The Holidays Are Upon Us - Rejoice!

 The holiday cycle from Thanksgiving through New Year's is an exciting time at our church.  Lots of events and happenings to consider.  

• Advent - On Sunday, December 7, we explore the season of Advent with a service on "The Origins of Perfection" which asks us to consider what is truly special and a vessel for the sacred coming into the world. 
• Holiday Spectacular Soulful Sundown - Our Soulful Sundown Vespers Service on December 7, 2014 is Spectacular!  Due to the number of members of our community who are involved in the Diane Kelley Holiday Spectacular at the Hanover Theatre on December 7. we've decided to make this our December Soulful Sundown.  The 2 ¼ hour show begins at 6:00 pm.  A limited number of discounted tickets are available through Robin Caracciolo on a first come, first serve basis with priority being given to members of the youth group.  Regularly priced tickets can be purchased online (Click Here).
• Hanukah - On Sunday, December 14 we contemplate the lessons of Hanukah asking where our power for transformation truly resides with a service focusing on the words of the Hebrew prophet Zachariah, "Not by Might or Power, But by Spirit". 
• Winter Solstice - On Sunday, December 21 at 10:00 AM we will host our Annual Winter Solstice Service "The Memory of Light"
• Annual Holiday Vespers and Vespers Tea!  On Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 PM our Annual Holiday Vespers service "Come and Behold" with a pageant, choir anthems, solos and readings for the season, concluding with an exquisite moment of candlelight and song.  This special service is followed by our grand Holiday Vespers Tea in Fellowship Hall with glorious foods, great conversation and much cheer!
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - On Wednesday, December 24 at 9:00 PM we gather for our Annual Christmas Eve Service, a quiet, contemplative time of carols, lessons, meditation, and candlelight to contemplate "An Offering of Love".  On Sunday, December 28, we welcome Rev. Jennifer Innis again to our Sanctuary for her annual return to her home congregation.

This season of celebration also includes plentiful opportunities to give and to support this congregation's mission and ministries. 

• Children will be decorating our Fellowship Hall Giving Tree with lights, hats, mittens, and gift envelopes.  Please bring hats or mittens or socks (for men, women or children)...we will donate them to our food pantry clients and a local nursing home.  Also..there will be cards that everyone can take off the tree and fill with a monetary gift for any families in our midst who have expressed a need, or a $10 grocery a gift card for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry. After you take an envelope off the tree and fill it---- please place it in the gray mailbox outside of the church office.  Please note on your check what the donation is for:  Food Pantry  or Families. All envelopes should be returned before Dec 19th.
• The Youth Group Presents a Special Childcare Evening as a Church fundraiser........ Just in time to take a breath for the holidays!! Saturday , Dec 13th   5:00-9:00 pm  at UUCW. Donation:   $20 per child. Includes: dinner, crafts, holiday games, holiday movie.  To secure your space, please register HERE!
• Books for Liberia - A few of us at UU have been contacted to help with a book drive.  Instead of our holiday shoe-box event, we will be donating books to kids, ages 3-15, in Liberia.  Because of political strife in that country beginning in 1980, schools, libraries, books and supplies were destroyed by fire.  Through education, we would like to help Liberians regain their equilibrium.  Math and science textbooks are greatly in need as well as encyclopedias, dictionaries and reference books. Age-appropriate new and gently used books of all kinds are also welcome.  Obtaining a number of one kind of book would greatly benefit kids in the classroom.  Look for the power point presentation re this drive in  our One-Room School House on Dec. 7. For those who do not have the time to find books, a shipping donation will be very much appreciated.  Each box of books costs $15.00 dollars. As in the past, Robin and her RE will jump in head first to help with this event. Please place your books in the box labeled "Books for Liberia" which will be either in Robin's office or in Fellowship Hall.
• Holiday Shop Church Fundraiser - December 14 & 21. Last minute shopping? Come Visit the Holiday Shop! Equal Exchange Fair Trade Products. UUA Bookstore Book Fair. Handmade Gift Items. Baked Goods. All proceeds benefit UUCW.  Times: 8:30- 12:30  and also before and after Vespers on 12/21, Before Church, At Coffee Hour and After Church until 12:30 in classrooms 2 and 3! Crafters and Bakers:  Do you have items to donate? Volunteers: Would you like to work at the Holiday Shop on the 14th or on the 21st? Please Contact Robin.
• Plan on enjoying the Annual Vespers Tea immediately after the beautiful Holiday Vespers Service (4 PM).   We will take out our silver coffee and tea service and our china to again celebrate the holiday season the way our congregation has done it for years. Come into Fellowship Hall still singing "Silent Night" and join us in fellowship and wonderful food, drink, and conversation. Please bring either a savory (if your last name starts with A - P) or sweet dish (Q - Z) to share. Drop it off in Fellowship Hall before the service. Write a list of the ingredients on a file card and place it with your dish to provide information for people with allergies. We will be setting up an hour prior to the start of service. Can you come early and set up tables and/or help with plating?   Are you available to help set out food after the service? Who wants to serve tea water, coffee, or festival punch? Lastly, we need all to help clean up so no one has to stay late. If you are willing to be part of any of these important groups, please CLICK HERE to sign up. Thank you for your time and consideration in helping us make this "The Best Vespers Ever!"

Much happening here to celebrate the Holidays!  Hope you will join us for any or all of these special events and opportunities!

May this season bring you bright moments of joy and may you too awaken to new life!

Blessings,

Rev. Aaron Payson