following day, though, at Pathways UU Church in Hurst.
Tomorrow night is Conrad and my ultimate Auction Dinner. We are looking forward to hosting those of you who bid on and won a seat.
Sunday, I’ll be hosting the Inquirer’s Series discussion. Many UU churches offer these as a way to learn more about Unitarian Universalism as well as that particular church. If you’re interested in becoming a member and would like to know more about our UU History and Values, join me after one of the services at the table in Channing Hall.
Then, the next weekend will be First Church’s Annual Spring Retreat at UBarU in Central Texas. Kinsey and I are excited to be hosting this for the first time, and we have lots of great things planned. This Sunday is the last day to register, so do it now if you haven’t!
Inspired by the poetry workshop I attended, and it being the first day of Spring, I share this poem by Billy Collins, who served as the Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003.
“Today” by Billy Collins
If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.
From Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
Holding you in hope and love,
Rev. D. Scott Cooper
Associate Minister
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
scott@firstuu.org
Today is the first day of spring, but those in our church haven’t waited for the official start date to get busy!
Near the end of February, Rev. Colin, Nina, and I attended the Southwest UU Minister’s Retreat. More than thirty ministers from multiple states gathered at a forested retreat center near (appropriately) Temple. Besides worship services, arts workshops, and taking time to walk the wooded paths, there were a lot of lively conversations.
But perhaps the highlight of the time there was the prolific and famed poet Naomi Shihab Nye reading a selection of her works. The next day she facilitated a workshop, where the ministers wrote our own poems.
The following weekend was the All Church Family Picnic. I understand at least forty people (and two dogs!) had a great time. Unfortunately, I missed it because I was in Dallas that week. I did get to preach the following day, though, at Pathways UU Church in Hurst.
Tomorrow night is Conrad and my ultimate Auction Dinner. We are looking forward to hosting those of you who bid on and won a seat.
Sunday, I’ll be hosting the Inquirer’s Series discussion. Many UU churches offer these as a way to learn more about Unitarian Universalism as well as that particular church. If you’re interested in becoming a member and would like to know more about our UU History and Values, join me after one of the services at the table in Channing Hall.
Then, the next weekend will be First Church’s Annual Spring Retreat at UBarU in Central Texas. Kinsey and I are excited to be hosting this for the first time, and we have lots of great things planned. This Sunday is the last day to register, so do it now if you haven’t!
Inspired by the poetry workshop I attended, and it being the first day of Spring, I share this poem by Billy Collins, who served as the Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 to 2003.
“Today” by Billy Collins
If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.
From Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins
Holding you in hope and love,
Rev. D. Scott Cooper
Associate Minister
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston
scott@firstuu.org
