This Week at UUP: December 6-12, 2007

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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Share-the-Plate This Sunday with Petaluma's Committee on the Shelterless (COTS)
In this season of sharing, and in the midst of all the commercial hype, we will share our Sunday offering plate with the wonderful local organization, COTS, who do so much to provide for those without a roof over their heads. Please come prepared this Sunday to be a generous supporter of this important effort in our community.

Religious Education Teacher needed for 3- to 6-year-old Sunday morning class
This teacher would work cooperatively with the Director of Religious Education Marlene Abel, the Religious Education committee, and volunteers from the congregation to enrich our program and engage our curious UUP kids. This individual would also help plan and staff special events. Applicant should have experience in working with young children and references. This is a paid staff position. 10 am- noon Sunday mornings. UU curriculum and supplies are provided. For more information, contact Marlene.

Guest At Your Table
Our church's GAYT program, which helps support the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's work around the globe, got off to a great start last Sunday as several Guest boxes were "adopted" into UU homes for the month. But don't worry if you missed out - we have more! This Sunday Rosemary Dodd and Ashley West will tell us about Mary and the Rock Women's Group of Nairobi, Kenya. Please join us and learn how you can help UUSC make a difference in the world. - Jan Crosby, for UUSC.

UUP Welcomes New Members on December 16
We'll be welcoming new members into our congregation on Sunday, December 16, during the service. If you have been considering becoming a member, and would like to join on the 16th, or if you have any questions about membership in UUP, please email or call David Dodd, for the UUP Membership Committee.

Lost and Found
A child's red and black "lady bug" umbrella was found after the service last week. To claim it, please call Jan Crosby, or see Jan at church on Sunday.

UPCOMING 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 9th: "Sustainability--For the Holidays and For Ever"
Worship Associate: Lara Abel
Guest Speaker: Stuart Moody
Greeters: Michael Pool, Leslie Harrison, Dennis Zerbo
What are the hidden costs of over consumption? How can we reverse the trends of waste and pollution that threaten the earth? Stuart Moody of Green Sangha will explore with us the intimate relationship between spiritual growth and environmental action. Included will be a simple meditation for clarity, calm, and courage.

Sunday, December 16th: "Solstice Drumming Celebration"
Worship Associate: Tony Blake
Greeters: Lara Abel, Leslie Balestreri, Beatrice Pool
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.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
UUP Board of Trustees meeting Sunday, Dec 9 at 8:30 am at the Petaluma Woman's Club.

Have an announcement to include in the UUP "This Week at UUP" email? Send notice of any and all UUP-related activities, announcements and events to Jennifer Newman, UUP Administrative Assistant, at uupetaluma at gmail.com by Tuesday for inclusion in that week's "This Week at UUP" email.

For complete and up-to-date info on the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma, visit www.uupetaluma.org.

If you have changed your email address or would like to be added to or removed from the UUP list, please email us at uupetaluma at gmail.com.