UUCM Monthly News

December 2022

We are a spiritual fellowship dedicated to building beloved community within and beyond our doors.

A Stable Faith by Rev. Shayna Appel

Some days it just feels like everything is in flux — EVERYTHING, all together, all at once! It can be dizzying. It can feel exhausting. It often reverberates with uncertainty. And yet, every year at this time, the holidays come! Yule, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, and the New Year. No matter how upside down the rest of the world feels, the holidays come… as do the seasons… and we go on.

Read the rest of the message

Message from the President's Desk

Previously, I have focused a lot on how we need members to step up and help build the beloved community we want to be -- to sign up, pitch in, and help us get the work of the church done. It's true that "many hands make light work” and “it takes a village.” But in our case, it also often looks, and it certainly feels, like much of the work is being done by a few serving in many roles. And these folks need support, a break, and/or an infusion of other folks’ proverbial “time, talent, and treasure”. 


Perhaps it seems like the work is being done by a few, in that we are few… we are a smaller congregation than we sometimes care to admit, after all.


But at the same time, I also can’t help but notice that many of us are showing up and pitching in, in countless ways, big and small. Thank you to everyone working hard, making a difference, and hopefully, having fun. But we can always use more help. Whether you love to cook, are great with numbers or technology, or if you are into logistics, planning, or volunteer wrangling, we have plenty of opportunities for everyone to find their niche.


Did you know we have a Church Librarian? Erna Johnson has been our librarian for years, making reading materials available to us on loan, and is looking to pass the torch to a successor. Our Finance Committee is looking for a couple more folks to help plan and create the budget for the year(s) ahead, and, similarly, our Human Resources department would also like to grow and/or pass the baton as well. If these or any other opportunities interest you, please reach out to the appropriate committee or the Congregational Development Committee. The CDC would love to compile a list of our talents and interests to help us help ourselves. A list of committees with their contact information is in the Members Resources section of our website. Committee work can, and should be, so much more fun and fulfilling than just sitting in meetings.


Whenever any one of us is asked what we enjoy most about UUCM, it seems the answer is almost always “the community.” Indeed, we do have a great community! From there, our follow up comment usually points out that we need to grow our congregation. This is doubtless a request we will make of our next minister -- as will every other congregation out there. "Please help us grow." It's a common ask these days.


As our numbers have declined, we tend to look back fondly and think that all we need to do is get more families back in the church, and everything will be great. Perhaps. But I posit that we don’t need to be who we were, or who we think we need to be. We simply need to take a good look at who we currently are, take action to move toward who we want to be. Whether or not we know how to get there doesn’t matter.


“Help us in our journey to ‘X’” is a far more enticing call to prospective ministers than the cry for growth for growth's sake. Let's show them we know who we are and what we want to be, and that we're not afraid to put in the work. It is guidance, focus, and clearer direction in achieving our greater goals that our new minister can look forward to helping us with.


We don’t need to be "the person we think we should be", the person we pretend to be, or the person our dog thinks we are. What we really need is to be "the person we’d most like to spend time with." If we keep actively doing things for the betterment of our current beloved community, with joy and enthusiasm, we cannot help but attract more of the same.


This is already happening! So, please, keep showing up, and start showing up to new things that catch your eye. Let's continue to show the community who we are, and we will attract the community -- and a new minister, one that we need and one that needs us. In this way, we can’t help but succeed in building this beloved community.


Looking forward,

Scott Blanchard (president@uucm.org)

From the UUCM Board

Minutes of the November board meetings here.

Ministerial Search - Let Your Voice Be Heard!

On Sunday December 11th, after the service, there will be a congregational discussion about how we want to move forward as we begin the search for our next minister.  During this facilitated discussion information will be presented about what a Full Time vs a Half Time Ministerial Position would look like and how that will impact us as a congregation.  We have some big decisions to make and will be directing our ministerial search team to proceed in a good faith as they start the process of looking for our next full time or part time minister.  We are hopeful that all will be able to attend and participate in the discussion, as the information and recommendations from this meeting will be of true impact to the entire congregation.


Over the past few weeks, the ministerial search team has taken shape.  Your search team members are: Josh Koehler (chair), Dax Mattson, Leslie Bennett, David Harris, Marti Kennedy and Sandy Frades.   A big thank you to those folks, as they begin their work.  

UUCM Services

December 4, 11, 18 @ 10:30 in the sanctuary and on Zoom

December services will be based on this month's theme: the Path of Wonder. Check the Weekly Update on Fridays for details. We are singing with masks on, so be sure to bring one or pick one up on your way in.

Special Services at the end of the year!

December 24 @ 5:30pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

December 25 & January 1 - Brief recorded services including readings, music and meditation. You will be able to access each one for a week on YouTube. Details will be posted in weekly updates and on uucm.org.

Learn About UU History - December 4 (after worship)

Whether you are new or have been around for awhile, this is for YOU. Rev. Shayna presents a BRIEF introduction to Unitarian Universalist history followed by Q&A regarding all things UU. Come, ask, learn! See you after worship. 

Sign Up to Help on Sunday

Membership needs your help to A) Provide snacks for coffee hour, B) Do a little cleanup after coffee hour, and C) Pass the collection basket. Click here to Sign Up To Help or sign up in Barnum.

Fair Trade Coffee Brewing at UUCM

We hope you've been enjoying the Fair Trade (FT) coffee we've been serving for the past month after church! If you are interested in or have questions about ordering FT coffee or any of the other wonderful FT items from Equal Exchange, please email Dona Eaton.

UUCM Annual Holiday Fair

Saturday, December 3 from 8:30am - 2pm

Plan to spend the day at our wonderful Holiday Fair—in person again after two years!


Browse the Bakery - Peanut brittle, caramel corn, fudge, candy, jams & jellies, pickles, fresh ground peanut butter, Christmas cookies, gingerbread people, stollen, sweet breads, and meringue mushrooms. YUM! 


Raid the Ritzy Boutique - Marvelous, gently used items to keep or give. A great selection of jewelry, beautiful scarves, home decor items, holiday decorations, and children's toys and books.


Chow Down in the Cafe - Come for a leisurely breakfast (scrumptious strata, scones, muffins, pancakes) and a refreshing lunch (sandwiches and hot dogs, hearty soups, yummy pies).

Fall in Love with Beautifully Crafted Items

  • Handcrafted Jewelry
  • Many different kinds of unique ornaments
  • Laurel & pine wreaths
  • Handwoven pillows
  • Upcycled items like baby bibs, hats, and scarves
  • Wind chimes
  • Handmade cards
  • Gnomes
  • Handknit hats, scarves, mittens & more
  • Patchwork potholders & scrubbies
  • Cat toys, dog bandanas & sweaters, dog biscuits.

UUCM Adult Ed: December 2022

Each program will be presented twice at different times to accommodate different schedules. Watch for links in Weekly Updates and join us!


Member Presentations: 2nd Tuesday (7 pm) and 2nd Wednesday (4 pm), members will present varied topics of interest to appeal to those doing the work of the congregation. In December there will be programs on Books and on Fractals. 


Surface of Mystery series: 4th Tuesday (7 pm) and 4th Wednesday (4 pm). The Mind/Body Problem in western philosophy and in theology: How do the ideas of Buddhism differ from those of western medieval and modern thinkers? Can we reconcile what the body tells us through our senses and experiences and what our mind tells us as intellectual thought?

What in God's Name

"What in God's Name" is a podcast featuring Rev. Shayna and her good friend and colleague, Rev. Chris Owen. The weekly show runs about 20-25 minutes and explores current events through the lenses of theology and philosophy. Learn more or sign up to be notified about upcoming podcasts at Whatingods.com.

SHARE Needs Your Support More Than Ever

This month, please purchase Pancake Mix & Syrup, Condiments, Cooking Sauces & Seasonings, Cooking Oil, Jelly, Cold Cereal for the Food Pantry at SHARE. Leave items in the basket in Barnum Hall, or click to see where to drop off food donations.

To contact UUCM leadership:

  • Jamie, our administrator, will be in the office Monday-Thursday from 8am-3pm. You can reach her at 603-673-1870 or at office@uucm.org.
  • Rev. Shayna can be reached at minister@uucm.org or call 603-673-1870 x2. For time sensitive or urgent/emergent situations – text or call 802-579-6066.  
  • The UUCM Board can be reached at board@uucm.org.

For Pastoral Care Assistance in December: Contact Karen Walsh or office@uucm.org.

Newsletter deadlines: 

Where to Find:

  • Latest COVID update - Reopening UUCM
  • Directory & Committee Listings - You will find the newest directories here in the Members Resources section of the UUCM website.
  • Get Login or Website Help - commteam@uucm.org

Find it on UUCM.org

The easiest and quickest way to find information on our website is to use the Search feature. Enter a word or two into the search box located at the upper right.

UUCM 603-673-1870 office@uucm.org

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