This Week at UUP: Winter Solstice Drum Circle

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


ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

Children's Choir Rehearsal this Sunday - 9:30 am
Elizabeth Nielsen will be directing our children's choir in their final rehearsal before their Christmas Eve performance. The choir and Elizabeth are doing an amazing job, and the Christmas Eve service promises to be a moving and beautiful experience for all. Choir members will be provided with hot cider and breakfast treats, before and after their rehearsal.

Adult Discussion Group this Sunday - 9:30 am to 10:15 am
Come join Marlene Abel and other friendly adults in the fireside room at UUP in a discussion of "Finding Meaning in the Holidays". This is a drop-in group, and all adults are welcome to come share their thoughts on the topic.

Santa Lucia Procession
This Sunday will be our annual celebration of Santa Lucia's Day, which is an ancient Swedish tradition of welcoming back the light at the Winter solstice. Children and Youth are invited to process at the beginning to the service. Costumes will be provided, except that each child or youth should wear a plain white shirt from home, either long or short sleeve. Children and youth should arrive by 10:15 to get ready. Girls will be given long white skirts and silver garlands, and the boys will wear Star Hats and carry star wands.

"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 other's 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? Contact KC Greaney.

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.

UUP Now Has a Facebook Page
If you're on Facebook, come join the UUP Facebook group. If you're not, then maybe you'd like to give it a try--it's free and all too easy. Questions? Ask UUP's webmaster, David Dodd. To see more details and confirm this group invitation, follow this link.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 5 pm
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.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CORNER Service is our Prayer
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
The Guest At Your Table boxes and donation envelopes distributed during the past several weeks will be gratefully received during the Christmas Eve Service - or as soon as possible thereafter. As you prepare to return your gift, please note the membership levels printed on your box or envelope. Please give as generously as you are able so that, through the work of UUSC, we may bring hope for a better future to those around the world less fortunate than ourselves. 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 the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock.
SRC Thought for the Week
"I will light candles this Christmas;
Candles of joy despite all sadness;
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch;
Candles of courage for fears ever present;
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens;
Candles of love to inspire all living;
Candles that will burn all the year long."
-- Rev. Howard Thurman

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 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.

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.