Weekly Update

December 24

Christmas Eve Service

led by Rev. Laurel Gray

Come one, come all! We will be holding a traditional Lessons & Carols service on Christmas Eve. We will end by singing a candlelit “Silent Night.” We hope you will join us!

*Please note there will be no Sunday service on Christmas Day.

Join us online at zoom.us/j/89873989254

Join us by phone at 301-715-8592, meeting ID 89873989254

Please note: Masks will be required in the sanctuary during this service.

Thank you!

RE Update

Religious Exploration classes & programs will be starting in January!

Youth Group will be held on January 15 and January 29 at 1:00 pm. This is open to all high-school youth. Please check with Rev. Laurel or Colleen if you have any questions.

Religious Exploration classes kick-off on January 22 from 9:30 - 10:15 am! We will continue to hold RE classes every FIRST and THIRD Sundays from 9:30 - 10:15 am

Childcare will always be available during worship!

Please use the buttons below to register your child(ren) for RE, or to volunteer to help!

All children participating in RE will need a registration form.

Thank you!

RE Child Registration Form

RE Volunteer Form

Board Vista Letter

UUCSW has had reasons to celebrate in 2022! While crawling toward normalcy post-pandemic, one of these reasons to celebrate is that Rev. Laurel is now fully-credentialed and has been granted Full Fellowship by the UUA. In granting this status, the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee noted that “the appreciation, esteem, and trust with which [Rev. Laurel] is held by the UUCSW congregation is evident” and Rev. Laurel was “able to collaborate with the membership and lay leaders in such a way that it deepened trust and respect.” Indeed! The UUSCW Board of Trustees is excited to celebrate this milestone with Rev. Laurel. We look forward to nurturing our relationship with Rev. Laurel and creating abundance.

Stacy Spies, Co-Chair,

UUCSW Board of Trustees

UUCSW Announcements

Please note that the church office will be closed from Friday, December 23 - Sunday, January 1.

See you in 2023!

"THANK YOU to all who participated in the fun chili and caroling day last Sunday. Apologies for the change in order of events- Chili first right after church- but all certainly enjoyed the delicious various chilis and cornbread provided!

Thanks for those who helped organize the day, cooked chili and cornbread, and helped with set up and clean up.

The caroling at the Willows, which was set up by Sheila, was enjoyed by all who attended, including the carolers! It was for many a “kick off” to their holiday observances.

This church is a wonderful community!"

New Year's Day Brunch

In lieu of a traditional service in the sanctuary on Sunday, Jan 1st, the program committee invites you to join us for a potluck brunch in the Chapel at 10:30. We will share some music, light the chalice and candles of joy and sorrow, and enjoy a few readings. As you are able, please bring a food item that is easy and ready to share such as fruit salad, muffins, breakfast casserole or bagels. Coffee, tea and cider will be provided. This is an in-person activity only, there will be no online content available.

We hope to see you there!

Look up your favorite potluck recipe and stay tuned! Details to follow soon.

We are resuming “Circle Suppers” this coming winter (likely January or February). These are a fun way to meet in smaller groups of 6-8 people, hosted in someone’s home.

How it works:

The HOST provides NOTHING but the space and time, and can if desired can coordinate dishes so that not everyone brings mac and cheese. Host will set masking/testing guidelines for Covid at the time of the event.

GUESTS show up and enjoy a meal together.

SIGN UP NOW if interested either in HOSTING or ATTENDING with Kim Hall, who will help bring hosts and guests together, at:

[email protected]

Coffee Hour and Greeters

We need to have smiling faces greeting our friends at the doors. Can you help? Please sign up using this sign-up genius link: Greeter SignUp Genius Link

What does being a greeter entail? Welcoming guests at our doors, making sure they know that masks are encouraged, especially if they are going to be singing. For visitors, offer a nametag, ask a bit about them and if they have any questions. Try to take a few moments after the service to get to know them. Ask if they would like to fill out a blue card so we have their contact information.

You are also responsible for collecting the offertory during the service. The collection goes to Susie Wells who is usually sitting in the back of the sanctuary. After doing the collection, take a quick headcount of people in the sanctuary and fill in the sheet at the back of the sanctuary.

Thank you for your help in making UUCSW a more welcoming congregation.

Questions? Contact Lisa Shumway at [email protected]

Community Choir has started! Previous experience is not required, all are welcome to join us in embracing the connective healing power of communal singing. Please join us on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am!

Contact Kala Farnham at [email protected] with any questions.