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As We Journey!

Faith Development newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians of First UU:


The fall is zipping past and the lead-up to the holiday season is upon us! We have only one more regular session of our Exploration Groups before the new year; the rest of the weeks will be filled with special events, Chalice Choice Sundays, and one Sunday of deep rest with no service at all:


  • First, this Sunday, November 16, we have a very special guest leading us in multigenerational worship; Matt Meyer is a drummer, song-leader, and dynamic worship-leader, as well as the author of the picture book, Desmond Gets Free, that has been shared before in exploration groups and worship at FUUSB and which he will be retelling this Sunday!
  • Jumping out of order, December 14th will be an all-ages service trip to bring cheer and community to our homebound neighbors at the Cathedral Square Assisted Living Center. Volunteer chaperones and Faith Development staff will escort children and youth on a walking trip to sing secular "carols" with the residents there. We ask that children 5 and under bring a caregiver along and we welcome any other parents who would like to accompany us. We'll be leaving straight from the Sanctuary at approximately 10:10, hoping to return by 11:15, but asking for your grace if we are as late as 11:30. Permission slips will be required. (Sadly OWL students will need to miss this one - their group meets from 10-11:15).
  • November 23 and 30 will both be Chalice Choice Sundays, and we will lean into our earth teacher for November, Storm. specifically we plan to explore what it means to be a snowstorm: small and fragile as individual flakes, but powerful when we come together; beautiful up close as unique, multifaceted individuals, but also beautiful seen together as a sparkling blanket transforming the landscape. Choices will include making paper snowflakes to decorate the Community Room, rolling and decorating salt-dough snowflakes to bring as gifts on our caroling field trip, and a paper "snowball fight" for those who are up for some raucous physical silliness. We'll also take time to practice our carols for the upcoming trip.
  • As requested by the kids in the Building UU Values group, Dec 7th will be pajama day for all who would like to participate; feel free to wear your coziest clothes to the UU! (Really, you can wear your coziest clothes to the UU any day, but it's always more fun to do it together!)
  • The service on December 21 will be our annual multigenerational Solstice Celebration. There are volunteer roles available for children and youth (mostly non-speaking parts, like "sun-builders" and leaders for the embodied prayer), so please check your family calendars to see if you plan to attend and let us know if your children would like a role.
  • For those who celebrate Christmas, FUUSB has three Christmas Eve services, the first of which is the family-centered "No Rehearsal Pageant" 4pm service. We will need several adult volunteers to make this joyfully chaotic evening work, so if you plan to be in town and are able to help, please sign-up using the link below. While there are no rehearsals, we like to have actors sign up for the lead roles in advance, so we don't have to scramble too much on that evening; use the link below to claim a part. Pageant Helper and Actor Sign-up Link
  • Please, note that there will be no service on December 28. A link to another congregation's online worship will be provided, but FUUSB will be taking a mid-winter sleep!

90th Annual Holiday Bazaar

If it isn't already, consider making the Annual Holiday Bazaar one of your family's traditions. Being one of the volunteers is a great way to give back to this community without a longterm commitment (I know my son used to love a few hours as a salesperson in the toy room with me!) Donating items is a great way to clear out before the gift-giving season or, just come shop and enjoy the FUUSB community while finding reused or handmade goodies!

  • Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Finds: Everything from household goods and Christmas décor to homemade jams and wreaths!


Volunteer Power: We Need YOU!

Lend a hand and be part of the magic! We have shifts available to fit any schedule:


Please Contact Kim Watkin to Volunteer or ask questions. watkinfam@aol.com


Crossing Paths Parent Planning

If you have a child in the 4th-7th grade Crossing Paths group and you would like to help us plan our visits to neighboring houses of worship, which will begin in January 2026, please join Erika and the core team of parent organizers on Zoom, Monday, November 17, from 7:30-8:30. https://zoom.us/j/96946962113

Clothing Drive

Looking for an opportunity to get rid of some cold weather children's clothes before the holiday season? Want to be sure your kids' hand-me-downs go to directly to families in our community?


Well, some helpful FUUSBers have volunteered to collect any donations you bring to the Meeting House this Sunday and contribute them to this drive for the Family Room (details below).


Just bring your warm things to the Memorial Alcove (tiny room with benches near the bathrooms on the main floor) when you come for the service and they'll take it from there!

Upcoming Sundays

November 16:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Multigenerational Worship with special guest

11:10- Coffee Hour

November 23:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00- 4/5 OWL in SBA Room

10:15- Chalice Choice Activities

11:10- Coffee Hour

November 30:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:15- Chalice Choice Activities

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 7:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Family Chapel in the Community Room

10:15- Building UU Values, Crossing Paths, YUUTH

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:15- OWL Lunch in Arc Gallery

11:30- All-Youth Lunch

11:45- OWL Session in SBA, OWL Parent Circle in WYJ

December 14:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00- 4/5 OWL in SBA Room

10:15- All-ages service trip to Cathedral Sq Assited Living!

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 21:

9:45- Childcare Available in the Nursery

10:00- Multigenerational Celebration of the Winter Solstice

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 28:

No in-person service or activities!

Erika Reif, erika@uusociety.org

Director of Lifespan Faith Development

~~~

Mo Singletary, mo@uusociety.org

Family Programs Assistant