This Week at UUP: December 7-13

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
An Oasis for Heart and Mind Every Sunday in Downtown Petaluma

For complete up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma, see our website: www.uupetaluma.org
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SUNDAY SERVICES

(Social time with refreshments begins at 10:00 am, at the Petaluma Woman's Club, 518 B Street. Worship service begins at 10:30 am. )

Sunday, December 10: The Level Gaze"
Regular Guest Minister, Leland Bond-Upson
In honor of his cousin who has passed, Leland will speak of how her life has inspired him to speak in praise of cheerful stoicism, of meeting life as an equal, of accepting both the welcome and the unwelcome without a fuss, of being at peace with what is.
This is a Share-The-Plate Sunday! We will split our non-pledge offering with COTS (Committee on the Shelterless), as part of our ongoing commitment to support local community organizations.

Sunday, December 17: "Winter Solstice and Santa Lucia Service"
Worship Associate: Tony Blake
Many western religious observances are rooted in ancient earth-centered recognitions of seasonal events often marked with celebrations. Ancient cultures, especially those from Northern latitudes, were acutely attuned to seasonal changes related to the longest or shortest days of the year. Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and has been recognized for thousands of years through ceremonies that typically involve welcoming the light back into our existence. Long, ago, the Vikings of Sweden held festivals to mark the first day of winter, the exact middle of winter, and the last day of winter. This ceremony later became known as Santa Lucia. Come join us just prior to the Winter Solstice in a participatory intergenerational service full of song, ceremony, and a UUP community drum circle to celebrate the light coming back into our lives.

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Caroling Potluck! Saturday, December 16th

Come celebrate Beethoven's Birthday (he would have been 236 this year...) at 6 pm on Saturday the 16th. We'll have a potluck and a sing at Nancy and Tony Blake's home. All UUP Members and Friends welcome! Call Nancy (765-9231) to RSVP and/or for directions or more information.

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Community Drum Circle

Following the Dec. 17th Winter Solstice Service, UUP is sponsoring a Community-wide Drum Circle at the Petaluma Woman's Club from 1 pm – 3 pm. Led by master facilitator Kim Atkinson of Pulsewave Percussion, this drum circle is open to all levels and abilities. Instruments provided, or bring your own! Donations requested. Visit the website for details!

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Save the date!

SPRING WOMEN'S RETREAT is being planned: March 2-5, 2007.
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Book Club

A group led by Earl Cruser is meeting regularly to discuss A Chosen Faith, An introduction to Unitarian Universalism. The group will meet next on December 17th after the service in the Woman's Club Fireside Room. New members welcome!

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Updated Church Directory

The 2007 UUP Church Directory is now available. Please pick up your copy from the table at the back of the room after the service on Sunday.

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One Day Introductory Workshop on Huna Energy: Saturday, December 9th, 9 am - 5pm.

Join a small group for an experiential training on Subtle Energy work with Gabriel Sakakeeny. He will lead us in the first level of Huna, a Hawaiian teaching and spiritual practice using mystical traditions to celebrate life and integrate spirit and body (see more information on the website: www.spiritunfold.com ). Fee: $100.
Please contact T Hathaway to register!

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Regularly Scheduled Gatherings

-UUP Board of Trustees: Monthly meeting, Sunday, Dec. 10th, 8:30 a.m. in the Fireside Room at the Woman's Club.

-Larking About (UUP Choir): Rehearsal Sunday, Dec. 10th, 9:30 am at the Women's Club.
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