Upcoming Events
Note: Meeting room numbers are posted at the church office and information table
New U Class
Saturday, February 4, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Primarily a pathway to membership, but everyone is welcome. We will explore how your spiritual journey led you to us and how UUs talk about religion. You’ll have a short tour of the building and find out the way things run here at First Church. During the class you’ll have the opportunity to meet several church leaders and staff. We’ll do our best to answer your questions. The day includes a complimentary lunch, giving everybody an opportunity to get better acquainted. Please sign up at the Information Table in Channing Hall or call the office at 713-526-5200.
Membership Enrollment Day
Sunday, February 5
If you would like to join First Church, we ask that you complete the Enrollment Forms: New Member Information, Talents and Interests, Pledge Card and Skills Inventory. These forms are available in the office or from a Sunday Morning Hospitality Tea.m. member. Membership enrollment is held the first Sunday of each month at the Welcome Table in Channing Hall after each worship service. The next opportunity is Sunday, February 5. You can turn in your enrollment forms at the Welcome Table in Channing Hall. We welcome the possibility of your joining us soon and hope that your relationship with First Church will be spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally rewarding.
Young Adults
Sunday, February 5
Everyone in their 20s and 30s is invited to join other young adults after the late worship service on the first Sunday of each month and head out to a local restaurant for a good meal, great conversation, fun and fellowship. Join us on Sunday, February 5, after the late church service when we gather in the front courtyard.
Growth Groups
Beginning Sunday, February 5
Growth Groups are small groups designed to provide members and friends with a setting in which to get to know each other while discussing the week’s sermon and how the subject matter affects our daily lives and spiritual growth. The groups will meet weekly for ten weeks. After the first three weeks, a commitment for the remaining seven is expected of group members. More info
Sunday Discussion Circle
Sundays, 11:30 a.m.
We have a good time educating ourselves and getting to know each other by discussing a wide variety of topics with the help of facilitators and group guidelines.
Feb. 5: How do you bring magic into your life? Bring a story of magic that is meaningful to you, or a magic trick. Facilitators: Stan and Michelle
Feb. 12: Karen Armstrong, a religious writer and author of A History of God, and Robert Thomas, a former Buddhist monk and professor of religion, collaborated with others on a Charter for Compassion. Let's discuss it and the role of compassion in our faith and how we integrate it into our lives. Facilitator: Eric Botts
Feb. 19: Why are reality shows so popular and have they influenced or affected your life? Facilitator: Michelle
Feb. 26: What is forgiveness? How might our UU values help us deal with the challenges of forgiving ourselves, others and the unforgivable? Facilitator: Pa.m. Perry
Owning Your Religious Past
Sundays, Feb. 5, 12,11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Are you a "born again" UU? The majority of Unitarian Universalists come into the denomination from other religions; often there have been several stops along the path into our congregations. Owning Your Religious Past provides an opportunity to reckon with our religious upbringings and integrate them into our current religious lives. The 5 workshops provide insight, understanding, and some simple yet powerful tools through which we may re-exa.m.ine and retrieve positive aspects of past religious connections. The workshops address the affective elements of these connections, rather than dogma. The workshop is designed to provide both group sharing and private exploration, using journal writing exercises. Co-facilitators: Steve Braun, Ka.m.al Maheshwari, and Pa.m. Perry
Exploring Mindfulness with Recorded Talks &
Guided Meditations
Sundays, 10:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
(during brunch between the services)
All are welcome to join us as we listen to 5 to 15-minute recorded talks and guided meditations from meditation teachers such as Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg. We get to know each other by sharing an experience. All are welcome, even if you come in late. Facilitators: Pa.m. Perry, Dennis Mila.m. and Adriana Ley Smith
Monday Meditations
Mondays, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Appropriate for beginners and experienced meditators, each class includes a short session of gentle movements to relax and loosen up the body, basic instructions for following the breath as a focus in Vipassana (Insight) meditation and a period of silent meditation. The class will end with either a talk or a discussion of a short reading relating Buddhist philosophy to daily life. Facilitator: Ginger Clarkson, Trained Community Dharma Leader
Saint Valentine’s Concert and Dance
Saturday, February 11, 6:00 p.m.
Featuring the Texas Southern University
Jazz Experience Big Band
In a repeat engagement following last year’s highly successful and enjoyable event, the TSU Jazz Experience Big Band will be featured in our annual Valentine’s Concert. Our own Jason Oby will be featured in performances of some of the most memorable love songs as recorded by Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and the Duke Ellington Orchestra to na.m.e but a few. The band is led by Horace Alexander Young who has enjoyed a distinguished performing career throughout the United States and abroad as a woodwind artist and composer/arranger. Mr. Young has a long-standing affiliation with First Church dating back to 1972 when he played the first jazz service held in our sanctuary.
Audience members will be encouraged to dance and enjoy a relaxed evening with a wide variety of music evocative of the spirit of love. Desserts and cha.m.pagne will be served.
Advance tickets may be purchased for $25.00 in Channing Hall on Sundays, in the church office during the week, or on the church web site.
Parents Group
Sunday, February 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Looking for thoughtful parents who share your values and concerns? Now would be a good time to join us. Infants are welcome in our group. Child care is provided in the nursery for older children. Contact Sue Steinhardt at ParentsGroupCoordinator@firstuu.org.