Programming

February 21, 2021

February 14, 2021

February 7, 2021

We don’t spend a lot of time focusing on evil in Unitarian Universalist churches, mainly because we believe humans are fundamentally good and reject the concept of original sin. Dr. Bossen describes this ontological evil, as well as natural and moral evil, and our responsibility to make choices that alleviate suffering and lead to living life to the fullest for ourselves and others. In today’s sermon, he asks, “How are human choices, by those in power, responsible for the deaths and power losses from the winter storm?"

As we negotiate that tension between our hearts and minds, our emotions and our rational inclinations, prophetic people can become our resources. Thandeka, a leading contemporary Unitarian Universalist theologian, is notable among them. In this sermon, Rev. Cooper describes her Contemporary Affect Theology, which tracks how human emotions become religious feelings.

Origen was a North African theologian from the third century CE who believed in universal salvation and taught that scripture was to be interpreted metaphorically. The second source of Unitarian Universalism is the “words and deeds of prophetic women and men.” Throughout Black History month we will be exploring this source with a series of services on the teachings of prophetic people from Africa or of African descent. Today, in Dr. Bossen’s sermon, he discusses not only Origen, but how many people, including one of his theology school classmates, don’t realize the enormous influence of non-European thinkers on the foundations of our theology.

SPECIAL PRAYERS

January 19, 2021

January 6, 2021

November 3, 2020

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston joins our nation in this moment of reflection and shares this Pre-Inauguration Prayer for peace, prosperity, justice and health for all.

And as requested by President-Elect Biden, our church bell will be ringing today at 4:30 pm., remembering all lives lost to COVID-19.

Astonishing and alarming events have unfolded in Washington this afternoon and evening. Treasonous actors stormed, vandalized, and broke into the U.S. Capitol, temporarily stopping the electoral vote. Because of the events of the day, our Senior Minister, the Rev. Dr. Colin Bossen has recorded this Prayer for Democracy. Please join him and your fellow congregants in praying for our country.

Today First Church is offering a prayer for the election. It is an opportunity for everybody to find their center and join in community, albeit online. We invite you to join us!

MINISTERS' FORUMS

February 24, 2021

February 10, 2020

February 3, 2021

This week, Rev. Colin speaks with John "Bunchy" Crear about his time as a member of the Black Panther Party, both in California and here in Houston, Texas. 

Rev. Colin speaks with Zion Escobar about her work with the Freedmen's Town Conservancy. They talk about the importance of Freedmen's Town and the possibilities of making it an important destination for heritage tourism as well as telling the story of freedom.

Rev. Scott speaks with James Wooten about all of the things that the planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science has to offer. They speak about how he became an astronomer, what the planetarium is offering during the pandemic, the "Christmas Star", and the upcoming eclipse.

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