Monday, December 23, 2024 — 7 pm

Eve-of-the-Eve Service

"This Night is a Holy Night"

Each night a child is born is a holy night. This Eve-of-the-Eve we will celebrate the presence of life in each birth, the opportunity in each turning of the globe for us to witness the rebirth of the earth, and to be lights in the healing, restful darkness. May this be a community of restful darkness and glowing light; of presence in the world and spiritual deepening. May we be beloved community.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Minister
• Service participants from the congregation
• Michael Casey, Musician
• First performance of the newly formed UUCR Choir

The service will be followed by our traditional Cookie Reception.

Please CLICK HERE to join us via ZOOM.

December 29 | "Counting My Blessings" — In-person & Zoom

On the cusp of the new year, between having completed our wish lists for Christmas and ruminating on our resolutions for the New Year, we might very well take a moment to reflect on our blessings; those we celebrate every day, those we too often overlook and take for granted, and all those in between.

• Rev. Greg Chute, Guest Speaker
• Annie Lavin & Connie Schroth, Worship Leaders
• Michael Casey, Musician
• Theo Kehm, RE

January 5 | "Myth and Mystery" — In-person & Zoom

Myths hold the mystery of humanity's experiences when we can't explain them. We shape myths with our social values, worldviews, and assumptions and in turn are shaped by these same myths. The dance of myth and mystery is a beautiful thing. Let's explore them together.

• Rev. Kathryn Adams, Guest Speaker
• Kim Agee, Worship Leader
• Michael Casey, Musician

To read this email in your browser:

View as Webpage

• This Week's Worship Service
• Upcoming Worship Services
• This Issue's Contents
• Helpful Links, Office Hours, Upcoming Events Calendar
• Minister's Column
• Potluck at Mary Pritchard & Margo Long's Home — Dec 20
• Winter Solstice Celebration — Dec 21
• Cookie Donations Needed for Eve-of-the-Eve — Dec 23
• Holiday Office Hours & Deadline Changes
• Super Thanks for a Super Soup Sampler Supper!
• Attention Space Management!
• Photos Needed for New Members & Friends Directory
• Birthdays

It is less than a week to Christmas, and as we gather with our communities, family, and friends, I invite us to practice joy. For me, God is life... so Christmas is the celebration of life, whether that is the birth of a third of a trinity or a beautiful baby. This is an opportunity to marvel at the beautiful tenacity of life, the cyclical nature of life, the joy of life. All of it. The cyclical nature of life allows us to know that life will die, decay, and new life will emerge. Thích Nhất Hạnh spoke of holding a beautiful rose in his hand and seeing the compost it would decay to and the future rose that would emerge from that rich soil. It is how we are all stardust. When I apply this to living my life, it reminds me that the hard parts of my life have invariably led me to new growth. May we live, love, and learn in joy.

The December Potluck will be held at the home of Mary Pritchard and Margo Long on December 20^th beginning at 6 PM. All are welcome! Please bring a dish to share.

Cookie donations are needed for the Cookie Reception held after the Eve-of-the-Eve Service on Monday, December 23. Please contact Elisabeth Tully if you can help.

Since Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on a Wednesday this year, office hours will be on the Tuesday prior to each. Because of this change, deadlines for the Order of Service and Reflections will be due a day early (Tuesday) at their regular deadline times of OoS at 8:30 AM and Reflections at noon.

Our getting-to-be-annual Soup Sampler Supper, held this year on Friday night 12/13, was a great success, thanks to so many folks supporting UUCR in myriad roles:

Soup Chefs: Joy Kim, Linda Dutton, Vida Morley, Mark Handschuh, Diane Shields, David and Joan Biehler, Lynn Geisert, Elisabeth Tully, Jane Hardy, Mary Pritchard, Margo Long

Bread Bakers: Guy Edwards, Amy Warner, Nancy Holland, Vida Morley, Michael Casey, Connie Schroth

Dessert Creators: Nancy Holland, Jackie Heimbuch, Jane Hardy, Darlene Wiggers, Elisabeth Tully

Fizzy Water and Other Libations Providers: John Ramsey, Nancy Holland, several more generous souls

Friday Morning Setter-Uppers and Sanctuary Decorators: Linda Dutton, Jane and George Hardy, Lynn Geisert, Vida Morley, Amy Warner, Joy Kim, Catherine Brooks, Elisabeth Tully, Diane Shields, Jim Lavin

Emergency Plumbers: Dave Hart and M.Q. Riding

Soup Labels and Soup Selection Poster Maker: Mary Pritchard

Piano Player/Cozy Mood Setter: Philip Dutton

Detail Manager and General Support Provider: Darlene Wiggers

Friday Night Cleaner-Uppers: David Biehler, Herb Bloom, Catherine Brooks, Linda Dutton, Lynn Geisert, Terry Goldzier, Jane Hardy, Nancy Holland, Dave Hart, Joy Kim, Vida Morley, Mary Pritchard, John Ramsey, Diane Shields, Elizabeth Tully, Amy Warner

Tablecloth Launderers and Ironers: Linda Dutton, Lynn Geisert, Joy Kim, Nancy Holland, Diane Shields

Saturday Morning (More-) Cleaner-Uppers and Re-Assemblers: David Biehler, Linda Dutton, Lynn Geisert, Jane Hardy, Joy Kim, Jim Lavin, Vida Morley, John Ramsey, Diane Shields, Elisabeth Tully, Amy Warner

Sunday Morning Hymnal Schleppers: Judy Graham and Joy Kim

With deep appreciation for these & any folks we regretfully omitted,



Your Fundraising Committee: Linda Dutton, Jane Hardy, Joy Kim, and Mary Pritchard

It has come to the attention of the board of trustees that our neighbor to the north has encroached onto our property. The board has sought guidance from an attorney in town and will be exploring UUCR’s options more fully over the coming weeks. If you have any questions, comments, or experience in these matters, do not hesitate to reach out to a board member or a member of the Building & Grounds committee. We will keep you updated as we know more.

M.Q. Riding

It’s that time again! It's time to update the photos of our smiling faces in our members and friends directory to share with our community. We especially want to invite our new attendees. Also, there have been many changes at UUCR and in the UU world that need to be reflected in our directory. We can make arrangements to take your photo at a Sunday service, or you can upload your own picture to our website HERE.

JANUARY

01 | Vida Morley

04 | Dianne Turpin

14 | Judy Graham

20 | Al Mathwich

22 | Clark Bjorke

We want to help celebrate your birthday!

If we didn't include your birthday, please contact the UUCR office by email