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The word "gospel" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for "good news." We don't use it much in our denomination, especially those of us who tend humanist, but it's a good word, and we've got good news to proclaim. In fact, we have some upper-case Good News and some lower-case good news. They're both good, but I think it's important to know which is which. — Mike Franch

So we can begin the worship service promptly at 10 am, please arrive at the sanctuary (if attending in person) or sign into Zoom (click here) by no later than 9:50 am. Thanks!

If not attending the service, please submit "Joys and Concerns" and "Announcements" in advance by emailing them to the UUCR office (click here) by 9 pm Saturday or share them in the Zoom chat.

Sunday, December 19 — In-Person and Online

"The Enduring Beauty of the Shortest Night"

Thursday, December 23 — In-Person and Online

Sunday, December 26 — No Worship Service in any format

If you don't see "END of REFLECTIONS for December 9, 2021" at the very end of this email, you're not seeing the entire email. To view it to the end please Click here

The First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City's "Not-Ready-For-Either-Service-Players" energetic presentation of "Modern Unitarian" to "I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" from "Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Once again, we are working with Kent and Queen Anne's Counties' Departments of Social Services to provide personalized gifts and gift cards for our community's most vulnerable families. We have been matched with a family of six in Kent County, which includes a mother and five children ranging in age from 2 - 17 years. While there are still gifts that are not spoken for, we know that it's difficult to shop locally for gifts or to find the gifts requested, so be assured that your cash donations are welcomed to purchase gift cards. Don't hesitate to call or email Lynn Dolinger if you can't get to the church to find a gift match. Checks or cash are welcomed at Sunday services or by sending a check to the church office. Please specify "Holiday Sharing" in the memo line or envelope. You can also donate online at the church website using the "Donate" button (click here) and "Custom Amount," specifying "Holiday Sharing" in the comment section. The deadline for all donations or gifts is Sunday, December 19. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Dolinger, lynn.thirdwish@gmail.com, or call 215-872-5773.

The Leadership Development Committee continues to work together to find ways to bring

spirituality into investing (giving) time in our church.

I was given a gift earlier today when I was thinking through personal priorities of mine to offer to UUCR. Two elements I believe really strengthen a membership are inter-connections and community outreach. Working with Amy & Diane on the LDC fosters the first, as I get to know our membership better and build connections within our community. Thank you all for that opportunity! The second element is supported through the new work with UUFE, announced recently on small group ministry. It will be an interesting and spiritual way to explore ourselves and each other.

While doing research on the topic, I found a ten-year-old document in my file, which is the “nexus” gift I alluded to earlier. From my perspective it seems to me to bring the LDC work and Small Ministry work together in one place: Giving the Sacred Art – a Study Guide for Small Groups.

If you are interested in learning more about how you might find something sacred in giving, please reach out to Amy Warner, Diane Shields, or me for more details. ~M.Q. Riding

Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 02:00 pm ET — Human Rights Town Hall meeting celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights register here. We are recommitting ourselves to this empathic work with you, and hope you will join us to exchange ideas on the next phase of this important movement for justice.

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Ending Qualified Immunity for Police creating a Zoom discussion series to following the viewing of “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.” on HBO Max.

* On June 19, 2020, Governor Jared Polis signed The Police Integrity Transparency and Accountability Act, also known as Senate Bill 217 (“SB217”) into law, effectively ending police qualified immunity in Colorado. Read SB20-217 - https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20-217

Register for the December 22 Zoom discussion here or live on Facebook @ RaceTalkRevolution. We look forward to seeing you for another informative and inspiring conversation!

Antiracism Alliance training schedule and registration for December and January are posted here.

For your information, The Washington Post of November 9, 2020, had an interesting article (link here) on coping with love and loss by Zibby Owens entitled — "After losing two loved ones to Covid-19, I turned to books. Here are 15 titles that helped me cope." Included in the list is Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself by our First Lady Jill Biden. Another book Vida feels is worth examining (not on the list) is by UUCR member Marilee Taussig entitled — Old Enough: Making the Years Between 50 and 75 the Best Chapter of Your Life.

Gayle Folger, Nancy Holland, and Vida Morley

7 - Pat Bjorke

7 - Pat Kobes-Gomez

8 - Lynn Donahue

9 - Carol Dobson

We want to help celebrate your birthday! If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email (click here).