October 2004 Worship Services

Ministerial Cognitions

There is very great virtue in the cultivation of silence, and strength to be found in using it as a door to God. Such a door opens within. --- Howard Thurman

Well, a new church year has begun. We have had a successful book and craft sale. We completed work on a bylaw change?now we are using a consensus model for decision-making. Our Long-Range Planning Committee is forming to help us develop a vision for Spindletop Unitarian Church. Our Covenant Groups are active. And your minister is back in the pulpit. Life is good.

During this church year, we are going to be called to think more about what we want from our church. And we are going to be called to explore what gift(s) we bring to this church that we might be able to share with this congregation.

We will need to take time to contemplate on what are the reasons that we gather as a church. We each need to take time to listen to that still small voice inside each of us that connects with the eternal to understand what being a Unitarian Universalist means to us. We will need silent time to explore what we want Spindletop Unitarian Church to stand for in our community.

During this year, our church will offer each of us opportunities for spiritual growth. Our church will offer each of us an opportunity to work together for social justice. Our church will offer each of us opportunities to help others in need. Our church will offer opportunities for all of these, and we will all find a way to participate in the work of the church as one expression of our faith.

When we bring our hearts and minds to church we explore the meaning and purpose of our existence. We take time in silent meditation to explore how we connect with the interdependent web of all existence. We also find ways to live our faith in our lives. One of the goals Unitarian Universalism and Spindletop Unitarian Church is to help each of us explore ways to live our faith in action. This is one of the tenets of our faith.

I believe that if you have a passion for spiritual growth, social justice, or aiding the less privileged, then this should be where you put your energies in your community and in your church. I believe we will have a great year, and that each of us will find our niche in the church. So don?t always ask what your church can do for you, ask what you can do for your church.

Let us open the door to the divine within,

Rev. Tom

Worship Services:

October 3

Rev. William Ellery Channing-Our Unitarian Forebearer by Rev. Tom Capo

In the nineteenth century, Channing wrote his opus, Unitarian Christianity. He was also one of the leaders of our faith at its inception. He refused to let his congregation know the topics of his sermons in advance because he didn't want them to come to church only on days when they felt his sermons would be interesting. I guess you will just have to wait and hear what I will be saying about him.

October 10

The Month of Ramadan Begins by Rev. Tom Capo

Those of the Islamic faith begin the month long celebration of Ramadan on October 15. This holy holiday involves fasting, charity, and prayer. Each day, Muslims practice sawm, or fasting from sunrise to sunset, no food or water. Fasting is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. Let us explore this most sacred tradition from the Islamic faith.

October 17

The Humanist Controversies by Rev. Tom Capo

UU Humanists were involved in a controversy with the Theists in the 1920s. UU Humanists were more recently involved in a controversy with the UU Pagans. However, our Principles are generally based on Humanist ethics. As we explore our Humanist legacy, what is the significance of these controversies to our Unitarian Universalist faith?

October 24

The Wisdom of Confucius by Dr. Li Chen Ma

October 31

A Samhain Ritual by Sharon Colbert & Tom Harlan