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

Still Time to Donate to the 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 this Sunday, December 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.
THIS SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
December 14:  The Faith I Don't Have
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.
Attention Parents!
Sunday, December 14, at 10:35 AM in the Sanctuary
There will be a required meeting in the sanctuary after the first service (10:35) for all parents, children, and youth in our religious education programs.  The purpose of the meeting is to review and agree to the newly crafted covenant for parents and children at UUCP. The meeting will be brief. If you can not attend, please let Director Anne know. See you then.
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!
NEXT SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
December 21:  Faith is Showing Up:  Light One Candle
Service Leader  Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray 
Faith isn't something we think much about when all is going well. It's when things are falling apart, when we feel lost that we need faith. Perhaps this is why so many religious rituals, from Solstice, to Chanukah to Christmas speak of hope and faith.

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.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
5:30 PM  Family Service
Service Leaders: Susan Frederick-Gray and Anne Byrne


 
6:30 PM  Cookies and Cider Fellowship Hour
Please bring cookies to share


 
7:30 PM   Lessons and Carols Service
Service Leaders: Susan Frederick-Gray and Linda Lawrence
Spend your Christmas Eve with music, community and candlelight at UUCP. Both our services will be filled with the singing of carols and the lighting of candles. The early service includes a children's play and the later service will include the music of the congregational choir.  Everyone is invited to bring cookies and share in fellowship 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM.


 

*Child dedications will be offered at both services*
Featured Events

Outreach Music Ministry - Christmas Caroling

Saturday, December 13, at 1:00 PM (This event will take place rain or shine!)

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. 

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.

Traveling 2nd Fridays Returns!

Friday, January 9, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary

Our January 9 speaker is Igor Glenn. In August 2014, Igor Glenn played string bass and sang in concerts in 24 cities all across China as part of Doc Rolland's Americana String Ensemble. He will present visuals, narrate, answer questions, and perform as a troubadour songs from the tour. Curious about Traveling 2nd Fridays?  Come learn about other cultures and far-off lands as UUCP members and guests share their adventures in Tuscany, Rwanda, and other locations. Join us the second Friday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM in the Sanctuary.

  • January 9:  China-Igor Glenn 
  • February 13:  London-Nathan Greene             
  • March 13:  Tuscany-Joan Gale and Bill Snowden                    
  • April 10:  Extra Place in Manhattan-Harriet Williams 
  • May 8:  Rwanda-Nancy McCharen & Dave Bellama 
  • June 12:  Thailand-Barbara Cawthorne
Welcoming all in building religious community, called to 
share journeys,
grow in spirit,
advance justice.