of Houston, TX,
Sunday Services
Sunday Service
Worship Service - 10:00 AM
Corner Forum - 11:15 AM
Adult Religious Education - 11:15 AM
Children's Religious Education - 11:15 AM
Our Affirmation
From all that dwell below the skies
Let songs of hope and faith arise;
Let peace, goodwill on earth be sung
Through every land by every tongue.
All ages are invited to attend our worship service. Near the beginning of the service the younger children are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary to hear the children's story. After that, the congregation sings them to Children's Chapel. Middle School and High School students are encouraged to stay for the remainder of the service in sanctuary.
Anything said at our services is for your intellectual and spiritual stimulation; no one is asked to agree or acquiesce to any doctrine or creed. Instead, you are free to seek the truth for yourself according to the dictates of your own reason and conscience. All are encouraged to give input and suggestions for speakers as it is a vital part of our church's spiritual growth.
July 22, 2007 - “How can the painting ever hope to know the painter?”
July 22, 2007
“How can the painting ever hope to know the painter?”
By Mark Webber
Bahá'u'lláh, revered by Bahá'ís as the Manifestation of the Names and Attributes of God, teaches that God is an unknowable Essence and uses the metaphor of the painting symbolizing created humanity and the painter symbolizing God, the Creator. Today our speaker, Mark Webber will give us a glimpse into the teachings of the Bahá'í faith regarding their defined relationship with God; touch on some Bahá'í teachings that form a part of the purpose of our lives; and equate these teachings to the principles of Unitarian Universalists.
July 29, 2007 - "The Dangers of Religious Fundamentalism".
July 29, 2007
"The Dangers of Religious Fundamentalism"
By Rabbi Jan M. Brahms
Rabbi Brahms provides some information on how all forms of religion can express themselves in open and embracing ways, but at the same time fall into the dangers of being interpreted in a fundamentalist way. Islam will be one example, but he will also explore other dictates and dangers of conservative and literalistic viewpoints in religion.
Rabbi Brahms has impressive credentials, being involved in the following areas:
Instructor in Judaic Studies, University of Cincinnati, Unit Supervisor and Program Director, Jewish Community Center, Camp Wise, Cleveland, Ohio, Student Rabbi, Congregation B'nai Israel, Columbus, Mississippi, Assistant Rabbi, The Temple, Congregation Ohabai, Commissioner, Metropolitan Human Relations Commission of Nashville and Davidson County, Sholom, Nashville, Tennessee, Rabbi, Congregation B'nai Israel, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Founder, Baton Rouge Clergy Study Association and many others.
August 5, 2007 - Kurt Vonnegut, Religion and the Meaning of Life
August 5, 2007
Kurt Vonnegut, Religion and the Meaning of Life
By Hallie Moore
"I don't know about you, but I practice a disorganized religion. I belong to an unholy disorder. We call ourselves "Our Lady of Perpetual Astonishment."
--K.V.
"We are here on earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you any different." --K.V.
Join Hallie Moore (half humanist, half believer in the Force) to ponder the seriousness of these thoughts together on Sunday, August 5
Hallie Moore has been associated with a Unitarian Universalist Church since her daughter was dedicated at First Church in San Francisco some 36 years ago. More recently, she has taught RE, chaired the lay ministry committee, participated in the Ministerial Search, initiated sales of Fair Trade products at Northwoods, spearheaded a volunteer group to Honduras, and coordinated a weekly meditation circle. In her spare time she is a writing coach, academic tutor, and poet.
August 12, 2007 - Songs That Should Be in the Hymnbook, but Aren't
August 12, 2007
"Songs That Should Be in the Hymnbook, but Aren't"
by Bil Cusack
This service brings full on Rock and Roll to the front to ask the question; How important is the music we hear everyday? I feel strongly that it is the glue that binds us together through our lifetime. Sting, Neal Young, Billy Joel, The Beatles, and many more are on the set list.
We'll sing, dance, and celebrate the soundtrack of of our lives:
Rock and Roll!
August 19, 2007 - Homecoming Sunday
August 19, 2007
Homecoming Sunday
by Cheryl Perry
In this annual service, we welcome congregants and friends back from the summer and mark the beginning of the religious education year. Please bring your actual or symbolic sacred water collections from your summer travels to contribute to the water ceremony that is part of this traditional service
August 26, 2007 - The Four Noble Truths
August 26, 2007
The Four Noble Truths
By Dr. Jill Carroll
The many strands of Buddhism all enshrine the Four Noble Truths as being at the very heart of Buddhist philosophy. The historical Buddha taught these truths to his first disciples, who then spread it to others and, thus, began a process that has resulted in Buddhism now being the third largest religion in the world. In this message, Dr. Jill Carroll will discuss the basics of these central truths of Buddhism and how they can transform our lives regardless of our religious belief or nonbelief.
Dr. Carroll is the Associate Director of the Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University. She is also Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Rice. In addition to teaching at Rice, she has taught widely in the Houston area, including at all campuses of the University of Houston system, The Women’s Institute of Houston, The Jung Center of Houston, and in the Texas State prison system. She is the author of 3 books and has been a columnist for The Chronicle of Higher Education. Through her own company and in collaboration with other organizational consultants, she has done religious diversity training for corporations, groups and individuals.
September 2, 2007
September 2, 2007
“Peace Dancers”
Come hear about our belief in "Creating peace within ourselves, our community, and our worlds by dancing freely together as often as possible!”
We Believe & Hold the Intentional Vision that Dance creates Peace within Ourselves, Peace in our Communities, and Peace in our World, & We are Experiencing the Truth of this as we Dance Together!
“Sunshine Sydney” and her group is also a part of “Ecstatic Dance Houston”—a group just spotlighted on PBS. This dance group produces weekly & monthly Community dances as well as workshops and events. Their goal is to promote a nurturing environment adding JOY & LOVE, APPRECIATION & GRATITUDE to people's lives.
The Ecstatic Peace Dancers joined us for our “Peace and Wellness Festival” and were wonderfully received by our congregants. Please join us for this upcoming exciting event!
September 9, 2007
September 9, 2007
UU Home Companion
By Cheryl Perry and Tom Parker
Don't Miss It! The UU Home Companion -- An Old-Fashioned Radio Show. Sunday, September 9, 2007 brought to you by the folks at WNWC radio featuring: Tom Parker as Strom Darker, private eye, Bud and Estelle, the Mount Kalamata Penticoastal Gospel Choir, Fanny Whynot, Swindoo Vagami, spiritual advisor to the stars and a host of musical guests.
September 16, 2007
September 16, 2007
The Spirit of Unitarian Universalism
By: Teri A. Massengale
I have been accused of being a UU evangelist, and I have to admit it is not without cause, because I love all the facets of this great religion and take every opportunity to share my enthusiasm. I look forward to sharing this with you.
Teri A. Massengale recently completed her tenure as Ministerial Consultant to Brazos Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in College Station. She received her Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and resides with her partner of 12 years in Bryan.
Sept 23, 2007
Sept 23, 2007
Compassionate Communication
By: Bren Hardt
Bren Hardt is the Peace with Justice Coordinator for the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and former public school teacher of math and computing. She has been a leader in the Houston area with a number of organizations including The Decade of Nonviolence-Houston (www.DecadeofNonviolence-Houston.org) and The Fellowship of Reconciliation. She is currently working toward CNVC-trainer certification and will be joining over 200 NVC trainers worldwide in sharing the process of conflict resolution created by clinical psychologist and international peacemaker Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. Bren is a frequent presenter and event organizer in the Texas gulf coast area on issues of justice and reconciliation.
September 30, 2007
September 30, 2007
We are the Keepers of the Dream
By: Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle
This sermon compares elements of Theodore Parker's sermon "The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity" with the dreams and messages of other prophets such as King, Gandhi, and Jesus. It is about the importance of the message over the messengers. It is a powerful, call to action sermon, with an important historical UU message.
Rev. Dr. Matt Tittle has been minister of the Bay Area UU Church in Houston since 2004. He is a retired naval officer, former university professor, marathoner, and triathlete. He recently finished the Ironman Arizona triathlon.
Come join us Sunday. We welcome visitors and would like to meet you.
Houston, Texas