News – May 27, 2022

School is almost out and summer is mostly here. It’s time for the daily sunscreen slather, toting the reusable water bottle everywhere, and scheduling outdoor activities around the hottest hours of the afternoon. It’s also time for the annual meeting, (June 5th, after the second service). We will be voting on candidate slates for the Nominating Committee and the Board, as well as a resolution to amend our Articles of Incorporation. Please make plans to attend in person, as we will not be live streaming.

Developmental Ministry Updates
Identity – Mission/Vision/Covenant
If you did not attend or watch the live feed of the first annual Covenant Sunday, I hope you will watch the recorded sermon here. Reverend Colin provided some history of UU covenants in general, and then looked at the records (limited as they are) of FUUCH’s covenants. We heard from the Mission, Vision and Covenant committee about their preparations for beginning a series of conversations (in various forms) with the congregation starting in June. That work will continue through the fall and ultimately culminate with a special congregational meeting in January 2023, at which the members will vote to approve a new Mission, Vision, and Covenant for First UU.

Governance, Ministry and Administration
Many of you attended one of the three meetings held over the past month to explain and discuss the changes that need to be made to our formation documents. We will be voting on a resolution to approve adoption of a restatement of our articles of incorporation at the annual meeting on June 5. You can find a written explanation of the need for the changes here. The full text of the resolution is available here, and the final version of the amended articles of incorporation is here. In the interest of timeliness, we do not expect to have discussion of the resolution or articles at the annual meeting. However, we are happy to answer any questions in advance. You can email them to board@firstuu.org, and a board member will respond promptly. 

Multiculturalism, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion
The third Spanish language service of the year was held on Mother’s Day. In person attendance was the same as for the Christmas Eve service, but many who attended the Christmas Eve service were visitors, while most who attended the Mother’s Day service were regular participants in the Spanish language program.  

The third of ten conversations in the series on Religion in Houston’s Pan-African Community was held Tuesday at First UU with Gladys el-House, who provided a fascinating history of Freedmen’s Town, and the decades-long fight to preserve it. The fourth conversation in the series will be held with Reverend Dr. Samuel H. Smith at 6:00 pm on June 2, at Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church. You don’t want to miss it!

Growth and Membership Engagement
Our membership has officially reached 300! We continue to attract and welcome visitors both online and in person, and they continue to choose to join us in our work of weaving a tapestry of love and action. There are new faces in the choir, teaching RE, working to green the campus…pretty much everywhere you look. What a delight and a blessing. In addition to planned activities, FUUCH showed up at three demonstrations in support of reproductive justice, and will be attending the demonstration at noon on May 27 at Discovery Green, in support of gun control. The Justice Coordinating Council is making preparations for the next UU the Vote campaign, which will be starting in June. 

As we shift into our summer routines, I hope each of us will take time to slow down, catch up on rest, and do those things that nourish our spirits. The last few weeks have been overwhelming at times as we have learned of attacks on reproductive rights, and witnessed more mass shootings. This is a reminder that self-care is important, and something we all need to be deliberate about practicing. Spend some time outside touching the ground, do the things that bring you joy, seek out beauty, be with people whose company refreshes you. If you are feeling powerless, attend a rally or march. It’s remarkably reassuring and encouraging to gather with others who share the same concerns and convictions. 

Summer means we have the opportunity to spend more time together, and that is a good thing, especially now. Whether you join one of the volunteer opportunities offered through the Justice Coordinating Council, come to the Spaghetti Supper, or just come to an in-person service after a period of participating online, I hope you will spend some of your summertime hours being together with us. Time spent together is how we support each other, deepen our relationships, strengthen our community, and rediscover our strength. Come join in.