Sunday, February 22,  11 am   ““How We Speak, How We Listen”

In the life of a congregation, communication matters—especially how we listen, how we speak, and how we respond to one another. This gathering will offer a chance to reflect together on everyday communication within our congregation and to practice skills that help us stay connected, thoughtful, and engaged. Presented by Thoreau Congregational Life Committee members Cassey Crouch, Shera Mogri and Manuel Quintana

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, February 22, 9:45 am  "Maritime training in Galveston”

Guest Speaker Ben Golcznski will tell talk about maritime training at Galveston.

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 Feb 13th 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:  Patio Ponderings

At the Second Friday gathering THIS FRIDAY we’ll  discuss a possible field trip next month to the Ismaili Center (https://the.ismaili/us/en/spaces/ismaili-center-houston)  Our tour would include a tour of the building, Q & A, optional lunch onsite, and the opportunity to independently explore the vast gardens.  Some sites say there are 5 ½ acres of gardens; others say 7 acres.  Besides explaining the distinctive (and somewhat UU-like) values of the Ismaili sect and walking us through the museum, gallery, and other indoor areas, our guide would discuss the various garden areas as we pass window views of them.  That will help us all decide which gardens we’d each like to wander after lunch.  

Some have expressed special interest in those gardens.  Some web searching will direct you to a variety of sites providing the details you may care most about.  Here’s one from the Ismaili Center website:  https://the.ismaili/us/en/news/the-architect-who-creates-landscapes-that-forge-community

Mostly, we’ll discuss whatever YOU’D like to discuss.  Maybe the Midterms?  Or Trump’s election interference? OR, as a break from national & global issues, we could discuss Texas education - maybe start with how state schools may reduce “world history and culture” to make more room for Texas history.  Have a look at this excerpt from https://eedition.houstonchronicle.com/infinity/article_popover_share.aspx?guid=3ad38e6d-e495-4e0b-a367-415530b01c6e&share=true:

The Republican-led state board voted in September to support a framework for social studies that will replace the traditional social studies schedule — including fourth- and seventh-grade Texas history. The new framework will reduce instruction on world history and culture while expanding time spent on state history, which will be taught across six grades and become the focus of a new eighth-grade standardized exam.

Another discussable excerpt is an opinion that the proposed plan could

"...fall short in nurturing critical thinking skills for students."

All are welcome to join the Thoreau Second Friday discussion group  at 11 am THIS Friday, February 13,  on the shady patio at Beck’s Prime, 1822 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

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!

Sunday, February 8, 11 am    “The Art of Story Telling” 
Leona Hoegsberg  of the Houston Storyteller Guild will be at Thoreau to tell us a few stories and talk about how to be a good storyteller.  As Valentine Day draws near, we think about love. Leona’s stories are rooted in love. The stories have animals in each one but also love and joy.

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, February 15, 9:45 am   “For the love of music”

Your first or most memorable musical experience was probably in your teens or 20s, with all the nostalgia and memories tied to those formative years. Who was performing, when and where, and what do you remember about the music and overall experience? It might have been folk music in a coffee shop, a fine arts recital from a soloist, your first symphony or opera, or an ear-ringing heavy metal show. Come share yours and be regaled by others’ memories! Doug Kohn 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!

Saturday, February 7th,  2 to 5 pm 🎲 Thoreau Game Night 🎲

Join us for an evening of fun, connection, and friendly competition at Thoreau Game Night! Whether you’re a board game enthusiast, a card game casual, or someone who just enjoys good company, this night is for you.

We’ll have a variety of games available, and you’re welcome to bring a favorite to share. Come solo, bring a friend, or make new ones as we gather for laughter, low-pressure play, and community building.

No prior game experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and your playful spirit.

👉 Please sign up in advance using the link below so we can plan accordingly:
Sign up for Thoreau Game Night

We can’t wait to play with you!

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!

Isola by Allegra Goodman

REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history.”—Jodi Picoult, author of By Any Other Name

“A new generation of survival story . . . an extraordinary book that reads like a thriller, written with the care of the most delicate psychological and historical fiction.”—Vogue (Best of 2025 Preview)

A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this “lushly painted” (People) historical epic of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam.

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: TIME, The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, NPR, Slate, The Globe and Mail, Kirkus Reviews, Town & Country, Lit Hub, Christian Science Monitor • FINALIST FOR THE KIRKUS PRIZE • LONGLISTED FOR THE AMERICAN LIBRARY IN PARIS BOOK AWARD

Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. That journey takes a unexpected turn when Marguerite, accused of betrayal, is brutally punished and abandoned on a small island.

Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she’d never before needed.

Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.

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!

Sunday, February 1,  11 am   ""UU Civic Virtues: Passionately Moderate?"

Emeritus Minister Rev. Dan King returns to share observations and reflections on the strategy for ethical compromise proposed by retired Clemson University economist and longtime UU lay leader Holley Hewitt Ulbrich. 

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,  February 1, 9:45 am   “America will be the last superpower”

The true measure of a nation's power isn't found in its politics or economy, but in the most overlooked factor of all: its geography. We reveal how the United States won the geographic lottery and compare its advantages to the immense physical challenges facing Russia, China, and Africa. By the end, you'll understand how the land itself predetermines which countries rise and fall, and why a nation's fate is ultimately written on the map. Presented 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!

Sunday, January 25,  11 am   “The Future of Work is Deeply Human”

Six global trends are actively shaping the future of work. These trends will impact all types of workplaces and endeavors, but their impact will vary by geography and sector. Perhaps the most rapid change involves the use of artificial intelligence and automation. While some jobs will be replaced by technology, there will be an increase in jobs requiring human-technology integration. What implications does the evolving future of work have for communities like Thoreau? Betty Johnson in the pulpit.

Due to the icy conditions forecasted for this weekend all services have been moved online. Please join us via Zoom!

Time: Jan 25, 2026 11:00 AM (Login will open at 10:45 AM)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84781795207?pwd=9ssZ3QboxfOOca42Z9zpcNhOSWgSIc.1

Meeting ID: 847 8179 5207
Passcode: 399591

Sunday, January 25, 9:45 am  "Death with Dignity, what could go wrong?"

"Death with Dignity, what could go wrong?" refers to various clinical problems, ethical controversies, potential for abuse, and legal challenges associated with the practices of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia. Retired nurse Tamara Veneruso presenting.

Due to the icy conditions forecasted for this weekend, all services have been moved online. Please join us via Zoom!

Zoom login begins at 9:30 AM. ADG starts promptly at 9:45 AM.

http://us02web.zoom.us/j/82018499089?pwd=R3lVQjBVclZmUm40OENsL1lTMjVRQT09

Meeting ID: 820 1849 9089

Passcode: 343184

Saturday, January 24 | 1:00–3:30 pm, Intuitive Collage Workshop

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, reflection, and discovery at our Intuitive Collage Workshop. Together, we’ll tap into our creative spirits through a visual and tactile spiritual practice designed to help overcome creative blocks, explore our inner stories, and uncover new insights.

Some participants may choose to create vision boards to inspire their hopes and intentions for 2026, while others simply follow the images and themes that emerge in the moment. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and an openness to play.

Please start saving magazines, old calendars, greeting cards, and other paper ephemera to bring with you. You may also want to bring a pair of small scissors.

This workshop will be led by Betty Johnson, who will be visiting and guiding us through the process.

All are welcome—come as you are and create in community.

Interested in attending? 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!

Sunday, January 11, 11 am  
Join us this Sunday for our weekly Sunday Celebration at Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Bend.

Our Sunday gatherings offer time for reflection, music, shared wisdom, and connection across generations. Whether you come seeking inspiration, community, or a moment of grounding in the midst of a busy world, you are welcome just as you are.

All are welcome — newcomers, longtime members, families, and friends. We look forward to gathering together.

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, January 11, 9:45 am   “Abundance”

We’ll review a couple of short videos on “Abundance”, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. America has not delivered affordable housing, rapid transit, medical treatment, and other amenities to many ordinary citizens. We have abundant technology and financial resources, but a failure to deliver the goods has led to a feeling of scarcity, and a divided society. What will it take to get Government For the people? 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!

2nd Friday Discussion Group will meet on Jan 9th 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!

The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as “A cause for celebration”—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.

“The Correspondent is this year’s breakout novel no one saw coming.”—The Wall Street Journal

“I cried more than once as I witnessed this brilliant woman come to understand herself more deeply.”—Florence Knapp, author of The Names

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE AND THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL A PBS TOP SUMMER BOOK LIBRARYREADS PICK OF THE MONTH AN NPR AND WASHINGTON POST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”

Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

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!

Sunday, January 4,  11 am   "Annual Burning Bowl Ceremony and Celebration of Us!”

It’s time to let 2025 go and think about what we have to look forward to in 2026. Join us for our annual Burning Bowl Ceremony, where we send our 2025 disappointments into the ethers and think about our hopes for 2026.  We will also be recognizing milestones in people’s lives and honoring all the many, many people it takes to keep our doors open and our Sunday Gatherings happening.

Join us in-person for our weekly gathering.

This is an intergenerational Service, so there will be no Religious Exploration for kids during the service. Kids are encouraged to sit with their families.

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

Sunday, January 4, 9:45 am   “Carl Jung -- Journey of Self Discovery”

We’ll watch a short video on Jung’s tragic youth; his complex relationship with Freud; allegations of antisemitism before WWII; and his ideas on psychology. Perplexity says,  “Carl Jung taught that psychological health comes from becoming a whole, integrated person rather than merely adapting to outer demands. At the center of his teachings is the idea that the psyche includes both a conscious ego and a vast unconscious, which holds not only personal memories but also universal patterns he called archetypes, expressed in myths, dreams, and symbols. He emphasized individuation, the lifelong process of integrating shadow aspects, inner masculine and feminine energies, and other unconscious contents into awareness so that a person can live more authentically and in balance with both inner nature and outer society.” Presented by Lindi Kohn.

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!