Family Ministry & Religious Education Outreach

News & Invitations

December 5, 2024

Dear Friends,

"Wait."

That's the word that my 5-year-old thought she heard in a loud, strange voice as she woke up this morning. It was a dream, we told her. But I think it's more than a dream too; I think she's picking up on a mood. It's the season of waiting after all. Waiting for Christmas. Waiting for Hanukkah. Waiting for Kwanzaa. Waiting for the solstice, when the light begins to return. Waiting for the beginning of a new year. Christians observe this time as Advent (Dec. 1 through 24), a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas and the celebration of Jesus's birth (many also see this as a mirror for the waiting and preparing for the return of Christ at the Second Coming). You may be familiar with the tradition of the Advent calendar, with its daily treats. There are also Advent wreaths or crowns that have candles to light for each week leading up to Christmas. It's all about building the anticipation. So what are you looking forward to?

Something I am anticipating this week is our annual Christmas Tree Trimming Party! It's almost here! Please join us this Friday, December 6 beginning at 5:30 PM for relaxed, casual holiday fun, food, music and crafts. It's a family-friendly event, but open to all ages. Your choice of soups and bread are offered, and you are invited to bring a side or dessert to share if you want to. Bring an instrument, or add your voice and join in the jolly holiday sing along/jam session. Help us trim our fresh, fragrant Christmas tree and add your personal flair to the decorations. It wouldn't be the same without you. I hope you will come!

Can't wait to see you!

Crystal

Religious Education Coordinator at UUSS

CrystalFountain@uuss.org

P.S.-- Don't miss this Sunday's service, December 8, when Rev. Lucy will present her sermon on "Our Moon".

Rev. Roger and Annette Orella present a Children's Chapel for children and youth in our RE classroom. More info below in this message.

Please leave early for church! The California International Marathon will cause delays in the Arden Arcade area!

A Few Extra Resources...

"The Art of Waiting", some great resources and reflections from The Marginalian

"First Comes the Waiting" by Rev. Erika Hewitt from the UUA's Worship Web

A Guide to Planting Bulbs in the Sacramento Valley by The Sacramento Master Gardeners: Start now and wait for flowers in the spring and beyond! It's also a fun activity to do with children as you are waiting for the first green buds to appear.

Please scroll to the bottom for a recurring section for more about talking to children about difficult subjects, like what they see in the news.

Soul Kids

(our Sunday School program for grades K-5)

Presents

Children's Chapel

Kids are invited to participate in a special Children's Chapel service during the regular Sunday worship service this Sunday, December 8. Rev. Roger and UUSS member and RE teacher, Annette Orella, will lead the chapel and invite kids to participate and learn about different aspects of this service adapted for children. They will explore themes related to Advent, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Youths (grades 6-12) are welcome to participate too! Please start in service.

Please note that the California International Marathon will pass through the Arden-Arcade area on Dec. 8. Check how your route will be affected here. Expect detours and delays--leave early!

Please Register Here for Religious Education Programs

Whether you are new to RE, or you are a returning family, please register with your current information.

All ages of babies, children and youth who will be in any program from the Nursery to SHYG, should register. Thank you for your participation!

Click Here to Register for RE

*Click here to register for

Our Whole Lives (OWL) for grades 7-9*

Last minute Registration is still open!

Full Schedule and Fees available now on our website: uuss.org/owl

Registration for OWL grades 4-6 will be postponed for a few weeks while we finalize the schedule. OWL 4-6 is a shorter program and the fees and schedule will be different

Please check back for updates or send inquiries to

CrystalFountain@uuss.org

Sunday Mornings with UUSS

COVID policy:

Masks Recommended but not Required- read more

Join us for Worship Services in person or on Zoom Zoom links here

Service time 10:30 a.m.

Did you miss a service? You can find links to past services here .

Visit the UUSS Website

Our community partner for December is

Family Promise

Half of all offerings this month will go to benefit our community partner.

To donate now at the UUSS website, click here.

"May generosity bless our world. May gratitude nourish our spirits."

Join the Holiday Fun at UUSS!

Friday, December 6

Christmas Tree Trimming Party for all ages, starts at 5:30pm, caroling/holiday jam session, crafts and fun! Includes choice of soups and bread for dinner--bring an appetizer, side or dessert to share!

Saturday, December 14

Holiday Crafternoon/Parent-Guardian afternoon out

Drop off your kid(s)/youth(s) while you go out for the afternoon to finish holiday shopping or just take time for yourself. Kids will have snacks, supervision and opportunities to make holiday craft projects with festive music and games.

Click Here to Register your child(ren) for the Holiday Crafternoon

1:00pm to 4:00pm

Sunday Morning Programs

Please join us this Sunday, Dec. 8 at 9:30 AM for sermon

discussion in the Fahs Room with UUSS Members, Peter and Lue Bishop

Nursery care is available during before service programs.

Childcare--The Nursery (Rm 11) welcomes infants 6m+ through age 5 for staff-supervised, self-directed play, snacks, and fun with friends. Don't forget to sign in and indicate allergy information when you arrive at Room 11. Please access through the main entrance and not from the parking lot.

Soul Kids -- K-5th grade. Most Sunday mornings during service. Join us to light the chalice, check in with your friends (old and new), share a story or song and conclude with a creative activity (usually involving Lego builds!) expanding on the story themes. We sometimes end on the playground. The next meeting of Soul Kids is this Sunday, Dec. 15

Join us this Sunday, Dec. 8, for a Children's Chapel with Rev. Roger and Annette! Youth are also welcome to join. Everyone please start in service!

Junior High Youth Group (JHYG) -- Grades 6-7-8. 1st and 3rd Sundays during service. The next meeting is Sunday, Dec. 15

Senior High Youth Group (SHYG) -- Grades 9-12. 1st and 3rd Sundays during service. The next meeting is Sunday, Dec. 15

An Extra Chance to Attend:

Exploring UUism on Zoom

1st Tuesdays 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

Next meeting: Tuesday, January 7th,

in the Main UUSS Zoom room: uuss.org/online

This will repeat the topic from the in-person Exploring UUism class that takes place before service (9:30 AM) on the 4th Sunday of the prior month

Other opportunities (beyond Sunday mornings) to explore UU values and UUSS membership in the coming year! Interested in more beyond Sunday classes? Would you like more family friendly membership events? Respond to Rev. Roger with interest. We want to hear from you!

Looking for more UUSS on Zoom?

Find opportunities to participate by clicking here!

The Unitarian Origins of Modern Christmas Traditions

with Rev. Roger

Dec. 10 7:00 pm in person and on Zoom via uuss.org/online.

No charge, but freewill monetary donations are welcome. Maximum 15 people in person; please register at the Sunday Connections table if you will be coming in person.

This is the first installment of:

Our 2nd Tuesday Forum: Religious History & New Perspectives

a monthly program of Adult Enrichment hosted by Rev. Roger

Second Tuesday of every month. Children and youth are welcome with accompanying adult.

Join the Newcomer's Orientation tour each 2nd Sunday after service. Meet Rich Howard at the Greeter's table in the Welcome Hall. The next tour is: this Sunday, December 8.

Is your family interested in a sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker? Placer Theatre Ballet presents this event in cooperation with the UCDavis MIND Institute: