Calendar
Kick-off the cooler weather with this smooth paddle up Spring Creek to the beautiful white sand beach where Spring Creek and Cypress Creek meet. Join Harris County Commissioner Pct. 4 Jack Cagle for a fun trip down the beautiful Spring Creek Greenway. Registration is required.
Canoes and tandem kayaks will be available, but you can also bring your own (no later than 3:45 p.m. to offload your boat).
For more information, visit bayoulandconservancy.com.
Escape from the frenzy of the start of the “Christmas shopping season†on an intimate, 24-hour retreat in the beauty of God’s good creation at the Cramer Retreat Center in Spring. This retreat invites you to get ready for the coming of Christ by exploring familiar Advent themes: hope, preparation, joy and peace, with the reconciliation of heaven and earth in mind. Consider how all creation longs for the coming of Christ, and how we are called to witness the Incarnation in our care of all God’s created world and all God’s creatures. Enjoy a time of renewal, reflection, recreation, and restoration on this retreat. The retreat is open to adults, and to youth 10+, when accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership for Texas’ largest canoe and kayak race – the 47th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta on March 9th. Paddlers, ages 12 and up, are encouraged to participate in the 15-mile race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou. Whether you are entering competitively or paddling for pleasure, you won’t want to miss out on this longstanding Houston tradition.
The family-friendly offerings with hands-on-topics are free with regular admission. Enjoy a fun, educational outing; then stay to picnic, bird, hike, fish or just relax.

The Environmental Educators Exchange meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month. Our goal is to provide a neat space to rejuvenate, network and learn about trends in environmental education. All are welcome (including children). Bring a snack to share and invite a friend.
Tentative Agenda:
3:30 – 5:00 canoe in the lake
5:00 – 5:45 networking & resource sharing
5:45 – 6:30 night hike & bonfire?!?
A few rules: For canoeing, we can accommodate children weighing 30 pounds or more. Also, there must be one adult paddler per canoe and one adult per child 10 years and younger. Example: 2 adults with 2 children 10 and younger, 1 adult with 1 child 11+. Maximum 4 persons to a canoe. i.e. One parent cannot ride alone with two children. Canoes and PFDs will be furnished. You may bring your own canoe/kayak.
Enjoy a leisurely, guided paddle downstream on Spring Creek. Registration required. Ages 16+.
Enjoy a leisurely, guided paddle downstream on Spring Creek. Registration required. Ages 16+.

Experience forest bathing, led by a certified guide, followed by practice of the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen. Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and focus, enhance creativity, and lead to an increased sense of calm and altruistic behavior, in addition to other benefits such as boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. As Christians, we understand that God is present in God’s creation, and after our guided forest bath, we’ll spend some time considering the Earth Examen as we reflect both on our time spent forest bathing and on our relationship with all creation. This activity is for a small group and space is limited. Please register at www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forest-bathing-earth-examen-tickets-291848535827. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
This Plant-Based Burger Bar/Potluck kicks off a week long awareness campaign for animal rights and veganism. We are featuring Animal activist/author Ed Winters, Musical guest Strands of Compassion, and a sermon by D. Scott Cooper.
We hope to find likeminded community members whose beliefs resonate with that of First UU of Houston as well as informing our own community to the Environmental, Health, and Ethical importance of transitioning to a plant-based, vegan lifestyle.
Please join us for some free food, and conversation.