This Week at UUP: Share the Plate with COTS this Week

The Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma
Nurture Your Spirit. Help Heal Our World.


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Share-the-Plate this Sunday with Petaluma's Committee on the Shelterless (COTS )
In this season of sharing, we will share our Sunday offering plate with 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. www.cots-homeless.org

"Dinner for Eight" or more on Christmas Eve
Would you like to share Christmas Eve with your church family? Then join us as we gather in each others' homes to share dinner after the service on December 24th.
Here is how it works: Some people agree to host, and they provide the gathering location and usually a main dish. Others sign up to participate and bring other contributions to the meal. Then all gather on Christmas Eve for a community meal and good fellowship.
There is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church on Sunday services. Questions? Ask KC Greaney.

Children and Youth to perform at UUP Christmas Eve Service
All children and youth are invited to participate in singing carols at the Christmas Eve service. This Sunday marks the last rehearsal before Christmas Eve. Singers are asked to early arrival to the Christmas Eve service in preparation for their performance. Rehearsals are led by Elizabeth Nielson.

Religious Education Discussion Group prior to Sunday Service
Marlene will host one more discussion group in the fireside room during children's choir practice this Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:15. Anyone is welcome to join. Coffee and munchies provided. This week's topic: The Stirrings of Compassion: caring for one another

Holiday Fundraiser for our high-school-age youth
UUP high school youth are selling holiday cards at UUP after the services each Sunday. If you're thinking about buying cards this year, please consider buying from our youth. Also for sale are gift bags and gift tags. Proceeds from the sales will help pay for their Coming of Age Program, a series of retreats and UUP youth activities.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
We are approaching the conclusion of this year's participation in Guest At Your Table. The GAYT boxes and donation envelopes distributed during the past month will be gratefully received during the Christmas Eve service - or as soon thereafter as possible. As you prepare to return your gift please note the membership levels printed on your box or envelope. We can best support UUSC through educating ourselves and others about the important work this organization does in human rights and social justice work, and by giving as generously as we are able. Although a donation of any amount is appreciated, we can make the largest impact by qualifying for a matching donation. All donations of $100 or more per household will be matched by a grant from the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock.
SRC Thought for the Week: "It is only giving that stimulates. Impart as much as you can of your own spiritual being to those who are on the road with you." - Albert Schweitzer

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.)

This Sunday, December 14, 2008: "Into Darkness"
Worship Leaders: Jodi Boyle and Elisabeth Hathaway
As we near the winter solstice we all face the prospect of entering into a place of darkness, the longest night, the darkest hour. Symbolically this is the belly of the whale, a narrow gate, a place of great unknown and unknowing, wihc can be terrifying and lonely, and many of us do much to avoid it. Yet this is also the spiritual symbol of great potential and profound transition, for out of the darnkess into the light is one the central metaphors for growth and rebirth across the ages and cultures: out of the darkness a child is born, a new year, enlightenment. Today we will have an experiential and meditative service, holding this place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence, before we emerge into the light of the celebration next week with the drumming circle.

Sunday, December 21, 2008: Winter Solstice Drum Circle
Worship Leaders: Tony Blake and Meredith Guest
Following last week's "holding the place of darkness collectively, with its mystery, waiting and silence", this week we welcome earth's slow, yet inexorable, return to the light with singing, drumming and resounding joy. Bring a drum, an instrument, a sound maker or just yourself to this annual celebration led by Tony Blake.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 5 pm: Christmas Eve
Worship Associates: Lara Abel and Diana Spaulding
Please join us for our first-ever UUP Christmas Eve service, as we celebrate the season with singing and fellowship. Special music will include the debut of our Children's Choir, led by Elizabeth Nielsen; a performance from the Bach "Magnificat" by a talented trio of UUP singers (Elizabeth Nielsen, Rachel Steiner, and Kendra Bushong); and a brass quintet.

Sunday, December 28, 2008: Worship Leaders: Meredith Guest and Lara Abel
Now that the official madness…excuse me, I mean 'holiday' is past, I'd like to invite you to join me in taking a closer, in-depth look at what Luke, the original author of what must surely be THE most universally misunderstood story of all times, had in mind when he penned it some time late in the first century. It could be surprising and hopefully, enlightening.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED GATHERINGS
The Woman's Group meets Monday, December 15th at 7:30 at Jean Conrad's house. All women are welcome! Those attending are invited to bring a reading or a symbol of the season to share.
Larking About, the UUP choir, meets Wednesdays at 8 pm at David Dodd and Diana Spaulding's house.