News: November 7, 2025

Dear Members and Friends,

I’ve returned to Houston after a longer-than-usual time away. I spent a week in Dallas before Conrad and I went on vacation. I then spent another week in Dallas, where I was able to celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.

I was banking those away-days in preparation for the many upcoming holiday activities.

Speaking of banking, I need to remind you of some guidelines we suggest for keeping your money safe. We appreciate your kind and generous nature, but two important things:

We’ve become aware that some individuals from the neighborhood have been asking congregants in Channing Hall for money on Sundays. We welcome many people to our church, and the unsheltered from the neighborhood are no different. We are happy to provide them with a bit of food and conversation, but they have been told our hospitality ends when they begin asking people for money. If you are asked, please let Tawanna or the security guard know immediately, and don’t give them any money.

And please never send money or gift cards to anyone who contacts you via text, social media, or email claiming to be Dr. Bossen, Nina, or me. The email is always from some look-alike address, and insists they need the money immediately. When in doubt (and you should always be suspicious) contact the office before you respond to them at all.

Several years ago, my parents were almost taken in by several over-the-phone scams. One claimed to be calling on behalf of my nephew who (they claimed) was in dire trouble, so they needed to send money immediately. Another claimed to be tech support (from their bank, I suppose) and was giving my dad instructions to perform on his computer, which would have drained their bank account. Thankfully, my sister arrived in time to stop it. Always be skeptical when someone calls you.

I have been getting several innocuous-looking texts from unknown numbers. They read something like “Are we still on for tonight?” or “Is now a good time to call?” You may think it's polite to text back and tell them they have a wrong number, but once you do, they’ll know they have a working number and call or text to try to swindle you. They may even send a text with a link. Never, ever click on a link from an unknown number.

AARP has a good article about scams to watch out for, as does Experian.

I’m excited to return to the pulpit to share “The Butterfly Effect,” this upcoming Sunday. Then I’ll be counting the days until Wicked: For Good, with its political allusions and soaring music, opens on November 21st. Did you have to wonder if I’d be there?

Two days later, as Nina reminded us last week, our annual multi-generational Thanksgiving service, “Bread Communion, Needing Bread” will take place. Don’t forget to bring bread from home to share that day.

There will be "disco fever" on Saturday night, December 6th, at our annual church auction. Break out your satin shirt and bell-bottom pants or sequined dress and platform boots. You know they’re in the back of the closet somewhere. There will be plenty to bid on, including Conrad’s and my now-iconic annual dinner.

As you can tell, there is a lot to do coming up! Please join us.

Holding you in hope and love,

Rev. D. Scott Cooper 
Associate Minister 
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston