"The River"
This Sunday
Nov. 18
Speaker: Jon Prescott
Title: Silence
What is the essence of silence? Is it “doing without” noise and interruptions or is it “opening up” to something wonderful? Come and interact with silence. It's a whole new world. Vocalists from Skagit Valley's own Cantabile Chamber Choir will be guest musicians today.
Last Sunday

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Thank you Kathy Roche-Zujko & John Chmaj and company for filling SUUF with beauty, music and an important message.  “ One World”   Climate Action/Nature Worship Service
Last Sunday, November 11
Parking Please be considerate of our disabled and elderly members and friends when choosing your parking spot on Sundays. The weather has changed; walking is difficult and even dangerous for many. Ideally, all the parking directly in front of the building should be saved for those who need it most.
For the Children: Children's Religious Education will follow the service on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month.

Also the smaller babies room now was a speaker system installed. If you should need to leave the service, you can still hear everything in there..
SUUF will be providing Christmas gifts to children once again this year! The Skagit Valley Herald will again send out information about two families for us to support, probably late this week or just before Thanksgiving.  
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Ladies! It's time for the annual Women's Holiday Party
The fun begins at our potluck at 4:00 on December 8 at the Fellowship.
Bring a dish to share and a gift to surprise. The cost of the gift whether new or discovered at a second hand store of about $20.00. Come prepared for a good time .  
November services
Nov 25
Speaker: Victoria Poling
Title: The American Thanksgiving Story as a UU Story
Our UU religious ancestors trace back to the Northern European Pilgrims who sought religious freedom in a new world. In honor of Thanksgiving, let’s explore how UU history and identity are woven into the story of the United States.   

Following this service we'll gather to enjoy each other's company and to sample a " Best of Leftovers Potluck "
("Souper Sunday" is taking the day off). Please bring something to share and plan to stay for a post-Thanksgiving feast.  
Sneak Peek at December Services
December 2 "Sufism, The Mystical Path of LOVE"  
Sufism is both a mystical and experiential path of spiritual awakening. This path begins with God (The Beloved) giving birth to the Lover (me perhaps) with the understanding that the Lover must "forget" her origin in God. Thus, the Lover is tasked with traveling alone for a time..., for years, decades, or even lifetimes. You see, the Lover must forget its origin in God; however, the Heart of the Lover can never be separated from God. Thus, it is the Heart of the Lover that experiences the underlying agony of separation that drives and motivates the Lover to begin to turn her attention away from the world and toward the path Home. Once on this path, the Lover will find God..., and then she will utilize various means and practices to be with God, but when the last veil of the 70 veils of protection and revelation is lifted, the Lover shall REMEMBER fully who she has always been. And with this final revelation, the Lover merges once again with the Beloved and once again, there is but ONE...    
 
12/9 - Rev. Barbara Davenport on "Who Are These Unitarian Universalists?"  Today's message is a tribute to our foremothers and forefathers who lit the flame of liberal religion and carried the light forward. Our faith centers around a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We respect and affirm both the individual and the interconnected web of life. Our Unitarian forebearers believed that God could not be divided into 3 parts. Our Universalist ancestors believed that God loves everyone regardless of their beliefs.  
12/16 - A CRE special service on the UU holiday of "Chalica"
12/23 - All-congregation special Christmas Service
12/30 - Jim Heard & Peggy Bissell host "Beginnings and Endings", ringing out 2018, and welcoming 2019.
Fall Membership Drive If you have been attending SUUF services and would like to be a member, now is a good time to join our SUUF family. The process is simple, sign the membership book in the office and make a pledge of monetary support for SUUF. As a member you can participate in the church business by voting at congregational meetings and even running for a board position. It takes a family to run a church and our members are the ones who make that happen. Join us this month by contacting Rosemary ( [email protected] ) or Tom ( [email protected] ) or see us at church.

Tom Gillespie, Stewardship Chairman
  Nancy B. Miller is offering an interactive class on the 7 principles based on Rev. Bruce Davis , "A String of Pearls", An introduction to the UU Principles and Purposes This class will be on the 2nd Sudays following coffee hour.
It began Oct. 2018 and will continue for seven second Sundays omitting the second Sunday in Dec.

How is it that we can create communities where a diversity of philosophies and theologies are valued?

What are these values Unitarian Universalists strive to live by and how do they interact with your evolving search ?

The UU's Seven Principles and Purposes came out of conversations in 1961 and were edited in 1984 (they continue to be revised at intervals to ensure their vitality.)

Please come and share your current thoughts on how you feel connected or not to each of the 7 Principles as they are each individually discussed.
Looking forward to your sharing and connecting.
May you be blessed with wisdom,
Nancy B. Miller
The Covenant Circle discusses periodical and book and news. Lately the topics have centered on major socioeconomic issues of the times. The discussion is lively and the spirit is convivial.

They meet every Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at Haggen on Division Street, except the second Thursday of the month, when they convene over lunch somewhere at 1:00. Call Joy Lindberg (360-424-8090) for further information.
New email address:

( Skagituu@frontier still works, but is acting a little crazy again.)
This space awaits a photo or poem or news or reminiscence from you, when you're ready. Email your contributions to the office.
Autoharp Hall of Fame member Bryan Bowers and Winter's Return will perform at Skagit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship December 7, 7 pm. $2 0 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds.

This is second year for this concert presented by our renters. It was wonderful last year! Bryan Bowers  is a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter with a dynamic outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd in practically any situation.
“Master of the Autoharp, Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller”. Bowers who started at a a street singer in Seattle, has performed on the autoharp all over the world. 
Winter’s Return  is a seasonal show celebrating Winter and its diverse festivities. Two world touring duos join forces to form a powerhouse quartet, Pint and Dale, Mike and Tania Opland, Mike Freeman, with hammered dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, whistle, violin, recorder, guitar, drums, mandolin, and songs that'll bring a bright spot to the darkest winter's day.
Office Administrator, Newsletter : Claire Phillips [email protected] Hours: Tue. & Thur. 12-4 pm
Worship Team Leader : Sally Riggers [email protected] Board contact: Rosemary Stevens [email protected]