Raising money to buy t-shirts for our elementary and middle-school girls for their performance next week. $2 suggested donation. Sponsored by the Girls in Motion ExCo.

Peace Community Church is offering a four-week Advent Study on "The First Christmas," a book by Marcus Borg and Dominic Crossan. The study will be led by Steve Mayer and Kristen Bredenbeck Mayer. For more information, contact the church at 774-3031. Books are available on amazon.com.

Wednesdays beginning 11/28, 12:15 pm, First Church in Oberlin (UCC)

Performers in the opening concert include: organists James David Christie (Professor of Organ, Oberlin), Don Verkuilen (Minister of Music at First Congregational Church, Elyria), harpist Kevin Layer (OC '12), soprano Marlene Rosen (Oberlin Professor of Voice), plus a string orchestra of Oberlin students and community members. Bring a bag lunch.

Monday, 12/3, 7:30 pm, Wilder 112

A conversation about our campus climate and how to build a more pluralistic community. Sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Interfaith Student Council, and the Religious Pluralism ExCo.

Thursday, 12/6, 7:30 pm, Wilder 101

Chris Stedman, former "born again" Christian, atheist, queer interfaith activist, and author of the new book Faithiest will speak about his journey and sign copies of his book. Sponsored by the Mead Swing Lectureship Committee and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Friday, 12/7, Peace Community Church (44 E Lorain St)

The event will feature a discussion led by the Inter-Religious Task Force of Cleveland (IRTF) on "fair" trade and what it means. This organization has a long and distinguished history working for justice and peace in Latin America. The IRTF, as well as members of the Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment (SEPA), will also bring items for sale that are fairly-traded and ethically-sourced gifts appropriate for holiday giving or any other occasion. The event will begin with supper at 5:30 p.m. Attenders are invited to bring some food to share with others if possible for the potluck supper. The presentation and discussion will be held from 6:45-7:45 p.m. All from the community and college are welcome to attend and participate in the forum. Parking is behind the church. Handicapped access is available. For more information, contact Rev. Mary Hammond, 774-3031.

Sunday, 12/9, 7:30 pm, Wilder Bowl

Featuring the Obertones. Grand menorah lighting, hot cocoa, latkes, coffee, doughnuts, dreidel, music. Sponsored by Oberlin Chabad Student Group.

12/10-14, 10 am-2 pm, Science Center; 12/15, 12-4 pm, First Church Fellowship  Hall

Take this opportunity to shop for gifts and intangibles that create jobs and services with local charitable organizations and global communities. Examples of participants are Oberlin Community Services, Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment, CATSS, and many others. Products from Uganda, Nicaragua, Guatemala and more will be sold, and include coffees, hot chocolate, snacks, handcrafted fabrics, jewelry, handbags, and much more! Hope to see you there, ready to have a bright holiday season and doing much to create the like for others. Sponsored by the President's Office and the Bonner Center for Service and Learning.

Thursday, 12/13, 7:30 pm, Oberlin UU Fellowship (355 E Lorain Street, east of IGA)

Come find sanctuary during the holiday season in readings, meditations, sharing, and music.  This darkest time of the year brings sadness, but also gifts. The Oberlin UU Fellowship will host this multifaith service, facilitated by Rev. Mary Grigolia and Barbara Fuchsman, sponsored by Oberlin Area Cooperating Ministries, Oberlin College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Interfaith Student Council. Reception to follow.

Sunday, 12/16, 7 pm, Finney Chapel

Come sing along, or just listen to the favorite Messiah choruses, featuring soloists from Oberlin Conservatory. A freewill offering will benefit Family Promise of Lorain County. Call Credo (440-774-3658) for more information. Hosted by Credo and co-sponsored by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.

Monday, 12/17, 7 pm, First Church in Oberlin, 106 N. Main Street

Bring your family and friends this holiday season to enjoy the brilliant sounds of organ and brass, a sing-a-long beautiful handcrafted pottery mugs, and complimentary beverages. All proceeds go directly to the Oberlin Community Services. Mugs: $10; Admission: free 

Seeking Jews, Christians, Seekers, and others! Interfaith Appalachia (IA) brings people together across differences of religion, politics, and environmental perspective for service, dialogue, and community development in central Appalachia. A diverse and tight-knit cohort of Oberlin students will learn about the vibrant culture of the Appalachian region, as well as the region's historical and current social and ecological challenges. They will approach their learning through their own worldview/religious tradition, and will have the opportunity to look through the lenses of multiple other religious/philosophical perspectives as well. While visiting Harlan County, Kentucky, students will partner with evangelical ministries and community organizations for a week of service, friendship and learning. Full-credit and half-credit options are available, with details included in the timeline. Contact: David@interfaithappalachia.org.

A limited number of spaces remain within the annual delegation traveling to two Mayan communities in rural Guatemala, sponsored by Oberlin SEPA (Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment). The trip takes place January 3-26, 2013 and brings together Oberlin College winter term students and interested older adults from surrounding communities. The cost of $1,350 plus airfare includes simple accommodations, meals, and many planned activities. The delegation will have the opportunity to study Spanish in a one to one setting (the Mayan langauge Q'eqchi' will be offered for those who are fluent in Spanish), while also teaching English to elementary and middle school students. Other activities include local cooking demonstrations, learning about herbal medicine and midwifery, and special cultural activities offered by village hosts. Travel concludes with a stop at the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Guatemala City, and a meeting with organizations that are investigating cases of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. The local nonprofit SEPA supports human rights work and educational opportunities for teachers and students in Santa Elena and Copal AA, two indigenous returned refugee villages in northwestern Guatemala.  For more information contact SEPA Board member John Gates 774-5484 or jfgates@oberlin.net.  

1/25 3-5 and 6:30-8 pm, 1/26 10 am-2 pm (lunch provided), First Church in Oberlin

The English translator of "Drawn to Freedom" Dr. William Rader will facilitate this discussion that will address the role of freedom in the Christian life and the divide between Christians who place different emphases on personal morality or social justice. In his translator's preface, Rader recognizes that while it might seem counterintuitive to use a catechism as a springboard to discuss freedom, he sees Busch's work as a way to answer the question, "Why are you called a Christian?" and is primarily interested in the relevance of the gospel for this "tangled world." Eberhard Busch is best known for his biography of Karl Barth. $10.00 registration fee; $15 for registration and "Drawn to Freedom"; $20 for registration, "Drawn to Freedom" and "The Heidelberg Catechism". RSVP by 1/15 to Jim Deitz ejdeitz@centurytel.net, 988-2714 or Linda Slocum lrslocum@gmail.com, 775-2482.