Rev. Scott Cooper -- Liminal spaces, such as waiting rooms, stairwells, and rest stops, exist for those things that come before or after them. Our lives are full of such times and spaces. How do we, as a faith community, make the most of these times, learning all we can from the past and preparing for the best of futures? Rev. Scott serves as Assistant Minister of Congregational Life at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston.

Johnny Peden - What are the vows we make to ourselves? What do we promise to others, to our community and our country? What vows bind us together as a church community? Guest speaker Johnny Peden is an active member of BAUUC. He is a former Baptist minister and regularly speaks at UU churches in Texas. Johnny also serves as a wedding officiant and performs dozens of ceremonies for couples in greater Houston each year.

Cathy Vance - “Evangelism” is a word UUs typically don’t like to hear. But in these divisive times how can we share the good news we know we have, the good news we know the world desperately needs? Guest speaker Cathy Vance has been a member of Bay Area UU for three years. A writer and a teacher, she was recently accepted into the Clinical Pastoral Education chaplaincy program at MD Anderson Hospital. Our July 11 service will be presented on video in our church sanctuary for members and friends to enjoy watching together live and in-person. It will also be shared on YouTube, Facebook and by email for everyone to view.

Alok Kalia -- BAUUC member Alok Kalia is a professional speaker and a retired professor from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston who blends Hindu spirituality with his own Unitarian Universalist identity. He will offer us a sermon message about why we might consider adopting our own personal meditation practices and the benefits of doing so. Our July 4 service will be presented on video in our church sanctuary for members and friends to enjoy watching together live and in-person. It will also be shared on YouTube, Facebook and by email for everyone to view.

Rev. Randy Partain - We are pleased to have Rev. Randy Partain joining us to lead our service on June 20. His sermon message for us will be about our commitments to creating safe and nurturing spaces for one another in our congregations. Randy has been serving as the minister of Tapestry UU Church in the northern suburbs of Houston. In May, he was officially ordained as a minister. Randy has been a frequent guest here at Bay Area in recent years and it will be great to have him back with us.

Rev. Leonora Montgomery -- Eric Ericson, a generation ago, proposed that in the course of a lifetime people go through a series of developmental stages. Those people who meet the challenges of each stage “win through to wisdom and integrity at the end.” There is hope in that. We are delighted to welcome BAUUC’s Minister Emerita, Rev. Dr. Leonora Montgomery, to offer our sermon on June 13. Leonora served as Bay Area’s first full-time minister and led this church from 1989 to 1996.

Rev. Bruce Beisner -- Singer Rob Thomas wrote: “Our lives are made in small hours, little wonders and twists and turns of fate. Time falls away, but these small hours still remain.” Rev. Bruce will reflect on the past nine years we have shared together in community. He will offer some of the memories he will hold in his heart and take with him as he prepares to move to Kentucky to begin a new ministry there. The service will include special new music from our Choir and some wonderful surprises.

Rev. Bruce Beisner - Bay Area UU Church Annual Flower Communion Service

Rev. Bruce Beisner - How much do our Unitarian Universalist values and principles matter in our everyday lives? What does our church offer us in addition to great dinners and lively social gatherings? The last 15 months have shown that the core message of our faith tradition and its call for compassion and justice have the power to help us, heal us, and bring us together no matter the circumstances. The fact that our church has remained strong despite so many challenges is living proof.

Our service on May 16 will be a celebration of our ministry with children and families. The service will be led by Director of Lifespan Religious Education Dr. Tamar Wasoian and will feature participation from many of our young people and their parents.

Rev. Michelle Buhite - Universalism’s message of universal salvation, where all souls are ultimately restored to God, may need a new marketing message in the 21st century. Rev. Michelle is the minister of the UU Church of Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo, NY. She and Rev. Bruce Beisner met in seminary and became fast friends. In addition to church life, Rev. Michelle's newest venture is as "Mimi" to twin granddaughters.