Heat is the greatest weather-related disaster in the U.S., killing more people than any other kind of natural disaster.  And, Texas is one of three states with the highest heat-related deaths. A study found that the Houston area averaged 18 dangerously hot summer days per year from 1975 to 2010. Without any action to combat urban heat, Houston’s annual number of days hit by dangerous summer heat could rise to 80 by 2046. So, Houston’s urban heat issues are already serious and are forecasted to get much worse with the Climate Crisis. Urban heat negatively affects human and biodiversity health throughout the region, exacts a financial toll, leads to higher ozone levels, and reduces quality of life.  Heat mapping in Houston has shown that high heat is more concentrated in underinvested communities and/or Communities of Color, thereby widening historic inequalities. Fortunately, there are solutions that can be brought to bear to reduce urban heat.  Join Jaime Gonzalez of The Nature Conservancy, who led heat mapping efforts in Houston, for a discussion on the findings, their justice implications, solutions, and how houses of worship/people of faith can engage.  Learn more/register on www.eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

As people of faith and conscience, we believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. How can we renew our fragile democracy? How do we honor the human dignity of every person? Will we protect our Sacred Earth and our children’s future? What policies will prioritize the common good and confront future crises that remind us of our interdependence? Many of the defining moral issues of our time are on the ballot: faltering democratic institutions, too much wealth in the hands of a few, damage to the climate, cruel immigration policies that tear families apart, mass incarceration that devastates communities of color, senseless gun violence, and threats to global public health and security. These challenges are daunting. To move forward in a spirit of hope, and to resist despair and cynicism, join this weekly discussion group where we’ll navigate the urgent moral questions raised by the coming election, allowing you to discern your path forward. Can’t make it every week? Join as you are able, or for those topics most of interest to you. The topic for each week’s discussion is given below. All attendees receive an electronic copy of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide from Interfaith Power & Light, plus supplemental materials provided by the facilitator. Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faithful-voter-weekly-discussion-group-tickets-384102800817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Sept. 13: Protecting Our Sacred Earth                    Sept. 20: Protecting Democracy & Voting Rights

Sept. 27: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors           Oct. 4: Building an Economy of Inclusion

Oct. 11: Pursuing Restorative & Racial Justice      Oct. 18: Respecting the Dignity of LGBTQ People

Oct. 25: Protecting Everyone’s Health                   Nov. 1: Creating a More Peaceful World

As people of faith and conscience, we believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. How can we renew our fragile democracy? How do we honor the human dignity of every person? Will we protect our Sacred Earth and our children’s future? What policies will prioritize the common good and confront future crises that remind us of our interdependence? Many of the defining moral issues of our time are on the ballot: faltering democratic institutions, too much wealth in the hands of a few, damage to the climate, cruel immigration policies that tear families apart, mass incarceration that devastates communities of color, senseless gun violence, and threats to global public health and security. These challenges are daunting. To move forward in a spirit of hope, and to resist despair and cynicism, join this weekly discussion group where we’ll navigate the urgent moral questions raised by the coming election, allowing you to discern your path forward. Can’t make it every week? Join as you are able, or for those topics most of interest to you. The topic for each week’s discussion is given below. All attendees receive an electronic copy of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide from Interfaith Power & Light, plus supplemental materials provided by the facilitator. Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faithful-voter-weekly-discussion-group-tickets-384102800817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Sept. 13: Protecting Our Sacred Earth                    Sept. 20: Protecting Democracy & Voting Rights

Sept. 27: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors           Oct. 4: Building an Economy of Inclusion

Oct. 11: Pursuing Restorative & Racial Justice      Oct. 18: Respecting the Dignity of LGBTQ People

Oct. 25: Protecting Everyone’s Health                   Nov. 1: Creating a More Peaceful World

It is well known that global warming and associated climate changes are linked to the increase of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. Humans generate anthropogenic carbon dioxide and methane in many different ways. A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and methane that are generated as a result of an individual’s actions per year. The average carbon footprint of the U.S. is 16 tons, which is much higher than global average (about 4 tons). To avoid catastrophic climate change, nations across the globe agreed to reduce the global average carbon footprint to 2 tons by 2050. The major contributors to carbon footprint include transportation, consumption of food, other products and household energy use. Join Professor Hyun-Min Hwang of Texas Southern University to learn how we can make significant reductions in our carbon footprints.   Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provided.  Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-tickets-400699070707. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

As people of faith and conscience, we believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. How can we renew our fragile democracy? How do we honor the human dignity of every person? Will we protect our Sacred Earth and our children’s future? What policies will prioritize the common good and confront future crises that remind us of our interdependence? Many of the defining moral issues of our time are on the ballot: faltering democratic institutions, too much wealth in the hands of a few, damage to the climate, cruel immigration policies that tear families apart, mass incarceration that devastates communities of color, senseless gun violence, and threats to global public health and security. These challenges are daunting. To move forward in a spirit of hope, and to resist despair and cynicism, join this weekly discussion group where we’ll navigate the urgent moral questions raised by the coming election, allowing you to discern your path forward. Can’t make it every week? Join as you are able, or for those topics most of interest to you. The topic for each week’s discussion is given below. All attendees receive an electronic copy of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide from Interfaith Power & Light, plus supplemental materials provided by the facilitator. Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faithful-voter-weekly-discussion-group-tickets-384102800817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Sept. 13: Protecting Our Sacred Earth                    Sept. 20: Protecting Democracy & Voting Rights

Sept. 27: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors           Oct. 4: Building an Economy of Inclusion

Oct. 11: Pursuing Restorative & Racial Justice      Oct. 18: Respecting the Dignity of LGBTQ People

Oct. 25: Protecting Everyone’s Health                   Nov. 1: Creating a More Peaceful World

As people of faith and conscience, we believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. How can we renew our fragile democracy? How do we honor the human dignity of every person? Will we protect our Sacred Earth and our children’s future? What policies will prioritize the common good and confront future crises that remind us of our interdependence? Many of the defining moral issues of our time are on the ballot: faltering democratic institutions, too much wealth in the hands of a few, damage to the climate, cruel immigration policies that tear families apart, mass incarceration that devastates communities of color, senseless gun violence, and threats to global public health and security. These challenges are daunting. To move forward in a spirit of hope, and to resist despair and cynicism, join this weekly discussion group where we’ll navigate the urgent moral questions raised by the coming election, allowing you to discern your path forward. Can’t make it every week? Join as you are able, or for those topics most of interest to you. The topic for each week’s discussion is given below. All attendees receive an electronic copy of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide from Interfaith Power & Light, plus supplemental materials provided by the facilitator. Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faithful-voter-weekly-discussion-group-tickets-384102800817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Sept. 13: Protecting Our Sacred Earth                    Sept. 20: Protecting Democracy & Voting Rights

Sept. 27: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors           Oct. 4: Building an Economy of Inclusion

Oct. 11: Pursuing Restorative & Racial Justice      Oct. 18: Respecting the Dignity of LGBTQ People

Oct. 25: Protecting Everyone’s Health                   Nov. 1: Creating a More Peaceful World

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.

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston along with the climate action team is sponsoring a series of events as part of service dedicated to animal rights. This event will feature World Renowned Vegan Activist Ed Winters speaking about veganism and the environment. Ed will be available to answer questions for approximately 30 minutes following the talk.

First UU of Houston will begin the series with a Plant-based potluck which will also require a registration. Following the potluck we will be hosting a concert by Strands of Compassion to which all are welcome to attend this will be a pay what you wish event. On Saturday we will host the Ed Winters Talk w/ Q&A. And on Sunday Rev. D. Scott Cooper will deliver his Sermon for the Animals.

We hope you might attend all or some of these events.

Do you love the Second Ward? Do you have some time next week to come and talk to us about why? 

Join Kam Franklin and Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) for a week of music, fashion, connection, healing, and environmental education.

Second Ward Healing Hours are part of the Houston Inspira public health storytelling campaign.

The week-long event will feature local DJ’s, a food and arts market, and an open recording studio for community members to tell their stories. In 2023, Kam will release several new songs and a visual EP about Second Ward and environmental public health, incorporating stories and testimonials captured during the event.

Sequin Sanctuary will be selling vintage pieces from Kam’s own closet to further promote sustainable fashion, and all money made from the closet during the week will be donated to support CEC.

Do you love the Second Ward? Do you have some time next week to come and talk to us about why? 

Join Kam Franklin and Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) for a week of music, fashion, connection, healing, and environmental education.

Second Ward Healing Hours are part of the Houston Inspira public health storytelling campaign.

The week-long event will feature local DJ’s, a food and arts market, and an open recording studio for community members to tell their stories. In 2023, Kam will release several new songs and a visual EP about Second Ward and environmental public health, incorporating stories and testimonials captured during the event.

Sequin Sanctuary will be selling vintage pieces from Kam’s own closet to further promote sustainable fashion, and all money made from the closet during the week will be donated to support CEC.