This service will be put on in partnership with our Circle RE Cooperative as a shared solstice pageant. Come learn about the ways that Christmas traditions originated in Pagan solstice traditions in this pageant put on by our religious education families.

Join online: zoom.us/j/89873989254

It is the season of giving, but there is continuous sharing of time, talent, and treasure all year long among all those in our community. The generosity of each and every member of this church is much appreciated.

Lisa Shumway and Ellen Rutter invite you to join them in an exercise over the next week or so. We are going to be trying a simple practice called “Joy-spotting” that was described in the December Soul Matters Small Group Packet and is detailed below. During our service on 12/26 we will share our observations. We invite all of you to give it a try as well, and share what you learned. You may also share by posting in the UUCSW members & friends Facebook group or by sending an email to Lisa or Ellen.

Joy-Spotting Exercise: Capture at least one moment of joy every day!

Using your phone camera or a notebook (“joy journal”) record what the moment is, describing it in enough detail that it will pull you back to the joy you experienced when you read it later.

Whatever mechanism you use, your goal is to “capture” a handful or two of things that, as Oliver says, “kills you with delight.” It could be an image, an activity, or even a bit of music. The important thing is to take notice of the moment.

When the week is over, take some time to reflect on the moments you’ve captured. Is there a common thread? And after reflecting, consider taking it further by doing something creative with your images and insights - creating a slideshow with music behind it or a final entry in your “joy journal”. Perhaps you write a thank you letter to your images/experiences of joy, or create a collage or print out a picture to hang on your wall.

A interesting TED talk about looking for joy in the everyday is available here.

We had a blast recording the Solstice Pageant for this week's service! You can view our video during worship this Sunday - be sure to come and see us in action!

The Circle Youth Group's next meeting will be this Sunday at 12:30 pm at UUCSW. We will be meeting in the Chapel. Games and challenges will make up most of our meeting, as we continue to get to know each other, and start working together as a productive group.

There will be no RE or Youth Group on 12/26. Our next Circle RE gathering is tentatively set for 1/9 and the next YG meeting for 1/16.

Our December Food and Clothing Drive collection is TODAY from 4:30 to 5:45 pm.

Our Outdoor Hymn-Sing is this Saturday, 12/18 at 3:00 pm on the church lawn. Join us!

UUCSW Book Group will meet on 1/14 to discuss The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.

Check out this welcome video from the new ComUUnity Collaborative project.

Sanctuary/Zoom

Sanctuary/Zoom

UUCSW Reflections Podcast

Soul Matters Packet December 2021