Religious Education Update: December 7, 2008
Celebrating Christmas Eve
I’ve always loved Christmas Eve, that quiet time when the world seems to slow down and wait in great anticipation of the Christmas morning festivities. For me, it is a time for family, carol singing, and for appreciating the brightly lit houses glowing in the long winter night.
Several of our families have wanted to attend Christmas Eve worship in past years, and have visited neighboring UU churches, where they enjoyed lovely music and candle filled services. But as beautiful as those programs were, they’ve reported to me that they missed being in Petaluma and celebrating with our UU’P community. I was, of course, very happy when the Worship Committee and the UUP Board agreed to hold a Christmas Eve service in Petaluma this year.
What I never anticipated was Elizabeth Nielsen’s, David Dodd’s, and Leslie Harrison’s willingness to organize a children’s choir for the service. I also never expected 19 children and youth to arrive very early on a Sunday morning (9:30 a.m.) for their first rehearsal. Last Sunday, I heard from even more families that were interested in having their children sing. We expect a sizeable children’s choir on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve service will also include the Petaluma Brass Quintet, organized by Earl Cruser, performing traditional Christmas music. I am part of that group, along with Karen Rutherford, and the five of us are enjoying rehearsing together. After the service, UUP members, friends and family will have the opportunity to dine with others in our UUP community in suppers being organized by KC Greaney.
If you’re in Petaluma this coming Christmas Eve, I hope you’ll be part of our UUP celebration of music, warmth and hope that the winter holidays bring into our hearts. When nature brings us darkness and cold, it is quite fitting that we remember the joys which sustain us through the long nights.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
I’ve always loved Christmas Eve, that quiet time when the world seems to slow down and wait in great anticipation of the Christmas morning festivities. For me, it is a time for family, carol singing, and for appreciating the brightly lit houses glowing in the long winter night.
Several of our families have wanted to attend Christmas Eve worship in past years, and have visited neighboring UU churches, where they enjoyed lovely music and candle filled services. But as beautiful as those programs were, they’ve reported to me that they missed being in Petaluma and celebrating with our UU’P community. I was, of course, very happy when the Worship Committee and the UUP Board agreed to hold a Christmas Eve service in Petaluma this year.
What I never anticipated was Elizabeth Nielsen’s, David Dodd’s, and Leslie Harrison’s willingness to organize a children’s choir for the service. I also never expected 19 children and youth to arrive very early on a Sunday morning (9:30 a.m.) for their first rehearsal. Last Sunday, I heard from even more families that were interested in having their children sing. We expect a sizeable children’s choir on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve service will also include the Petaluma Brass Quintet, organized by Earl Cruser, performing traditional Christmas music. I am part of that group, along with Karen Rutherford, and the five of us are enjoying rehearsing together. After the service, UUP members, friends and family will have the opportunity to dine with others in our UUP community in suppers being organized by KC Greaney.
If you’re in Petaluma this coming Christmas Eve, I hope you’ll be part of our UUP celebration of music, warmth and hope that the winter holidays bring into our hearts. When nature brings us darkness and cold, it is quite fitting that we remember the joys which sustain us through the long nights.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 8:41 AM
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