The document provides information about Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church located in Houston, Texas. It describes the church's history, current activities, demographics of its members, social justice initiatives, and goals for the future. Some key details include that the church has about 450 members who are mostly white and over 40 years old, it has a variety of music and arts programs, and it aims to increase participation from young families and young adults.

1. LEAP OF FAITH Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston, Texas

2. Where are we? Here we are!

3. Houston is the nation’s 4th largest city, with a pop. of 2.25 million . Emerson Downtown Emerson is about 10 minutes from the Downtown area .

4. Houston is the nation’s 4th largest city, with a pop. of 2.25 million . Emerson Downtown Emerson is about 10 minutes from the Downtown area .

5. Downtown Houston

6. Houston is the 2 nd busiest port in the U.S. and an intensely international city. For instance, Houston is behind only New York, NY and Washington, D.C. in foreign consulates. Houston is also the energy capital of the world. We are home to the Texas Medical Center, which is the largest medical center in the world, and employs over 75,000 people. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOUSTON

7. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOUSTON

8. Another Impressive Statistic Houston has a very impressive mosquito population!

9. Emerson Galleria Emerson is in the Galleria/Tanglewood area. We are about a mile away from the Galleria itself.

10. The Galleria’s skyline.

11. The Galleria/Tanglewood area is filled with single-family homes, townhomes, restaurants, parks, boutique stores, and is a very busy place!

12. And we’re in the middle!

13. Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church just celebrated our 50 th Anniversary! We were chartered in 1960 to serve the growing western suburbs of Houston. EMERSON’S HISTORY

14. Our newest building is Delaney Hall. It was built in 2004 and is LEED certified. EMERSON’S HISTORY

15. It’s the first LEED Certified church building in the nation, and Houston’s first!

16. Another view of Delaney Hall.

17. Our Co-Ministers, Becky and Mark Edmiston-Lange have been here since 1999.

18. Our Sanctuary holds 400.

19. Our Gathering Place is open and bright.

20. It’s also home to our Bookstore.

21. Westwood Hall is our original Sanctuary and is now used as a Fellowship Hall.

22. We’ve got beautiful grounds with trees and gardens.

23. Who are we?

24. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world.

25. We’ve got about 450 members who are mostly Anglo, over 40, and college educated. DEMOGRAPHICS

26. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world.

27. What do we do?

28. We have many music programs…including a choir, with paid section leaders, a rock band, a small choral group, and an intergenerational orchestra… MUSIC

29. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. … A small singing group called Suoni Dolci…

30. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. … and monthly Saturday night performances during the church year by artists brought in from across the country for our Unitunes Coffeehouse series.

31. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. We are a Welcoming Congregation and participate in many GLBT events, including the Gay Pride Parade. WELCOMING CONGREGATION

32. We’re beginning our 2 nd year of the monthly Welcome MAT movie and discussion series.

33. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. We have a “Culture Caravan” which goes out to different functions about once a month. We also have a dinner theater group, who recently performed an Agatha Christie play. PERFORMANCE AND CULTURAL ARTS

34. We have Solstice and Equinox services, with receptions following. SPECIAL SERVICES

35. We have a Labyrinth on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

36. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. Currently, an interim DRE is in charge of the children and youth while we search for a permanent employee. CHILDREN & YOUTH The YRUU group is very active. They performed during Youth Sunday, and went to Galveston over the summer.

37. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. Homecoming picnic with bounce-house and snowcones.

38. FUNDRAISING We have a service auction in the Spring and have our Canvass in the Fall.

39. FUNDRAISING We recently had our first Green Bazaar, Book & Bake Sale.

40. What do we have to give?

41. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. SOCIAL ACTION COUNCIL Our Social Action Council’s projects include:

42. SOCIAL ACTION COUNCIL

43. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. SOCIAL ACTION COUNCIL Part of the SAC is the Ministry for Earth, which is itself very active and has many events, including We also have a Green Sanctuary Certification from the UUA.

44. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. We have a lay pastoral ministry that are trained volunteers who counsel church members undergoing life transitions. We have annual training for those who wish to participate. LAY PASTORAL MINISTRY

45. Drug Court: a Moral Imperative Emerson's Drug Court Task Force received recognition in the following article published in the October 2003 edition of Mosaic , the newsletter of the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. The opening of two Drug Courts in Harris County is being celebrated at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. For more than a year, several members of the congregation have served as consultants and tireless advocates for an issue they feel extends beyond government responsibilities. DRUG COURT

46. What do we need?

47. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. More young families and young adults! We recently cancelled a Field Day/Picnic mostly due to low attendance.

48. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. More participation - we just started a multi-generational education class about water, but had very low attendance.

49. Our Identity Statement: Our beloved community of faith, reason, and affection welcomes all to grow in mind and spirit as we build a better world. Higher attendance! Stated earlier “Our Sanctuary holds 400.” But, it rarely does. Our attendance is usually around 150-180.

50. A reduction in membership drops. Many members join and then leave within a year.