UUCM Monthly News
December 2021
A Stable Faith
When I was hired by the Board of UUCM 19 months ago, it was made clear to me that the primary objective of the congregation was church growth. Like many of our congregations within the greater Unitarian Universalist Association, UUCM has seen a marked decline in church membership and attendance over the last few decades. Increasingly, leadership for various committees and functions within the church has fallen to the hands of fewer and fewer people, and those people are growing weary. Read more here.
Rev. Shayna reminds us to Slow Down
“The times are urgent,” Bayo Akomolafe offers, “so let us slow down.” Slowing down opens possibilities for deeper sensing, feeling, tending, connecting, savoring. In countless places we can still sense the source of Mystery, of Life. Read Life holds mystery for us yet by By Rev. Anna Blaedel
Rev. Shayna is Taking Her Own Advice
From the President's Desk
Unfortunately, I must report that UUCM members have sent angry, hurtful emails to our minister, and to one another. Some of these emails have been shared with me, and I am deeply saddened by their complete disregard for the covenantal relationship we are in with our minister, our staff, and each other. Read Marti's complete message and please THINK when you communicate with your church community.
Join Sunday Worship at 10:30am
Attend in person at UUCM or on Zoom
The theme for December is: Opening to Joy -- If only we notice that joy is not ours to keep, but ours to give. Maybe joy opens us as much as we open to it. Maybe that’s the way light leaks into our world. Read more about the theme. Review the guidelines for attending worship in the Sanctuary.
Finance Committee News
The Finance Committee needs some new members. Contact a member of the Committee
for more information.
Fundraisers:
  • Holiday Fair: Leaders Nancy Danzinger, Barbara Smith & Sharon Verrill. The Holiday Fair is online again this year, selling wreaths and bakery items.
  • Trivia Nights: Due to COVID-19, Trivia Night this fall was cancelled.
  • Auction: Can we do a virtual Auction or have an outdoor Auction in May or June?
  • Extended Holiday Fair: Stay tuned for more information about foods available in January.
  • Christmas in May: Ritzy Boutique, craft, and food at an outside and inside event.
It looks like we may not achieve our pledges this year and that fundraising will be down. If so, we will need to take more out of the endowment than planned. As long as we are partially shut down due to COVID-19, our expenses will be less than planned, but not enough to offset our losses in income.
Racial Justice Speaker Series Begins - Dec 7, 7pm on Zoom
You are invited to attend the first program in this speaker/discussion series on Widening the Circle at UUCM sponsored by UUCM's Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF). Michael Crumpler from the UUA is our first presenter. Amy Conley will open the evening with a song, setting the tone for this serious conversation. Do not miss this opportunity to listen deeply to a person of color talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -- a timely topic in the era of Black Lives Matter. A Question & Answer session with the congregation will follow Crumpler's dialogue. If you have questions about this program, direct them to Amy Conley or Sally Sennott. See the UUCM Calendar for Zoom link

Learn more about this series and other projects of the Racial Justice Task Force on our website.
Adult Ed - Holiday Traditions - Dec 8, 4pm on Zoom
Over the centuries we have developed ways to anticipate the holiday season and even extend it. But it is often the simple things we do just once a year that hold special memories and feelings for us. At holiday time our age collapses and we remember so well the little things that are traditional for us as we look, feel, eat and drink what is particular to our way of celebrating. We have keepsakes to remind us, too, and we take them out each year to remember precious moments with others. One ornament can make the lights and scents and sounds of past holidays vivid. 

On December 8, gather up an ornament or keepsake or food delight that means something special to you and bring it along as Nancy Baker helps us look at how we got all those traditions in the first place, no matter what religious background (or none) got you where you are today. Pour some eggnog, make a cup of tea, or gather up something else for a toast and join us at 4 pm for a little holiday fun and exploration. See the UUCM Calendar for Zoom link
What in God's Name Podcast
Tune in each Thursday for this podcast with Rev. Shayna and Rev. Chris Owen that pushes back against the binaries of politics and economics to uncover the pearls found in theological and philosophical exploration of today's current events. Says Shayna, "We don't break the news. We break it down!" Each show runs about 20-25 minutes. To listen to previously released podcasts or to sign up to receive notices for new podcasts, click here.
To contact UUCM leadership:
  • Jamie, our administrator, is in the office Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-2:30pm. You can reach her at 603-673-1870 or at office@uucm.org.
  • Urgent messages should be sent to the UUCM Board at board@uucm.org. Someone from the Board will respond to your message. Contact information for Board members is listed here.
  • Rev. Shayna can be reached at minister@uucm.org.
For Pastoral Care Assistance in December: Contact Barbara Smith or office@uucm.org
Help Others this Holiday Season
Donate Food to SHARE in December
Please purchase and deliver Pancake Mix & Syrup, Condiments, Cooking Sauces & Seasonings, Cooking Oil, Jelly, and Cold Cereal to SHARE this month. Click to see where to drop off donations.
SHARE Needs Our Support for the Holiday
There are several ways we can help those in need through SHARE over the December holidays.
Holiday Bonus Giveaway Day: SHARE will hold a day where those in need can come and shop. They need new pajamas, hats, mittens, boots, jackets, family games, children’s books, holiday wrap, and decorations. Bring donations to UUCM and leave in the basket so marked in Barnum Hall.
Adopt Single Adults: Provide $25 gift cards from local grocery stores as well as stores like Target and Walmart. You can deliver gift cards to the UUCM office, but call ahead (603-673-1870) to confirm Jamie will be there.
Contact Sandy Frades with any questions. If you can’t deliver things to UUCM, she will pick up your goods or gift cards. Or you can bring them directly to SHARE by the deadline.
Deadline: Everything must be received at UUCM by Sunday, December 12.
Newsletter deadlines: 
Where to Find:
  • Latest COVID update - Reopening UUCM
  • Directory & Committee Listings - You will the find the newest directories here in the Members section of the UUCM website.
  • Can't Find It? - The easiest way to find something on the uucm.org website is to use the SEARCH feature.
  • Get Login or Website Help commteam@uucm.org