Rev. Peter Newport with Brenda Balon, Worship Associate
“Joy: Always, Already and Not Yet”
Increasingly, Christmas seems like a holiday with not much to celebrate, stuck between Black Friday and New Year’s. This Sunday, amid the year’s grief and uncertainty, we will preach about Joy. What is Joy, anyway? How might we enjoy this pinnacle of human experience from within the depths of misery, disappointment and unhappiness? Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty of help.
We are continuing to invite a small number of (vaccinated, masked) people to attend worship in person on Sundays. To sign up for this Sunday, or for other services in December, go to: rsvp.church/r/eJ7rm65u.
The service will be live-streamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. The link will be shared on our website,uusociety.org. If you miss the livestream, a recording of the service will be available on ourYouTubechannel.
All are welcome to Zoom Coffee Hour at 11 a.m. at this link:bit.ly/3j4RxJ9.
Outdoor Family Chapel & Games - This Sunday
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, December 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
You asked us to ignore the cold and keep up the outdoor gatherings and we listened! Join Margo and Erika on the grounds for a short and active family chapel followed by community-building games. We’ll have the hot tea and coffee at the ready to keep us warm! Geared for families with children but open to all who would brave the cold!
Find us in or near the Memorial Garden depending on conditions. If it is raining, we will cancel. Please wear masks when in close proximity to children under 12.
Upcoming YUUth Group Events
Rev. David Ruffin, Director of Youth & Creative Arts Ministries
YUUth Group is ON this evening, Thursday, December 9, 5:30 p.m. We'll be back downstairs in the Community Room. We'll meet again on the 16th, before taking a break from our weekly meetings for the holidays.
Rockpoint Explorations and Campfire!Sunday, December 12, 3 - 6:30 p.m. ~ Come out for our second YUUth Group Campfire at Rock Point! We'll catch an epic sunset (if provided), play in the snow (or ice??) and then celebrate the season of light in the dark with story and song, s’mores, games and general campfire magic. Drop-off and pick-up will be at the parking lot across from 5 Rock Point Rd.
Service of Loss & Remembrance - Dec. 14
Tuesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Every year the Care Network Team invites all who have lost someone to attend this lovely service, marking the grief of loss and the power of remembrance. This year, when all of us have lost family, friends or acquaintances, all are invited to join us on Zoom at this link: bit.ly/31IEKIT.
For audio only, call (646) 558 8656 (meeting ID: 889 1088 4993, passcode: 349066). If outside the northeast US, find your local number at this link.
Here Comes the Sun - Dec. 19 Sunday Worship
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, December 19 at 10 a.m.
Our annual multigenerational Solstice Service returns, live-streamed for the first time ever! Join us as we celebrate the dark as well as the sun's return. A limited number of youthful thespians will perform The Rebirth of the Sun from the Sanctuary. Vaccinated children and adults who wish to be part of the cast, contact Rev. David Ruffin ([email protected]). Followed by outdoor coffee (cider) hour, weather permitting.
The livestream link will be shared at uusociety.org.
Ice Lanterns and Luminaria!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
We loved last year's solstice light display so much we decided to do it again! We invite everyone to create an ice lantern or other luminaria (or two or three) to be part of the Solstice Light Festival on December 21, 5:30-7 p.m. We'll be leaving large cans for ice lanterns just outside the east entrance door (at the top of the ramp) throughout the next two weeks for those who need one. Instructions for lantern creation and drop-off here.
Memorial Wreaths and Greens
Sarah Forbes
Thank you to all who chose to remember and celebrate a loved one with a wreath and greens for our Sanctuary and Meeting House doors.
This year's Memorial Wreaths and Greens list can be found at this link.
Adult Faith Development Opportunity: Hinduism, the Grandmother of Spirituality
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
In coming months, new member and longtime scholar of the world’s religions, Phillip Brentwood, will be presenting a short series introducing participants to Eastern religious traditions. Three 90-minute sessions will focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.
The first session on Hinduism will be held in our well-ventilated Community Room, masks required, capacity 20.
Click here for a more detailed description of this session.
Cards come in packages of 8, one of each design, for $16. Includes works by member artists Rodney Lowe, Carol MacDonald, Sarah Rosedahl, Janet Biehl, and others. Also included are two select photos from FUUSB Christmas Eve services. Inside message: PEACE * JOY * LOVE.
Mission: Joy Film Screening & Discussion
Jud Lawrie, Climate Justice Team Chair
Thursday, December 16, 7 p.m.
Here’s a link to information about a virtual screening and discussion of the film Mission: Joy - Finding Happiness in Troubled Times, from our friends at Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL). The film features the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I’ve shared it with our Climate Justice Team and thought some of you might also find it of interest.