June 2006 Worship Services

Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivbe harvested.

Well, summer begins, and it is time for your minister to take June and July off to prepare for the next church year. This last church year was very busy, and we still have a lot going on. I will be out of the pulpit for the next couple of months, but keep the faith, because I know you will have a wonderful slate of Speakers this Summer--I know because I have talked to Pam Saur, our worship chairperson--and many of the convenant groups will be continuing throughout the summer.

This summer I will be attending the Southwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SWUUSI), and leading a workshop on Prayer and Meditation. At SWUUSI, I will be meeting with the ministers of our Southwest District, as well as starting to write a book on the need for civility in our society. I hope some of you will join me at Lake Texoma for SWUUSI--there will lots of Unitarian Universalists, lots of fun (we might even do Karaoke), lots of time to socialize (you can even come up and sit with me on the terrace of the motel at night; this is a good time to get to know your fellow UUs), and lots of workshops--Religious Liberalism, Religious Freedom, and Democracy; Femi9 Strengths; Modern Science and Knowing for Non- Scientists; Being a UU Family; and lots more. If you have never attended, consider it--it is inexpensive and lots of fun.

This summer, I also be doing a lot reading and writing. I have books lined up like--the late Rev. Dr. Frank Schulman's new book on Liturgy; Rev. Matt Tittle's new book of sermons; and Gilead--the fictional story of a minister; one minister told me this book was chock-full of sermon material. I get to catch up on my Parabola: The Search For Meaning Magazines. In addition, my son has recommended, Snow Crash, which he feels has some significant religious overtones--it is the story of a pizza delivery guy in the future who is also a secret agent in a virtual world. I promised him I would read it, and tell him what I think. You might hear more about this book in one of my sermons next year.

I will be back and forth from Beaumont this summer as well. I will be attending the congregational meeting and the board retreat. I will be keeping in contact with the board throughout this summer, as we continue the process of moving the church. And I will be available to members of the congregation by Email--tcapo@houston.rr.com--and by phone-- home 281-532-0818 and cell 281-468-2800.

I will miss everyone this summer, but I will be refreshed and prepared as we start a new church year in August. Have a great summer everyone.

Rev. Tom

Worship Services:

June 4

Martha's Side by Martha Troxell, member

The Biblical Martha returns to tell her side of the story that Luke left our of his account (Luke 10:38-42), and she doesn’t pull any punches, either. To this sermon, by UU minister Rev. Christine Robinson, Martha Troxell will add her own stories as the two Marthas consider an old problem that is still troubling us today.

June 11

Intelligent Design by Bruce Drury, Lamar University

The religious, educational, and sometimes political debates about evolution versus creationism have recently begun to include a third alternative, intelligent design. Does this term refer to a middle ground, a new theory, or is it a disguise for creationism invented to sneak religion into the public schools? This talk will illuminate a term many people have heard but don’t fully understand.

June 18

Practicing Tolerance in an Era of Diversity by Jill Carroll

This talk will examine the challenges of developing the capacity within ourselves to deal with increasing religious diversity in our communities, cities and country - even the world.

Potluck - Noon

June 25

To Be Announced by Rachelsarah Cludius