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Holiday Services December 2017

Sunday December 10th @ 10:30 am - "Blue Christmas" 
The month of December can  be difficult for those of us who have experienced losses or disappointments. And  that, of course, is all of us. The Blue Christmas service allows us to acknowledge  those feelings of sadness and emptiness, and to experience some healing. We will  explore the darkness with words and music and a candle lighting ritual. The  Knitting Ministry and Pastoral Care Associates will be present to offer a hand-knitted comfort cloak to all wish to take one for themselves or for a loved one.

Sunday December 17th @ 10:30am - "The Christmas Menorahs" 
The Explorers (5th - 7th graders) lead this multi-generational worship service based on the story, The Christmas Menorahs, by Janice Cohn. Cohn's book is based on a true story from Billings, Montana. After someone throws a rock through Isaac Schnitzer's window, the people of Billings join together to fight a series of hate crimes. The Children and Youth Choir will also participate in the worship service.

Sunday December 17th @ 7 pm - "Winter Solstice Celebration" 
Join Worship Associates Linda Sanders, Kate Franta, and Tracy Spinka-Doms in the Parish Hall to celebrate the Winter Solstice, the time of the longest nights and shortest days of the year.  Come help us celebrate the return of the light! "Again did the earth shift, again did the nights grow short and the days long. And the people of the earth were glad and celebrated each in their own ways." (Diane Moomey)

Sunday December 24th @ 10:30 am - "No Rehearsal Christmas Pageant" 
This multigenerational service is a very UU retelling of the traditional Christmas story. There will be opportunities for people of all ages to take part. Have you ever wished you could be an angel, a shepherd, a sheep? Here's your chance to join in creating a uniquely Unitarian Universalist living Nativity. (Please note the time of this service; it takes the place of the usual 4 pm Christmas Eve family service.)  In the spirit of holiday giving, please bring a plate of holiday cookies or other treats to share in the Parish Hall after the service.

Sunday December 24th @ 10 pm - "The Darkness of the Womb" 
Our annual Lessons and Carols service combines traditional Christmas music with both traditional and non-traditional readings. The homily is based on "A Sikh Prayer for America" by Valaire Kaur which asks, 'What if this (time) is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb?'

Our pre-service mini concert (staring at 9:45) will feature the Short Mass in C Major by Scott Ward. It will be performed by our Chamber Choir with bass Martin Hargrove and pianist Anne Turner. During the service our full Choir will sing a variety of anthems from different parts of the world. They will be accompanied by a string quartet and pianist Anne Turner.

Sunday December 31st @ 10:30 am - "Coffin and Cradle" 
Join us for this annual end-of-year ritual. You are invited to bring objects to place in the coffin (symbolizing that which you hope to let go of in the new year) and cradle (symbolizing that which you hope to give birth to in the new year).  Child care will be provided. Older children are invited to participate in this ritual of surrender and rebirth.