Today we will celebrate Solstice: the longest night. In ancient Germanic traditions, Yule celebrated the turning of the wheel of the seasons into winter. In the far north, some days the sun barely rises at all. So, Solstice rituals and celebrations were created as a way to honor the sun and call it home again. Come and give thanks for the fertile darkness and for the return of the light.

Please join us for a presentation about the Rejuvenation Community Day Center. Dianna Sullivan will be giving us an update about the latest renovations, and she'll let us know how we can help. Our regular meeting will follow.

December 15: Presence & Darkness (Exploring the Invitation of Winter Solstice)

In this session, we explore The Practice of Presence through the lens of the Winter Solstice. Winter is a time of dark and cold, and often the messages we receive from our culture and society is that the darkness brings threats. This session invites children to use the pagan tradition and understanding of solstice to see things differently. Instead of something to be afraid of, times of darkness can be seen as spaces of rest, renewal and even regbirth. And from this perspective, we are all called to take on the practice of looking for and being present to the many gifts hidden in and emerging from the darkness.

Soulful Home is an ongoing parent group meeting the third Sunday of each month following the service. Parents are invited to bring a sack lunch for themselves and for their child(ren). Children will remain up in the Matan Building for childcare while parents meet to build community and explore the Soulful Home resources. Soulful Home is a program through Soul Matters that supports families as they explore the sacred in everyday spaces by providing materials to help parents integrate Unitarian Universalism into everyday home life. 

Are you interested in spiritual exploration through creativity? Looking for a group to participate in at the Fellowship? Creativity Matters may be for you. Like a Chalice Circle, participants will gather monthly. At the start of each month,  participants will receive project-based packets built around the monthly theme. Each packet contains creative exercises for group members to work on prior to the meeting. Packets also contain inspirational material and reflection questions to get your creative juices flowing.  Unlike an artists group that explores technique and provides critiques, this group will gather together, similar to a Chalice Circle, for spiritual discernment. While artists are welcome, no experience or artistic skill is required.  Project options include such things as: collage, storytelling, scrapbooking, sketching, photography, creative writing, watercolor painting, fabric arts, sculpture, movement, music, and more. All projects are designed for everyone. At the monthly gathering group members will share their projects and insights that emerged from the exercise/project they picked.  If you are interested in participating please contact Melinda.

This is an all ages movie night. Pack a picnic dinner, blanket and pillows and join members of the Soulful Home parenting group for an indoor picnic, pajama wearing, film viewing event. This is an all ages event and because of this we will be starting early. You are invited to socialize and eat from 5:30 to 6:00. At 6:00 movie will begin 

December 22: No Rehearsal, All Ages,  Christmas Pageant 

Join us Sunday morning for a multigenerational worship service, our annual no rehearsal, all ages,  Christmas Pageant. What is a no rehearsal Christmas Pageant? Everyone will be together in the service as we celebrate the birth legend of Jesus. During the service people are invited to come forward to create a tableaux of manger animals, wise people, shepherds and angels. 

Come and affirm the mystery (and magic) of new beginnings: of light returning after Solstice, of new life being birthed in such an unlikely place as a manger. Let us rekindle courage and generosity, lighten our burdens, and renew our commitment to extend sanctuary and care within our web of relations.

This Christmas (Wednesday, December 25) we will have a 1:00 pm potluck, then start the film, The Lion in Winter, at 1:30 pm.  All to be done before the sun goes down!

In this session, we close our exploration of  The Practice of Presence by engaging the tradition of Hanukkah and its call to take up the practice of looking for hope in the midst of seeming hopeless.