Christmas Eve Cookies

Cookies are needed for the reception after the Christmas Eve service. If you are able to bring a dozen cookies, please do! Questions? Contact Tom Williams.

Just When You Needed It!

Another Cozy Friday Night Supper with Faith Development is scheduled for December 27 at 5:30 PM.  Supper is provided. We will discuss the third UUA Principle: "We affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth." 

Sign up on the bulletin board in the Clara Barton Lounge or contact [email protected].  If you need childcare, we need to know one week in advance.

Christmas Toys

If you are shopping and can pick up an extra toy for a child age 5-12, boy or girl, please bring it to church this Sunday. The presents should be unwrapped. Deadline to drop them off at church will be this Sunday, December 15th,  and deadline if you bring the toy straight to School 7 will be Thursday, December 19th. 

If you have questions ask Sarah Singal [email protected]. Thank you for making Christmas special this year for one of our School 7 children! 

Organ Concert

On Tuesday, December 17, at 7:00p, the Eastman Organ Department will present a concert of organ improvisations. The concert is free and open to the public, taking place at Christ Church (Episcopal), 141 East Avenue. First Universalist Music Director Bryan Holten will begin the program.

This Week at First Universalist

Thank you for keeping us updated, both when you schedule events and when you need to cancel one!  Please continue to do so. Send news of your events to [email protected]; or call 546-2826. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR DECEMBER 15, 2013:

NEXT SERVICE: Sunday, December 22: Winter is Here. A service for all ages celebrating the solstice season.  Rev. Lori Staubitz, Rev. Martha L. Munson, and Friends

NEXT DROP-IN DISCUSSION: Sunday, December 22: Reza Aslan's Zealot.  A new biography of Jesus by Reza Aslan is controversial on two grounds.  One is its picture of Jesus as a revolutionary firebrand instead of a preacher of universal love; the other is Aslan's Muslim background.  Bill Elwell will review the book and lead a discussion.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:Kids ages four and older join us every week in the sanctuary for the first portion of our worship service. Children's Worship begins after the Message for All Ages.  Nursery care for babies and younger children is provided throughout the service on the second floor.  We also have seating in our second floor foyer, where parents can hold their little ones and listen to the service via speaker.

ARE YOU NEW TO FIRST UNIVERSALIST?  Have you come a few times and want to find out more about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation?  Then stop by the Welcome Table  in the Clara Barton Lounge during coffee hour.  You'll find friendly folks there every Sunday who are eager to talk with you!

DECK THE HALLS...WITH CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS!  Please help make the sanctuary beautiful for Christmas by ordering a poinsettia plant for $9. You can place your order with Ruth Fitzgerald or Eileen Fernandez by Sunday, December 15^th (TODAY!).  Please specify whether you will take the plant home with you after the Christmas Eve service or you want to donate it to our Congregation without Walls.  If you'd like to dedicate the plant in memory or honor of someone, we'll list his/her name in the Order of Service on Sunday, December 22nd and on Christmas Eve.  Also, if you'd like to deliver a plant to someone, we welcome your help!

JUST WHEN YOU NEEDED IT!  Another Cozy Friday Night Supper with Faith Development is scheduled for December 27 at 5:30 PM.  Supper is provided. We will discuss the third UUA Principle: "We affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth." Sign up on the bulletin board in the Clara Barton Lounge or contact [email protected].  If you need childcare, we need to know one week in advance.

COOKIES: Cookies are needed for the reception after the Christmas Eve service. If you are able to bring a dozen cookies, please do! Contact Tom Williams.

THE 4^TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOPPE:  We're back! Check us out during coffee hour! Last year, your generous donations set a new record for the Shoppe and helped us make that line item in the Budget come true.

OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB... In January, Membership is planning to try to get the nametag boards tidied up.  We will be putting the nametags, one section at a time on succeeding Sundays, on tables in the lounge.  Please locate yours before service and return it neatly to the board after service/coffee hour.  Wrapping the string around the tag or tucking it inside the plastic sleeve might help keep tags in place and easier to read.  Thank you for your help with this task.

HELP IS NEEDED in the nursery Sundays. If you're interested, please contact Carol Williams at [email protected].

THANK YOU one and all for the gifts of food for the Thanksgiving tables of some families at School 7. Do we do turkeys? Wow, yes! Just ask Jeannie Gloss how it's done.  And all the trimmings. It was absolutely wonderful!

CHRISTMAS GIVING: Opportunities to donate toys to the children of School 7  (see Sarah Singal.) and don't forget the mitten tree! Details for will be in the December Outlook. Warm thanks to all!

ADOPT A RAIHN FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Individuals, families or groups choose the size family they wish to adopt.  They will then receive a profile of their "adopted" family with ages, sizes and a wish list.  If unable to adopt a family, gift cards would be welcome.  Deadline to "adopt" is December 16^th.  If you are interested or if you have questions, please contact Marti Eggers.  Thank you!

EASTMAN LUNCHTIME CONCERTS: Concerts are held on Thursdays in the sanctuary from 12:15 to 12:45, are free, and open to the public.

A CARING COMMITTEE REMINDER: When a family member enters the hospital, needs emergency meals, needs transportation to church, or wants home visits; please contact Ruth Fitzgerald [email protected] 225-0555,or Eileen Fernandez, [email protected].

HEARING LOOP IN SANCTUARY: Please use the T setting on your hearing aid or see an usher for a receiver.