UUCP Compass
December:  Living a Life of Faith 
FEATURED THIS WEEK

Get Ready for the Live Auction Bonanza!    

Online Silent Auction through December 7, Live Auction on Sunday, December 7

You can now view the list of items being offered at the Live Auction Bonanza! by clicking here. All proceeds from our Live Auction will support the ministries of the congregation. 


Participants will be required to register for the auction in order to bid. Same day registration will happen between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM on Sunday but you can save time and avoid waiting in line by pre-registering online here on Friday by 2:00 PM. 

THIS SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM, AUCTION TO FOLLOW AT 11:00 AM
December 7:  The Language of Faith 
Service Leader  Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
What does traditional religious language, words like faith, sin, salvation, prayer mean in a non-traditional age? What is the value in understanding them in our non-traditional faith?

New Day Center Meal Service     

Sunday, December 7, at 5:15 PM

Live out the UU commitment to serving those in need by serving a meal to the residents of the UMOM New Day Center. Volunteers meet at the center at 5:15 PM and help feed a nutritious meal to the 150 parents and children who are living at New Day and rebuilding their lives. This is a great opportunity for singles, couples, families with children (age 8+) or interest groups here at UUCP to be of service, spend time with friends and make new ones. This is a one-time, two-hour commitment. Please email Janet Williams to learn more or sign up.

NEXT SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
December 14:  Tell Me About the Faith You Don't Believe In
Service Leader  Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray
Even if you reject many traditional understandings of faith, there is still a lot of room to hold some hope beyond the present moment. So, I'll tell you about the faith I don't have and the faith I do.
Starting Point
Sunday, December 14, at 10:45 AM in the Lobby
Meet a member of our Welcoming Ministry and our Children's Ministry Director in the front foyer at 10:45 AM for a brief tour of our campus. You will have a chance to learn about our programs and ask questions in this informal introduction to UUCP. No sign up. Just show up!
Featured Events

Outreach Music Ministry - Christmas Caroling

Saturday, December 13, at 1:00 PM

The Outreach Music Ministry welcomes you to go Christmas Caroling with us. We will meet at UUCP at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 13, and go out to bring Christmas cheer to our fellow UU's. If you want to sing with us, or have any questions, please email Jerry Whalin.

Poetry Coffeehouse Meets Next Week

Sunday, December 14, at 11:00 AM, in Annex C

Poetry Coffeehouse will be postponed to Dec 14 this month so members can attend the auction. Meet next Sunday at 11:00 AM in Annex C.

Child Dedications

December 24 at 5:30 and 7:30 PM 

In Unitarian Universalist congregations, child dedications are an opportunity for parents to bring their young children to be blessed and welcomed into community. It is also a way for the community to offer their blessings and support to the parents and children. Child dedications are done with a rose and a sprinkling of water and words of blessing for the child. For more information, please email Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.

Share the Journey! Grow in Spirit! Be a Worship Associate!

Are you interested in helping to create and lead Sunday morning worship at UUCP? Maybe Worship Associates is for you! Beginning in the spring, selected worship associates will collaborate with Reverend Susan and Benjie Messer in creating and leading Sunday services. Applications are being accepted until January 18, 2015. Associates will be trained in February. Check the website for more information, or email Rev. Susan.

Make Your Year-End Charitable Gifts Now

Are you caught up in the holiday giving spirit? Looking for a year-end tax deduction?  Please consider the following resources for charitable donations:

UUCP 

It's always a good time to give a little extra to the congregation! To participate in the auction,click here. To make a gift to the congregation, click here.

Puente Toy Drive 

Puente has among its members over 200 children who will not receive a holiday gift. Most of these children are in families where someone is in immigrant detention. Many have lost their primary bread-winner and are struggling to put food on the table. Drop off toys in the back of the Sanctuary on Sunday, December 7 and 14. Toys should be new, unwrapped, and primarily for ages 6 - 10. (Dolls should have dark hair please.) Questions: contact Sandra Weir, 602-750-1526.

Booker T. Washington Child Development Center 

In the next two years, the federal government will cut BTW's annual budget by $124,701 and $249,402 respectively. As a consequence, this program is forced to make budget cuts in teacher paid vacation and sick leave days, cuts in building costs, field trips, literacy supplies and teachers' training. Please help keep Head Start strong by mailing a financial gift to 1519 East Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034, attn: Kim Pollins; or call 602-252-4743. Your contribution may also qualify for an Arizona Charitable Tax Credit of up to $200 per person ($400 per couple).

Center for Hope

UUCP's Share the Plate beneficiary for December is the Center for Hope. Center for Hope serves homeless, pregnant women with substance abuse and mental health disorders with a continuum of services including behavioral health treatment, housing, prenatal care, parenting education, children's services, and employment assistance. Women, their newborn infants and children, and other family members end their homelessness, and build sustainable recovery and strong families capable of thriving in their community through their work at the Center. The Center will provide Christmas support for 100 families with today's contributions. Any unspecified contributions to the offertory on Sunday, December 21, will benefit the Center for Hope.

Welcoming all in building religious community, called to 
share journeys,
grow in spirit,
advance justice.