Services 12-23
Sunday Services
Sunday, December 3, 11:00 a.m. – Wrestling with Mystery – Josh Charles and Berti Welty
Following an introduction to the topic, we will separate into small groups. Using our developing skills in deep listening we will discuss the Soul Matters topic for this month, “Mystery.” The following questions are offered as possible springboards for conversation: Is there a significant mystery in your life for which you’re hoping to find an answer? How has the way you engage with mystery changed as you’ve grown older? Have there been mysteries that you’ve solved that you wished you hadn’t? How do you handle uncertainty? How does faith play a role in this?
Sunday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. – Mystery and the Wonder of Creation – Josh Charles
We will hear the story of creation, based on the latest scientific discoveries, from the big bang through the formation of our solar system, the origins of life, and human evolution. We will explore Carl Sagan’s famous saying “We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
Sunday, December 17, 11:00 a.m. – Stone Soup Sunday – Amy Day
Bring what you’ve got and put it in the pot! In partnership with Arcata House, we will use a portion of our time to prepare meals for those experiencing homelessness in our region. We’ll send them off with a burbling and delicious pot of “stone soup” made from the ingredients that we bring forth. Bring an offering of chopped vegetables – from your own garden, farmshare, or your neighborhood produce section. We’ll share stories and songs, and break bread together: a true celebration of what we can create when we bring what blessings we have and lay them on the altar of service and change.
Sunday, December 24, Morning Service, 11:00 a.m. – Christmas and Unitarian Universalism – Amy Day
What does it mean to celebrate Christmas as a non-creedal people? These words from the Rev. Clay Nelson speak to our ethos as UUs: “We promote Christmas as a time of beauty, peace, generosity, kindness, family in its broadest sense and, of course, merrymaking. This is why we still celebrate Christmas. It’s not really a miracle – we aren’t big on miracles. We celebrate because humanity needs it. All of us: Catholics, Protestants, atheists, humanists, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, earth-centred indigenous peoples, pagans and seekers.” Come explore ways to and observe this lustrous time of year and honor what is sacred to us all.
Sunday, December 24, Special Evening Service, 5:00 p.m.
Celebrating Together: Warm Hearts and Gladness in Sharing Our Blessings – Ann Kilby and helpers
Join our yearly family Christmas Eve/Yule gathering in the Sanctuary, for storytelling, reflecting, renewing our ceremony of the candles, and singing together.
Sunday, December 31, 11:00 a.m. – Cider Sunday – Berti Welty
As is our tradition, we will enjoy hot milled cider and the goodies people bring to share. Those gathered will be invited to ritually release what that they do not wish to carry with them into the New Year, and share intentions for the future. Music and humor will be celebrated.