"The River"
This Sunday
Who Are These Unitarian Universalists?  -  Rev. Barbara Davenport
Celebrant: Anneliese Sherman
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. 
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..
Spreading the word about Sunday Services
SUUF has added our service to the weekly church listings 
published every Saturday in the Skagit Valley Herald.
Now SUUF is included with announcements from other local churches--- so if anyone new to the area looks in the paper, they will see that there is a Unitarian fellowship in Skagit Valley!
Particularly anyone who has been a UU in another state, or is looking for open-minded faith community, 
might feel invited to try us our when they see the ad. 
The cost for the weekly ad is $25. It includes the title of the service and speaker for the upcoming service.
 
In order to pay for this addition to our "UU marketing" budget, we need to add $110 per month to our incoming revenue. If you would be able to contribute, perhaps by increasing your pledge by $10 a month, your support for getting the word out about SUUF is much appreciated!
If you have questions, or would like to see our weekly ad, speak to me on Sunday, email me at [email protected] , or give me a call at 360-336-3453.
I will post an example of the Herald Saturday religion page, with our listing, on the bulletin board at SUUF.
Thank you all for your continued support and generosity to our Fellowship!  Doris Brevoort, SUUF Board Member 
Family Promise I want to put in a plea for more Family Promise people to help out.  Contact me or Patti Yount if you would be willing to occasionally help out. It's not a big job but some churches are not involved as much as the FP workers hoped, and that means that instead of helping every third month as we planned, we are being asked to feed and helpout every second month. That's not a huge problem, it really isn't, but if it continues it could become a bigger problem. Our contact person, Sharon, said they are working to get more churches, but I'm trying to be preactive. Several of our enthusiastic volunteers are sick or have some problem so they can't help. We are going to be feeding and tucking into bed on 12\29 and 30. Perhaps we can get a party together???? Thanks much. Pat Young
Happy December birthday t o all of you born in this festive month!! A couple that we know had birthdays - Susan Thayer December 4 and Judy Hamilton December 27. Best wishes to Susan and Judy and any others celebrating your special day this month.
SUUF Website
Our new website is up and running. Not complete yet but it is looking great! Check it out at skagituuf.com . Thank you Mike Murdock and Jim Heard for their excellent work.
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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 Saturday, 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 .  
Men Winter Solstice gathering Friday, December 21 , 6-8 pm bring stuff to share and talking topics...here at SUUF. Contact Ken Stern for more information
Leadership Council meets this evening, Thursday, December 6, 6:30 pm at SUUF.
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!

Master of the Autoharp, Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller. Bryan Bowers, who started at a a street singer in Seattle, has performed on the autoharp all over the world.  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.

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.
 December Services
Dec. 1 6
Chalica  –  CRE parents and children
Celebrant: Rosemary Stevens
Chalica is a week-long celebration of our UU Principles. The holiday first emerged in 2005 out of a wish to have a holiday organized around Unitarian Universalist values. Chalica begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days. Each day, a chalice is lit and the day is spent reflecting on the meaning of that day’s principle and doing a good deed that honors that principle. Come and hear what the children observed and learned during this holiday!

Dec. 23
Christmas Potpurri   –  Worship Team and Congregation
Christmas is a lot of things... music, gifts, trees, and long days of cold and dark. This service will have something for everyone, all built on a foundation of love and family.

Dec. 30
Blessings of Bad Times   –  Peggy Bissell and Jim Heard
At the end of the year, we reflect on the good times we've experienced. But, what about the bad times? They share the same space. The challenge is to find ways to make them meaningful in a positive way and to then move on in our quest to find joy and promote growth in our lives. Today, as we explore bad times, we'll be joined by authors, movies and inspirational words designed to enrich and support.
  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:
This space awaits a photo or poem or news or reminiscence from you, when you're ready. Email your contributions to the office.
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]