Friday UU Update                Friday, December 15, 2017
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Sunday, December 17, 2017
9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
The Moment of Magic
Reverend Scott McNeill 
In the depths of darkness, a spark of light can feel magical and bring us hope. In the last days before the Solstice and in the first days of Hanukkah, we join together in awe and reverence of the power of the light and the dark.
This Week in Religious Education
Our religious education classes continue to explore the six sources of Unitarian Universalism.  This week they are exploring our Jewish and Christian sources. World of Wonder (Preschool) will hear the story of "Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights."  Roots and Wings (K-2 nd grade)  will explore "The Christmas Menorah," a holiday tale based on a true story. Curiosity Club (9:15am 3 rd -8 th grade, 11:15am 3 rd -5 th grade)  will revisit The Nativity.  Harry Potter and UU (11:15am 6 th -8 th grade) will celebrate their successful fundraiser with snacks and games. High School Youth Group is having a holiday reunion at 12:30pm.
Our Folks...
      Our sympathy and thoughts of healing are with Hwamei Shei and her family, upon the passing of her mother, Mrs. Liao, on December 4. 
       Our healing thoughts are with Rich LeDuc, who is recovering quietly at home from recent surgery. Cards are welcome.  
Wednesday, December 20, 2017,  6:15 p.m.
Winter Solstice Celebration for All Ages
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite,  
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, 
and 
Reverend Scott McNeill,  
with special music by Ray Fellman and our  Children's Choir
Come share in a quiet, reflective service celebrating the returning sun. We will fully inhabit this place on our planet as we join together in a candlelit spiral procession and reconnect with the earth and its natural cycles. Childcare provided for very young children available in Room 108.
New Choral Composition Fund to Honor Dr. Susan Swaney
The Dr. Susan Swaney Choral Composition Fund, newly established with an anonymous gift of $10,000, will allow the Music Director to choose texts and commission new and established composers to create anthems specifically for the choir and congregation of the UU Church of Bloomington, Indiana. This fund has been established to help us celebrate the 25th anniversary of Susan Swaney serving our congregation as Music Director. If you would like to make a contribution to this fund, please send your check to the church, made payable to "UU Church," with "Swaney fund" on the memo line. We are encouraging folks to contribute to this fund by December 31.
Hogwarts Holiday Dinner Success!
Thank you to everyone who made our 6th-8th grade fundraiser a magical success.  We raised $589.62 to benefit Backpack Buddies.  Community Kitchen of Monroe County provides backpacks full of weekend food to over 400 children in need at 18 MCCSC schools through the Backpack Buddies program. 

Families: January Creativity Packets Available this Sunday! 
Stop by the Religious Education table  this Sunday  during coffee hour to pick up a family RE packet for use at home during January.
Sunday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.
Away in a Manger Service
Away in a Manger service especially for children; service includes a Nativity pageant. No childcare for this service, for it is very kid-friendly.  Details about this service here.
Sunday, December 24, 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Reverend Scott McNeill will help us celebrate our Candlelight Christmas Eve service with music from our choir, and singing of carols, including Silent Night by candlelight (We'll be using the UU hymnal, so please feel free to sing the words you like the best!)  No childcare for this service.
No Monday Shambhala Meditation on December 25 or January 1
The  Monday noontime Shambhala meditation group with Sarah Flint will not meet on  December 25 or on  January 1. The group will resume on  Monday, January 8 at 12 noon in the Library upstairs at church. Info, please contact Sarah at sflint.ktv@gmail.com.
For More Information including dates and times for holiday services in December, see the December 5 edition   of our newsletter, The Prologue.
Masthead photo by Linda Mjolsnes.
Unitarian Universalist Church