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December Theme: Hope



Fri Dec 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa, the celebration of African heritage in African American culture created by Maulana Karenga in 1966. I encourage CUC members, even if they're white, to honor the occasion in, at least, some modest form. It's a gesture of solidarity with the African American community whose oppression, in many ways, continues. It's a way to acknowledge that we're all ultimately from Africa -- and African contributions to American culture enrich all our lives.

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa has a specific principle. On the first day, it's Umoja (unity): the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, as reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are." For the other six principles of Kwanzaa and more information about the holiday, CLICK HERE.

Practice of the Week: Fill the Hole in Your Heart 

"When your lacks or wounds developed, what would have made all the difference in the world? What do you long for today? What conditions help you feel truly happy-and bring out the best in you? What sort of experiences feed and soothe a deep hunger inside? . . . Once you have some clarity about the psychological vitamins you need, the rest is straightforward." READ MORE...

Saturday Zen: Canceled for Dec 20 and Dec 27 

Zen practice at the Parsonage. 10:00 - 11:45a, resumes on Sat Jan 3

Sat Jan 10: Film and Discussion: "Virunga"

Rev. LoraKim Joyner will host this movie and discussion about the efforts to save the mountain gorilla in the Congo. READ MORE...

Opportunities for Giving: CLICK HERE.

Yours in the faith we share,
-Meredith
Rev. Meredith Garmon
Minister
Worship Dec 28, 10:00: Turning Hope into Action: Finding a Path toward Justice       

Joann Prinzivalli

Recent incidents nationally and locally have evoked a loss of public confidence in the impartiality of local prosecutors when confronted by incidents involving police officers killing persons of color under questionable circumstances. There are lessons from history that give us hope for a pathway toward restoring confidence in prosecutors and police and obtaining justice for victims of serious police misconduct.

 



There are no Religious Education classes on Sunday, Dec. 28. Child care will be available for younger children during the service.

Regular RE resumes on Sunday, Jan. 4.


May all of your holiday wishes come true and the New Year be filled with joy for you and your family.
 
Sincerely,
-Perry
Perry Montrose
Director of Lifespan Religious Education and Faith Development
Links & Reminders

Journey Groups. Get the Dec packet, "Hope": CLICK HERE. If you're not in a Journey Group, sign up online: CLICK HERE.

What's In a Name Committee -- 20-min meetings are now scheduled, and we hope everyone can participate in one of them. READ MORE...

Our Child/Youth R.E. Classes Descriptions of each of our eight R.E. classes meeting on Sunday mornings: CLICK HERE.

The UUA Common Read for 2014-15 is: Paul Rasor, Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square.  Order your copy! READ MORE...

General Assembly 2015 is in Portland, OR -- Jun 24-28. GA is amazing fun, enriching, deepening, and transformative! We encourage all CUC members to begin planning now to attend.

Dec issue of the Communitarian: CLICK HERE.
The web site for Community Unitarian Church: CLICK HERE.

The Liberal Pulpit 2014 #4 (six sermons): CLICK HERE.
"My Spiritual Journey" by Rev Meredith Garmon: CLICK HERE.
The Five Foundational Spiritual Practices
 - Journal daily
 - Study daily
 - Silence daily
 - Group monthly
 - Mindfulness as much as you can
READ MORE...