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First Church Now
October 26 - November 2, 2014
Día de los Muertos
Sunday, October 26
Our annual Day of the Dead service, a multi-generational service to be celebrated simultaneously at all
three of our campuses. Bring a photo or memento of a departed loved one to church for our memory table.
NEW GROWTH GROUPS BEGIN SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
You are invited
to join a Growth Group.
Connect with others, make friendships,
Share yourself, your thoughts, ideas and beliefs.
Learn from others’ experiences and wisdom.
Grow your spirit and deepen your life.
Make a difference in the world.
Growth Groups begin October 26 and meet once a week for the next 6 weeks. Now until October 26, Taster
Groups, a one time Growth Group sampler, will also be offered. You will find sign-up sheets in Channing
Hall for groups that will meet on Sundays, after each service, and Tuesday evenings OR write Carol Burrus,
Religious Educator, at carol@firstuu.org, to be added to a list or to answer questions.
Parents Group
Second and Fourth Sundays - October 26, November 9 and November 23 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Looking for thoughtful parents who share your values and concerns? The
Parents Group is a special Growth Group for discovering where and how
our UU values apply to our lives as parents. Infants are welcome in our group.
Childcare is provided in the nursery for older children. Contact Sue Steinhardt or
Natalie Browne at: ParentsGroupCoordinators@firstuu.org
Finding Your Way at First Church
After the service, join us for an informal conversation in Channing Hall at the
Welcome Table. Welcome Team member s will be happy to answer your
questions about our church while you enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal. You
may contact the Welcome Team at welcome@firstuu.org.
Healthy Communications Team
Team representatives are present at a listening table in Channing Hall
after each service to hear concerns that you might have and assist you in finding
the best avenues for resolutions. The team keeps a journal in which you may enter
any comments, compliments and concerns. The team reports to Rev. Daniel on
a weekly basis. If you are not here on a Sunday, you may e-mail the Healthy
Communications Team at hct@firstuu.org.
First Church Now
October 26 - November 2, 2014
Daylight Savings Time Ends - Sunday, November 2, 2:00 a.m.
REMEMBER TO “FALL BACK ” ONE HOUR SUNDAY MORNING
Humanism
Sunday, November 2
Rev. Dr. Daniel O’Connell
One need not have deity to provide religious experience, one only need to be truly awake. We’ll explore
another source of our UU faith: “humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the
results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.” Rev. Daniel O’Connell, preaching.
The Bid Idea: Deeds, Not Creeds
We begin a series on Humanism in November as we continue to explore the six sources of Unitarian
Universalism. Humanist teachings counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and
warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
November 9 - Idolatries of the Mind and Spirit. One of the str engths of our Humanist sour ce is its
warning against becoming too rigid, too convinced of our own brand of truth. We are empowered to pursue
truth wherever it may lead-how do we also remember to hold that truth lightly enough to allow for continued
growth? Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, preaching.
November 16 - Humanism and Morality. The question is still often asked of Humanists: " If you don't
believe in God, how can you be moral?" Let's explore how a Humanist mindset actually helps us develop a
clear sense of morality. Randy Partain, Student Minister, preaching.
November 23 - Bread Communion. Please br ing some br ead to shar e, per haps associated with your
heritage or has some other special meaning. We will share our bread (and the stories of our bread) with each
other. This multi-generational service is a uniquely Unitarian Universalist service, and a fun one to bring a
friend to. We will take a special collection for our international UU Partner Churches today.
Thinking about becoming a member of First Church?
Membership Day is Sunday, November 2, 2014
To join First Church we ask that you complete a few forms: a New Member
Information, Talents and Interests form, a Pledge Card that requires a financial
commitment, and a Skills Inventory form. These forms are available in the office
or from a Welcome Team member on Sunday morning. If you have questions
visit the New Member sign up table in Channing Hall after any service.
New members are invited to join on the first Sunday of each month at the
Welcome Table in Channing Hall after church.
Young Adults Gather for Lunch
First and Third Sundays - November 2 and November 16 - 12:30 p.m.
All between the ages of 19 and 35 are invited to get together with other young adults for social connection
and spiritual growth. Join us for our Twice-a-Month Lunch on the first and third Sunday of every month
as we head out to a local restaurant for a good meal, great conversation and fun.
Gather in the front courtyard at 12:30 p.m. after the second chur ch ser vice.
For information on our current planned activities and to get on our email list
simply email YoungAdultCoordinators@firstuu.org or sign up on the clipboard
on the office counter on Sunday mornings.
First Church Now
October 26 - November 2, 2014
Social Justice Weekly News
Recycling Day for Home Electronics
Sunday, October 26
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Bring any old, worn out computers, tablets, laptops, printers, fax
machines, VCRs/DVD players, cell phones, stereos and other
electronics and miscellaneous items (cords, etc.) to the church for
electronic recycling on Sunday, October 26. You may bring your
“junk” before the first service or drop it off after the second service.
The church has arranged with STS Electronic Recycling Inc. to
provide their services for free.
To see a full list of items they will accept and the security of their recycling and data destruction
processes, as well as their compliance with environmental policies, check their website at
www.stselectronicrecyclinginc.com
Collecting for HAWC’s Holiday Store
November 2 through November 30
We are again collecting gifts for the Houston Area Women’s Center’s Holiday Store.
HAWC’s Holiday Store allows their client moms to “shop” for their kids and the kids
to “shop” for their parents. Stop by the Social Justice table in Channing Hall for a list of
suggested gifts and to sign up as a volunteer to work at the Holiday Store in December.
Can You Read or Do Sixth Grade Math?
If the answer to either question is yes, the children at William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity
(WALIPP Academy) need you. Sixth graders at WALIPP, a school in our neighborhood, are a major focus
of First Church’s Healthy Parenting program.
The kids can use your help in reading and math: you will be assigned one
student, with whom you will work once a week for about an hour in reading
or math, during school hours, and you can develop a rewarding relationship
with this child.
Just ask any of our current tutors. They are making a difference and feeling
the rewards of doing so. Contact our WALIPP tutor coordinator, Nancy
Edwards, needwards@comcast.net or fill out a volunteer card at the Healthy
Parenting table in Channing Hall on Sundays.
The more tutors the more children we can help!
Healthy Parenting
Our Signature Social
Justice Project
First Church Now is our weekly electronic publication (also available in print at the church), which details core
ministry information and opportunities of greatest interest to the larger First Church community. In order to promote
the many other opportunities available, we publish Opportunities for Enrichment. (also available in print at the church)
in which you can find opportunities for discussion, meditation and community. For more information about any of our
ministries, go to www.firstuu.org, call the office at (713) 526-5200, or stop by the information table on Sunday morning.
Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FirstUUHouston. Our email address is church@firstuu.org.
First Church Now
October 26 - November 2, 2014
Fall FUNdraiser and Auction
Saturday, November 1, 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Fall Fundraiser and Auction
Saturday, November 1
It’s a Centennial Celebration as we wish First Church a Happy
100th Birthday at our Fall Fundraiser and Auction on Saturday,
November 1. Come for the fellowship, come for the fun, come
for the food and drink, and come to bid on items during the
silent and live auctions. Come make this year’s FUNdraiser
our best ever!
It’s STILL not too late to DONATE.
You may STILL fill out a Donation Form and have your items listed in the Catalogue Addendum
if you act TODAY , OCTOBER 26.
The final deadline to Register is TODAY , OCTOBER 26.
After that you may register only at the door the night of the party.
You MUST REGISTER in order to BID.
You may bring your items to church starting Sunday, October 26.
Your items MUST BE DELIVERED BY 6:00 P.M. on Friday, October 31.
Stop by the Auction table in Channing Hall to fill out forms.
Volunteers are needed!
To donate food,
To donate Wine and Beer,
To help clean up after the party.