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Sunday, December 18
Worship Service for All Ages - 9:15am
A telling of the Christmas Story, with Christmas carols. A worship service for all ages.
Worship Service for All Ages - 11:00am
"Participatory Pageant for All"
We'll enact the Christmas story and reflect on its meaning. Have you always wanted to be a star? Or maybe an angel, a wise person, or a shepherd? This is your chance! No advance preparation is required: costumes, props, and stage directions will be provided on the spot. A worship service for all ages.
Religious Education
Worship for all ages this Sunday. Childcare is available in the nursery from 9:00-12:30.
 Sharing Holiday Treats - After Both Services
To celebrate all the joys this season brings, we invite everyone to bring a special treat to share after services this week. Maybe a sweet bread or pastry, cheese and crackers, cookies or candies (homemade or bought): whatever treat brings back memories and makes this season special to you. We will delight in taking the time to share the food that nurtures our wintertime souls.
Crackerbarrel - 9:30am
"Bilingualism and its Political Implications"
We will continue our discussion from earlier this month, focusing this week on the political implications of bilingualism. Discussion Leader: Suzanne Hess.
Join us to stand in support of Black Lives Matter
12:10pm-12:30pm
You are invited to stand on Ridge Avenue between 12:10pm and 12:30pm to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Signs and buttons are available for purchase at the back of the sanctuary. Signs and song lyrics will be provided for use.
Sponsored by the REAL team.
The Chris Isely Cancer Support Group -
9:15am
The group is open to anyone facing cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend. This lay-led group is a safe place for sharing and hope. Interested participants are encouraged to drop in any time. Questions? Contact Renee Hoff
or Brian Meister.
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Board Calls Congregational Meeting to Vote on Eileen Wiviott's Ordination
Sunday, January 8, 12:30pm
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The UCE Board of Trustees is very pleased to share with you that we voted to hold a Congregational Meeting on January 8 to vote on the Ordination of Eileen Wiviott. We ask for your attendance at this short meeting. It is important that we have a quorum. She has chosen UCE as the congregation she'd like to ordain her. Click here for Eileen's letter.
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Special Holiday Sing Thing!
Thursday, December 22, 7:00pm
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Come one, come all, to a special Holiday Sing Thing, set for this Thursday night at UCE! Bring whatever snacks you want to share, and your own voice and cheer! Word sheets for songs both secular and sacred are available, and feel free to bring a guitar, banjo, or any other instrument you wish to play! Children especially welcome! Contact
Brian Nielsen for more information.
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News from the Fair Trade Cart
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Here are some of the kids who are enjoying learning about healthy living at Chute Middle School with support from UCE's Fair Trade Cart.
We have provided funds for their Healthy Eagles Club to plant and tend a garden at school and then to learn to prepare their harvest from visiting chefs. Your purchases make possible this year-long activity at Chute School in addition to paying for the gift certificates given to selected families at holiday time. We, and these kids, thank you for your continuing support of the Fair Trade Cart and wish you a Happy New Year!
Click here for more photos.
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News from the REAL Team
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A core group of leaders created the Racial Equity Action and Leadership Team in early 2015 to create, sponsor and implement programs, activities and workshops for the UCE community. REAL is organizationally part of the Social Action Council and is focused on providing education about racism and what it means to be white in our work for racial justice; and to provide channels for direct action by members of the congregation.
After two years of successful programming, the REAL Core Team (Martha Holman, Joan Retzloff and Sarah Vanderwicken) is now defining a broader committee of UCE members and friends to be REAL Activators. Several UCE members have been invaluable in the execution of programs and activities REAL has sponsored, and have initiated projects themselves. These contributors are the first new Activators: Heike Eghardt, Karen Courtright, Betty Walker and Shirley Adams. These newly designated team members will participate in planning, implementing and promoting new initiatives in 2017 and beyond.
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Getting Involved at UCE
Sunday, January 22, 12:30pm
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If you're a new member or are looking to discover the best ways to engage at UCE, join us on
Sunday, January 22 at 12:30
in room 6. New Member Committee members will answer questions, and walk through the various ways to connect with the goings on in our community.
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Yoga at UCE
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 Join us every Sunday at 8:15am and every Wednesday at 9:30am.
**Note - There will be no yoga on Sunday, Dec. 25, Wednesday, Dec. 28, or Sunday, Jan. 1. We will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 4
Yoga at UCE is designed to reduce stress, bring relaxation, increase range of motion, and find balance - restorative yoga. If you never have done yoga before, this is your opportunity. Drop in, wear comfortable clothing for stretching, and try it. Yoga is learned by doing. Community yoga mats provided if needed.
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Non-Fiction Book Group
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The non-fiction book group will meet on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 12:30pm to discuss:
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
by Naomi Klein
Laudato Si': On the Care of Our Common Home (Catholic Social Doctrine - Papal Documents)
by Pope Francis
All are welcome to join the discussion.
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Fiction Book Group
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We will be reading
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
All are invited to the discussion held at 7:30pm on Friday, January 20, 2017.
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For those who are thinking about becoming a member of the church.
Intro to Unitarian Universalism
Sunday, January 15, 12:30 - 2pm
Led by Rev. Bret Lortie, we'll look at our history, our principles, the sources of our faith, and the meaning of covenant. (This is the first step in the membership process.)
Orientation Toward Membership
Saturday, January 21, 9am - Noon
Led by Rev. Connie Grant, Membership Director Eileen Wiviott, and members of the New Member Committee. An interactive class exploring our spiritual journeys, the diversity of our beliefs, and what it means to be a member of this congregation. (This is the second step in the membership process.)
Sign up at the Guest & Member Table in the lobby or email Eileen Wiviott.
There will be childcare available upon request in advance for both of these classes.
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Upcoming UCE Events
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Tuesday, December 20, 7-9pm
Military Ministry Toolkit
Saturday, December 24, 5:00 and 9:00pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Sunday, January 22, 12:30pm
Getting Involved at UCE
Thursday Nights, 5:30pm
Meditation Group
Thursday Nights, 7pm
UCE Addictions Ministry Group
Sunday Mornings, 8:15am & Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Yoga
Saturdays at 10:00am
Open Drumming Circles
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Community Involvement
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Click each event for more information.
YWCA Let's Talk at Lunch
Third Thursday of the Month |
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Saturday, December 24
5:00 and 9:00pm
"Lessons and Carols"
Traditional Christmas Eve services with candlelighting,
for all ages
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Note - The UCE Office will be closed for the holidays beginning on Monday, Dec. 26 and will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
We will be open on Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for church services.
To all church leadership - If you have anything you would like in the 12/30 newsletter or 1/1 order of service announcements, please send it to Carli Magel by Wednesday, December 21.
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One Book, One Church
Claudia Rankine's "provocative meditation on race," Citizen: An American Lyric, is our collective book for this year. Why not buy it from Book H to give as a Christmas gift? We will be holding discussions in February and March, so start reading! Called one of the best books of the year by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, the Atlantic, and many more, the book's essays, images, and poetry present "a powerful testament to the individual and collective effects of racism."
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UU Identity Discussions
Continued learning opportunities offered monthly by the New Member Committee; open to all who want to better understand what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, no matter where you are on the membership journey:
Principles and Sources Class
1st Sundays 10:15 - 11am
Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism or you would like to better understand the seven principles and six sources of our faith, join us for this rich 45-minute discussion led by members of the New Member Committee. We
'
ll use thought provoking metaphors to dive deeper into the foundations of being a UU.
Next Principles & Sources Class: January 8 between services.
Spiritual Journeys -
a 3-part conversation
2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays
at 10:15-11am
We'll explore our religious and spiritual backgrounds, where we come from, what we want to cherish and what we want to release as we continue our journeys. This is a conversation open to all no matter where you are on the path - exploring membership, new members and long-term members alike. You can participate in any one or all three in any order.
Next Spiritual Journeys Sessions: 12/18.
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Opportunities
for Spiritual Practice
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Ministers' Schedules
Rev. Bret Lortie
is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and by appointment. Monday is sabbath and Friday devoted to writing. To send a message or read Rev. Bret's blog, visit
www.liberalfaith.org
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Rev. Connie Grant is generally in the office during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and often has evening meetings on those days. She takes Mondays off and works at home on Fridays. Please email or call Connie for an appointment.
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