Sunday, December 14, 11 am    “Holiday Sing-along” 
Bring family and friends and come sing along with the holiday songs requested by the congregation.  We’ll have traditional and modern songs, kid’s and adult’s favorites!

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

Sunday, December 14, 9:45 am   “DeGrowth”

Many people consider eternal growth on a finite planet impossible. However, the limiting factors and the possible alternatives are not widely understood. Resource exhaustion—The Malthusian Trap—has always been avoided by innovation and substitution. Circular Economies for recycling materials work on a planetary scale for hunter-gatherers with population densities below the environmental carrying capacity, but not for industrial societies. The ultimate limiting factors turn out to be pollution—think CO2 concentration and forever chemicals; and waste disposal—think radioactive waste, plastic in the oceans, and toxic residues from mining. Growth has been associated with widespread improvement in prosperity, but also the social costs of negative externalities, boom-and-bust cycles, extreme inequality, and war. Degrowth—fewer people, less resource intensity, lower Gross Domestic Product—has happened involuntarily and with increased general misery during economic downturns and civilizational collapse. Can we imagine stable economies with high quality of life, high resource efficiency, and a spirit of abundance? How might we transition toward such a future? Ron Masters will lead.

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

Sunday, December 7,  11 am   "A Year of infamy:  UU Response to Christian Nationalism's Project 2025?"

FDR called for a declaration of war based on what happened on a Sunday morning 84 years ago. On December 7, our Emeritus Minister returns to share reflections on the last 40 weeks of our contemporary history. The service will be followed by a Deeper Dive discussion group in the conference room.

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

November 9, 9:45 am   “Music as a spiritual language across cultures.”

Ryan Donohue will introduce the discussion on this fascinating topic

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

Wild Dark Shore

by Charlotte McConaghy 

REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • #1 AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR SO FAR 2025

An ENTHRALLING new novel from the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of Migrations and Once There Were Wolves

"A WILDLY TALENTED writer." ―Emily St. John Mandel
“SPELLBINDING...Exceptionally imagined, thoroughly humane.” —Washington Post
“Abounds with EVOCATIVE nature writing.” —The New York Times Book Review

A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.

But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late—and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

Books are selected by the members of the Women’s Book Club

Reoccurring monthly on the First Monday, starting at 1:00 PM; we meet in members’ homes.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

November 30, 11:00am “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail”

Using the play The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, we will explore conscience and the sacred act of resistance. Drawing on UU principles of inherent worth, justice, and the free search for truth, we'll reflect on how saying “no” to injustice can be an expression of both faith and compassion. Amanda Ayles in the pulpit.

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

November 30, 9:45 am  “AED’s  Can save lives!” 

What everyone should know: An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can be used by anyone, regardless of medical training, for a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. The device is designed to be simple to use. The AED provides voice and visual prompts to guide the user through the process. Speakers: Dr. Michael Crouch and Medic Rico Suarez

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

November 23,  11 am   Annual Bread Communion

For those of you who are new to Unitarian Universalism, the annual Bread Ceremony is one of our major rituals.  Everyone is encouraged to bring a bread or other baked good that is meaningful to them. You will be invited to share a sentence or two about why the bread is important to you or your family history. Afterwards we will all break bread together – sharing our meaningful baked goods and apple cider together in fellowship.  

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

This is an intergenerational service, so there will be no Religious Exploration class for the kids this week. The nursery will be available for kids under the age of five. You are invited to join us for hospitality after the service.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

Sunday, November 23, 9:45 am  “Thanksgiving food traditions”

Foodie Alliey Roche will lead this discussion where we look at holiday food traditions.

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

Please join us for the Men's monthly dinner group.

Location: Beck’s Prime 1822 Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478

Let us know to look out for you! Get in Touch.

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

2nd Friday Discussion Group will meet on Nov 14th at Becks Prime:
1822 SH-6 S, Sugar Land, TX  77478.  
Near the Sugar Land Whole Foods.  
Here’s the menu: https://www.becksprime.com/menu/menu.pdf  

TOPIC: TBD

Reoccurring monthly on the Second Friday.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

November 9, 11 am    “Overcoming Anxiety: Making Room for Grace & Gratitude?” 
As progressive social trends and assumptions have been reversed over the past year, many of us have experienced increasing anxiety about the future of our country . With the holiday season approaching, how can we maintain hope in the face of such adversity? Our Emeritus Minister, Rev. Dan King, returns to our pulpit to offer reflections and observations for our consideration.

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over. You are invited to join us for hospitality after the service.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

Sunday, December 7, 9:45 am   “Hyderabad , India ”

Hyderabad, the six largest city in India, is a fast growing, diverse, modern city with vibrant high tech and financial tech sectors. For a city of this size, crime and homelessness are remarkably low, and attendance at area universities is exceptionally high. It’s a place where Hindus, Muslims, and Christians live together peacefully. What makes this city so economically and culturally vibrant? Given the low average wage compared to that of major U.S. cities, how are they able to effectively provide the basics of food, shelter, transportation, and healthcare? What can we learn from this amazing city that we can borrow to improve where we live? Presented by John Venerusa.

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

The Briar Club: A Thrilling and Powerful Story of Female Friendships and Secrets 

by Kate Quinn 

“Quinn evocatively balances the outward cheerfulness of the 1950s with historical observations exploring racism, misogyny, homophobia and political persecution in this sharply drawn, gripping novel.” - People Magazine

The New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye and The Rose Code returns with a haunting and powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, DC, boardinghouse during the McCarthy era.

Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss, whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare.

Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst?

Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

Books are selected by the members of the Women’s Book Club

Reoccurring monthly on the First Monday, starting at 1:00 PM; we meet in members’ homes.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

November 2,  11 am   "Letting Go of Fear”

Fear can be a great self-defense mechanism; but, it can kill us. Rev. Daniel O’Connell is in the pulpit

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over. You are invited to join us for hospitality after the service.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

November 2, 9:45 am   “Near death experiences and Deathbed Visions ”

Dr. Christopher Kerr a Hospice Physician noted: “pre-death dreams and visions among my dying patients made me realize how significant a phenomenon this was, both at a clinical and a human level “. Dr Kerr has been at the bedsides of thousands of patients who, in the face of death, speak of love, meaning, and grace. They reveal that there is often hope beyond cure as they transition from a focus on treatment to notions of personal meaning. Pre-death dreams and visions are manifestations of a time of integration and coming into oneself. These are powerful and stirring experiences that occur in the last days or hours of life and that constitute moments of genuine insight and vivid re-centering for patients. They often mark a clear transition from distress to acceptance, a sense of tranquility and wholeness for the dying. Patients consistently describe them as “more real than real,” and they are each as unique as the individual having them.“Death is but a Dream” by Christopher Kerr MD.  Presented by Tamara Veneruso RN

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

October 26, 11 am   “The Art of Making Mistakes”

Artie Throop is our speaker, and they will reflect on what art has taught them about mistakes, being comfortable in learning through mistakes (and enjoying the process), and accepting other’s mistakes.

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

During in-person worship service, Religious Education is offered for children 5 and over. You are invited to join us for hospitality after the service.

Interested in joining this service in person? Get in Touch!

October 26, 9:45 am  “Stupidity: a powerful voice in human history”

Big or small, every detail in our behavior can be explained by looking at the past, from dietary choices to how we've used stories to advance. But if progress is narrative-driven, what comes next? 

In Yuval's extended Brief But Spectacular take he speaks on humanity's superpower, the paradox of wisdom and the relationship between government and war. Led by Jim Sheridan.

Adult Discussion Group will be meeting in person @ 9:45 AM in Thoreau’s Clark Cabin except on the third Sunday of each month when we will meet in the Sanctuary @ 11 AM.

The AC and HEPA filter will be running to keep Clark Cabin & the Sanctuary as safe as possible.

For those that prefer: We will provide ZOOM via the OWL system when we meet in the cabin & our Moderator Tamara will recognize your hand up and add you to the queue.

Thoreauvians and friends will be notified each week (tuucannounce@groups.io) of our ADG topic, time and zoom login.
Please keep an eye out for our notices.

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!

Please join us for the Men's monthly dinner group.

Location: Beck’s Prime 1822 Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478

Let us know to look out for you! Get in Touch.

AE Lunchitarians

This is a recurring virtual meeting every Wednesday from noon - 1:30 PM.

Thoreau Lunchitarians discuss books, or other matters arising

Check your email for topic details and the Zoom link!

Interested in joining this discussion? Get in Touch!