Two Christmas Eve Services!
Christmas Eve Morning at 10:30 -- Wear your pajamas and bring the kids.
Christmas Eve Late Afternoon at 5:00
Both services will be filled with fun, inspirational, and uplifting stories and song.
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December 15, 2017
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   Week at a Glance   UUC Sunday Service  What's Happening at UUC Serve   UUC Committees Adult Religious Enrichment   UUC and Beyond    
THE UUC WEEK AT A GLANCE

December 17th, Sunday:
-- Open Issues : 9:30-10:30 am, Patio Room
Susan Traylor. “Reaching Out to Single Moms” . Susan will share the story of the Wellness Ministry of Pasco and Pinellas Counties – their mission and their clients’ stories, needs, and the Wellness Ministries’ requirement that clients be willing to accept assistance and referral support.   
-- Sunday Service:
Ned Bellamy - "Presence: What Brings You Most Alive?"

December 24th, Sunday: Two Christmas Eve Services!!
-- Open Issues: 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
Ruth Samuel “Poetry Reading and Conversation” . Bring and read your favorite poem or prose, and share with Open Issues recipients. It does not have to be written by you. It can come from a book or a friend or a relative or much loved quotation to read aloud. Each person will get a few minutes to read and comment on his/her choice. Ruth Samuel, member of UUC’s Adult Religious Education Committee, will facilitate the forum.
-- The morning service at the usual time, 10:30 am , welcomes all ages and you are encouraged to come in your jammies. Songs and stories for all.
-- The afternoon service at 5:00 pm is our special Christmas Eve Service and we are having it early enough that you can get home and spend the evening with friends and family.

December 31st, Sunday, New Year's Eve Service
--Open Issues, 9:30-10:20 am, Patio Room
--Sunday Service, 10:30-11:45 am, Octagon

January 3rd, Wednesday : Einstein's God- first class 7:00-8:30, Maxwell Library
EINSTEIN'S GOD: Science, Faith and the Life of Wonder
UUC Teaching Facilitator: David Wynne
Explore religion's place in the hallways of science and how it impacts the mysteries of the universe that surround us all. Each session corresponds to an NPR episode of Krista Tippett's " On Being ".
Meets: In the Maxwell Library January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Enrollment limited to 16

January 4th, Thursday : Women's Lunch at Benedicts Family Restaurant , 12 noon. (768 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater.
Marie Chapman is now coordinating the monthly luncheon. Contact her at [email protected]  if you plan to attend.

January 4th, Thursday : End of Life Choices , 1:30-3:00 pm, Westwood Room

January 10th, Wednesday : Exhale-Mindfulness and Contemplation , 6:00-6:45 pm, Octagon

January 12th, Friday, Art Show Opening, 5:00-7:00 pm, Octagon

Year End Gift Giving -- Standing Together in
Love and Justice

The holiday season is upon us. The end of the year is rapidly approaching, and tax time is just over the horizon. There are several tax advantage avenues that may be used for a gift to UUC: donation of appreciated stock, a Charitable IRA Rollover, or donor advised funds.  Some of them may reduce your taxes in addition to warming your heart. Talking with your financial advisor is a crucial part of your gifting process.

On behalf of the UUC Stewardship Team, I would be honored to speak with you about gifts that strengthen our spiritual home and its impact in the community.  Please text or call me at 916/671-6487 at your earliest convenience, as Dec. 31 is only days away.

If you want to make a securities transfer, you may go to uuc.org , click on “Giving” in the top right and then click on “ Securities Transfer Form ” for the required information and procedure.  

You also may make a bank draft donation online - or you may mail a check to UUC, as long as it is dated and postmarked by Dec. 31.

Please, pause for a moment this week or next and carefully consider a year-end gift to UUC. 
Our shared congregational life and service to the community will benefit greatly from your generosity. Thank you in advance.
Warm regards,
Mary Currey
Stewardship Committee, Chair



Meet with Rev. Patrice Curtis
If you would like to meet with Rev. Patrice contact the office at 727-531-7704. If you wish to contact her, please call
(510) 852-9304.
Rev. Patrice Curtis
This Sunday
December 17th, 2017
 Service 
Sunday at 10:30

Service Leader: Ned Bellamy
" Presence: What Brings You Most Alive?"
  Pastoral Care Associates

UUC has a strong team of lay Pastoral Associates who offer confidential, emotional support and spiritual companionship to fellow church members. You can access pastoral care by contacting Rev. Patrice Curtis at 727-531-7704 ext. 5 or [email protected] .
Please note that emails sent to the front office are not confidential; emails to Rev. Patrice are.
This week’s pastoral care associate is Susan Hegner and is available at 727-531-7704 ext. 5.  
Open Issues
9:30-10:20 am
Patio Room
Susan Traylor. “Reaching Out to Single Moms” . Susan will share the story of the Wellness Ministry of Pasco and Pinellas Counties – their mission and their clients’ stories, needs, and the Wellness Ministries’ requirement that clients be willing to accept assistance and referral support.    
  Flowers for Sunday Services
If you would like to supply the flowers for an upcoming Sunday service in honor of a special event or person in your life, please email Laura Daniel at [email protected] . She will help you coordinate your contribution. 
A Humongous Thank You to Jay and Kathy

Thank you Jay Hardman and Kathy Krohn for your contributions to UUC. Each raised approx. $750 -- Jay through his Weedon Island fundraiser and Kathy through chairing the Bake Sale. Just wow!
Adult Religious Enrichment Programs Coming in 2018. Get signed up now!
Einstein's God: Science, Faith and the Life of Wonder
UUC Teaching Facilitator: David Wynne
Explore religion's place in the hallways of science and how it impacts the mysteries of the universe that surround us all. Each session correspond to an NPR episode of Krista Tippett's " On Being ".
Meets: In the Maxwell Library January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Enrollment limited to 16

Fantasy Land v. Reality
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Mark Brandt
Mark will lead what will surely be a spirited conversation about how America's historical roots make it  UN surprising that we now grapple with "Fake Facts". This discussion will be based on the book, Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History by Kurt Andersen. 
Meets: Maxwell Library, February 28, 7pm-8:30pm

Climate Change: How Bad Is It  and What Can We Do?
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Dale Potter
Session 1: A presentation and discussion based on the latest U.S. Global Research Program's Fourth National Climate Assessment titled Climate Science Special Report and other recent scientific findings.
Session 2: A presentation and discussions on the limitations of individual efforts and the need for collective efforts to address the social and economic changes that will be required to address the climate crisis. 
Meets: Maxwell Library, Feb. 6 and 13, 7:00-9:00 pm

Faithful Communication
UUC Teaching Facilitator: Irene Ratner
This course will help us understand and apply our UUC Covenant of Right Relations in our everyday lives. We will gain communications skills that we can use not only at UUC but at home and work. There will be role playing and should be fun as well as introspective.
Meets: in the Patio Room Feb. 13 and 27, and March 13 and 27

Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex and the Social Hall starting Sunday December 17th

Readers Forum
Dec 15 and 29.... 10:30 am, Chorale Rm.

Greetings! On Dec.15 and 29, we’ll read The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore, on Jan. 5 & 12, Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders by David Grann and Jan. 19, On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder. We won’t meet Dec. 22nd.


‌
What's Happening at UUC
We all love Great Gospel Music
Gospel Great Win Thompkins joins us for service Jan.14th.

Win Thompkins is a renowned Gospel Artist who has achieved great success in the Gospel Music industry, and makes his transition to new thought. He’s produced 10 Gospel Inspirational CD's touching people’s lives all over the country by means of radio and live events. He believes this is his purpose for being here on this planet.
Win’s latest venture has him hosting his own radio show, (The LUV Factory) that airs on WTAN Tantalk radio 1340 Clearwater, a show that promotes love and unity every Thursday night.

Win's Bio:
At the tender age of 14, Win met Country singing star Zeke Clements who was so impressed with Win’s
voice that he signed him up for his first recording deal with Cross & Crown Records. Two years later, he and his brothers recorded their first album entitled “Keep on Pushing”. And as they say, the rest is
history…since then he has recorded more than 300 songs and has seven albums living in the
marketplace.
In 2002 Win released his first true inspirational new thought CD titled “With People in Mind” that he
performed at Local south Florida Science of Mind Centers, Unity Churches and Universal Truth Centers,
in between his Gospel tour dates, Win has been longing to get back to the freedom of sharing his true
heart beliefs through music without limitations, that he vows to do in 2017.
In 2004, he released an album which was the first of its kind. The title of the album was “Foot Stompin
(vol. 1)”. The album was a great success and many would say that while listening to the album you
couldn’t help stomping your feet clapping and dancing in the spirit. This album earned him the title of
the Ambassador of “FOOT STOMPIN” Gospel Music, which in turn led to a great relationship with
the Broward Meals on Wheels organization that is on going to this day.
One of his greatest achievements is the release of the “Leaning Tree” album in 2009. CD sales surpassed any previous cd sales as it spread rapidly throughout the southeast. This CD continues to have brisk sales and he now has a significant following of gospel music enthusiast that refer to him as the “Leaning Tree Man”.
Win’s 2013 Stellar nominee album entitled “I May Be Hoppin”, features an array of musical
combinations including steel guitar with a twist of country that transcends gospel music into a
captivating force that summons and embraces you with the sweetness of the spirit. That’s the call of
the Ambassador of FootStompin Gospel, Win Thompkins who shares the power of sharing.
Win’s aspirations and commitment to inspire others must have been an in-born trait to uplift through
music, and activism to brighten up people’s lives
Visit https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/winthompkins to review Win Thompkins “With People in Mind” CD
MLK Breakfast and March is one month away

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Clearwater Breakfast and March is on Monday, January 15th, 2018 at the Aquatic Recreation Center,  900 MLK Ave ., N. Greenwood, Clearwater. This event is organized by the N. Pinellas branch of the NAACP and a number of organizations, individuals and local officials will be in attendance. Traditionally, UUC has a table or tables pre-booked for the Breakfast so that we can have a sizeable group supporting the event. You may attend the Breakfast ($5.00 per person, $3.00 for children under 10) or the March, or both.
The doors open at 7:30am. You do have some breathing room however, as breakfast starts around 8am and service takes some time. The March starts at 9:45am from the same location and processes to Coachman Park, where the rally begins around 11am and ends at 3:30pm.  

PLEASE SIGN UP AT THE SOCIAL JUSTICE TABLE IN THE UUC SOCIAL HALL FOR THE BREAKFAST, MARCH OR BOTH.

It is also a tradition for UUC to provide volunteers to show solidarity by helping serve breakfast.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE EMAIL CAROL HAMILTON AT  [email protected]
Our Show, featuring amazing fabric artists will be on display in the Octagon from December 8th to January 10th. We are open for viewing Tuesdays-Fridays from 9 to noon and Sundays from noon to 1:30.
Artists exhibiting pieces in "Our Show" at the Octagon:
Maggie​ ​Dillon​, Sarasota, Florida
Suzanne​ ​Evenson​, Inverness, Florida
Peg​ ​Green​, Sarasota, Florida
Karol​ ​Kusmaul​, Inverness, Florida
Brenda​ ​Schlechter​, Wimauma, Florida
Jim​ ​Smith​ ​and​ ​Andy​ ​Brunhammer​, Tampa, Florida
Marijke​ ​van​ ​Welzen​, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands
Next Exhale
Wed., January 10th
A Gathering for Sitting and Moving Mindfulness.
From 6-6:45 in the Octagon. Hold the second Wednesday of each month open for some quiet moments of mindfulness and connection.
It is a tradition for UUC to provide volunteers to show solidarity by helping serve breakfast at the MLK Breakfast and March.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE EMAIL CAROL HAMILTON AT  [email protected]
UUC Committee Meetings and Events
Please get your meeting information to [email protected] NO LATER than one week before the next E-Octagram (publishes on Thursdays). If there are changes, they must get to the above email NO LATER than the Wednesday before publishing. Thank you. 
FOOTNOTES FROM THE LIBRARY:

ATTENTION COMPASSION CHOICES COMMITTEE! Still Waiting for Your Votes!

It has been suggested that a book: “The Peaceful Pill Handbook” might be
added to our collection. However, there is also a book “Final Exit”, which
is a best seller on Amazon.
Here is a synopsis of both of them:
“The Peaceful Pill Handbook” is the leading self-help guide to end of life planning for
Seniors and folk who are seriously ill. Written from a civil rights perspective, the Handbook
aims to provide critical information, knowledge, power and control to those who care about
when and how they will die. The Handbook provides detailed discussion and analysis of
strategies in lay language which everyone can understand. Topics covered include: the old
fashioned barbiturates (sources, online scams, storage and testing), gases such as Nitrogen,
prescription drugs such as morphine, fentanyl, etc inc street drugs and the myth of the simple
overdose, poisons such as cyanide and the three Swiss services available to foreigners. First
published in 2006 the Handbook and its authors has been interviewed extensively in media
including the New York Times, BBC, The Times, The Guardian, CNN, Al Jazeera, France 24,
ABC, Sydney Morning Herald. Originally from Australia, the authors are based in the
Netherlands; the global home of assisted suicide movement. Each strategy is ranked according
to reliability and peacefulness. The Handbook is aimed at Seniors and folk who are seriously ill,
and their family and friends.

Happy reading!
Comments or suggestions are always welcome at:  [email protected]

Thanks,
Bruce


P.S. When committees or individuals use the library, please clean up, move the furniture back to where it belongs and remove any materials that you have used. Thanks! BG



“Final Exit” is the most famous D.I.Y. textbook on voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide.
There is unique step-by- step language for the competent adult who is terminally or hopelessly
ill to bring their life to a peaceful, non-violent end if they wish. This can be achieved without
Dr. Kevorkian or any doctor. Drug dosages and helium gas techniques are described and
illustrated.
Final Exit outlines the legal complications connected with dying, death, hastened death,
euthanasia laws, suicide, Living Wills and Advance Directives. The family aspect is discussed and the advisability of a suicide note (with sample) is addressed. The full Oregon Death With Dignity Act, which permits physician-assisted suicide for the citizens of that state (and more
recently Washington), is included as an appendices. The problems with life insurance and
suicide are discussed, as are the ethics of double suicide.
Which would you prefer?


Suggestions for additions to the library are encouraged. Please email  [email protected] .

The Library is also expanding a shelf featuring UUC authors, but we need some help. The section is located just below the Unitarian Universalism section. Please stop by and see if your favorite UUC author is there, and more importantly, if you have copies of these UUC works, consider donating them to the Library.

Beyond UUC...
Explore Cuban education, arts and culture Jan. 7-16th, 2018 with Witness for Peace
Explore Cuban education, arts and culture in January of 2018 with Witness for Peace. Get to know Cubans from all walks of life while taking part in this People to People Delegation, a travel and study experience we’ve been leading to this island nation since 1999.  
 
This trip is aimed at educators and others who want to visit and study Cuba's urban and rural educational programs from primary to university levels, including professional schools such as the Latin American School of Medicine and the National School of Arts. Included are meetings with professionals, families, elected officials, neighborhood organizing committees, and visits to artists’ collectives, museums, and historical sites.
For more details about the trip click HERE.