Join us this Sunday at 9:30 and 11:15 am as we welcome to the pulpit Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Peter Morales with his sermon, "Love Reaches Out." UU's have a proud history of public witness. Our bright yellow "Standing on the Side of Love" t-shirts are found at demonstrations for social justice. But love doesn't just take a stand. Love reaches out. Can we learn to be as passionate and effective at reaching out as we are about standing for justice?  

UUCA is thrilled and honored to have Rev. Morales with us. All members and friends are invited to attend a special reception for Rev. Morales at UUCA immediately following the second service on Sunday.

Rev. Morales, the first Latino president of the UUA, was elected on a platform of growth and multiculturalism. Public witness is central to his presidency; he is especially passionate about immigration reform and environmental justice.   To learn more about Rev. Morales, read his biography here.

On Dec. 8, the Roswell and Tucker chapters of Dining for Women (DFW) will host a combined meeting of all North Georgia chapters of DFW. The dinner will be held in the UUCA Social Hall at 5 pm and will benefit Smiles on Wings-Thailand, a group focused on enabling long term health services by mentoring and educating young Karen refugee women in a remote Thai village. In addition, DFW founder Marsha Wallace will be in attendance to update attendees on the current and future state of the organization. UUCA chapters will present a check to Mrs. Wallace representing a Give Away the Plate donation and funds raised at 2013 Wonderful Wednesday dinners. All UUCA women are invited to attend and participate in this important work for social and economic justice, human rights, and sustainable environments in the developing world. Contact Mary Crawley or Emilu Bailes for information.

Our annual Moravian Love Feast, a joyous holiday service of spectacular music, readings and sharing of fellowship, food and drink, is scheduled for Friday evening, Dec.13, at 7:30 pm. This has been a UUCA tradition for more than 50 years.  This year's special music will feature, as always, a very special Brass ensemble, along with our Phoenix Choir singing the beloved "O Holy Night." Reserve tickets at the Moravian ticket sales table in the Social Hall on Sundays, or call the UUCA office at 404-634-5134 during regular business hours. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for senior adults, $5 for children under 18, and $25 maximum per family. Childcare is available if reserved on week in advance at uuca.org/childcare.

As Rev. Makar wrote about in the December Newsletter, the Pastoral Care Coordinator position, in which Rev. Tessie Mandeville has so skillfully served for over a year, has regrettably been eliminated.  Please join us during services on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 and 11:15 am as we say farewell to Rev. Mandeville and celebrate her ministry among us.  We will have a closing ritual during services and a reception following.

The Men's Fellowship meets every third Tuesday at UUCA from 7 to 9 pm, this month on Dec. 17.  After check-in, a prepared topic is introduced by one of the UUCA men, followed by personal and group exploration, sharing, reflection, and discussion.  Contact Sven Lovegren at solovegren@yahoo.com for more information.  All are welcome.

The second annual Wonderful Wednesday Chili Cookoff will be held at 6 pm on Dec. 18.  The congregation seeks its best chili cookers and lots of chili eaters to participate in this fun event. Chili entered into the cook-off will be judged by the celebrity panel of Senior Minister Rev. Anthony Makar, and Director of Music  Donald Milton III. A "People's Choice" winner will also be named and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Those interested in competing should send their name and the name of their chili (get creative!) to Kelly Schwartz at kschwartz@uuca.org no later than Dec.11. Or call Kelly at 404-634-5134. Cookers should prepare 10-12 servings of chili each, and bring their chili in its own crock pot or warming dish. All types and varieties of chili are welcomed and encouraged. Chili cookers will need to arrive at UUCA by 5:30 pm on Dec. 18. Only 8 spots remain!

Sponsored by UUCA's Peace Network, the monthly Third Thursday Cinema will be held Dec. 19 at 7 pm in Room 210. This month's film is Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? In 1971, a secret memo was written by future Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell that outlined a plan to make government more corporate friendly. Believing that business had lost ground during preceding decades, Powell called for a takeover by gaining corporate control of media, academia, the pulpit, the arts, and the judiciary, while at the same time, working to destroy organized labor and consumer protections. Now this has been realized, but what has happened to everyone else?  Heist illustrates this greatest of all wealth transfers, and provides a path to restoring democracy. A $3 donation is suggested for the evening, which includes refreshments and a moderated discussion.