A Unitarian Christmas

  Click here for YouTube Anyone who follows the UU Advent Calendar this season may already discovered, with surprise and delight, the unique contributions of Unitarians and Universalists to the celebration of Christmas. As UUs, we make an effort to respect and honor all the world's religious traditions, not merely the traditions we celebrate as individuals. During the 19th century, our Unitarian and Universalist forebears brought a non-conventional perspective to the celebration of Christmas. This morning the UU Singers and Choir Director Karen Kraemer usher us through "A Unitarian Christmas," with beautiful music, meaningful readings, and a delightful patina of history.   Special Music, UU Singers & Bell Ave Ringers

Waiting in Mystery

9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. We spend so much of our time waiting—waiting to grow up, waiting on the phone, waiting for people, waiting for test results, waiting for the birth of a baby or the death of ourselves. What if waiting were only about the time in between? What if it didn’t matter what you were waiting for, but rather what you did while you were waiting? What goes on in YOUR life while you are waiting? On this 2nd Sunday of Advent on the Christian calendar, join Rev. Ginger Luke in reflecting upon some of the universal ideas the Christmas story of waiting brings to our minds. Special Music, Bell Ave. Ringers - I Wonder As I Wander

Star of Wonder

Watch the YouTube video here   On this day before the beginning of Hannukah in the Jewish tradition (Dec. 3-10), and the first Sunday of Advent in the Christian tradition, we pause to contemplate the nature of miracles. Whether it's the birth of a baby, the Fibonacci numbers that predict the spiral shape of our galaxy, or the ever-renewable light made possible through solar technology, there are miracles (and mysteries) aplenty. Join in the spirit of free inquiry, curiosity, and wonder as Rev. Jennifer Brooks shines a little light on the mysteries and miracles of the season.

Remembering, Resisting, Resilient

  Watch the Video (You Tube link) November 20th marks the day when members of transgender communities worldwide honor and remember those who were killed due to anti-transgender violence. But for some it is also a day when we not only honor the spirit of remembrance, but those of resistance and resilience as well. As a spiritual community of memory, join us in remembering the victims of transphobic violence in the previous year, and also in turning our energy to the acts of resistance and resilience - looking not only to what has passed, but to what emerges around us. Special music

Stone Soup

Watch the You Tube video here The old story of Stone Soup tells of two weary travelers who arrive in a small village and unexpectedly bring a community together under the guise of making a delicious soup from stones.To make this story come to life, we're encouraging everyone who can to bring pre-cut veggies to add to the pot (from which volunteers will make a veggie soup for delivery to home-bound members), as well as non-perishable food to support our children with their food drive to benefit families in need in the Des Moines community. This participatory service will engage young and old alike in this important tale and also offer food to the hungry. Special music by the UU Singers - I See Colors by PinkZebra

Beyond Categorical Thinking

Watch the video (YouTube) UUA Transitions Director Keith Kron, who on Nov. 10 facilitated our "Beyond Categorical Thinking" workshop, is our special guest for this service. He will share observations from his experience overseeing the process of ministerial transitions in UU congregations for the past eight years, and in particular the way that assumptions about ministers and ministry sometimes cloud the way members think about a new settled minister. Following up on the learning from Saturday morning's workshop (9:00-noon), this service lifts up the invisible obstacles to calling the minister who is the best fit for the First Unitarian Church. Weaving a rich tapestry of music and spoken word, this worship celebration calls us to be our best selves. Special music by the UU Singers - Dawn by Bide and Barnum

We the People

9:15 & 11 am Celebrant: Martha Sherick Shen In this service, the first of the month when our theme is "Memory" and the Sunday before election day, we take time to remember the origins of our nation. There is a close connection between the development of our constitutional democracy and the engagement of Unitarians and Universalists in the public life after the American Revolution. The philosophy and principles underlying the US Constitution resonate with the later-developed UU principles, and it is no accident. Special music by the Bell Ave. Ringers - Ash Grove

The Sanctuary of Each Other: A Service of Remembrance

https://youtu.be/H9SHFflTGkE Life has its losses. This service for all ages remembers the loved ones who have passed away. As we honor their memories, and the ways they shaped our lives, we’re also reminded of the way that the sanctuary of one another gives us comfort in times of loss and grief. Your ministers encourage you to bring in a picture or object that represents someone special in your life, someone, whether a human person or an animal companion, whose memory you cherish. There is sanctuary here. Special music by the UU Singers

Justice Journey

9:15 & 11 am Celebrant: Kate Allen Immigration Justice and Sanctuary Team members reflect on how justice advocacy has impacted them. Special music by Sarah Chang and Scott Stilwell

Wayfaring Strangers

9:15 & 11 am Celebrant: Ben Spick The sanctuary of our beloved community holds us in love as we learn and grow, seek and serve, and discover the wonder and mystery of life. The experience of community can give its members a sense of belonging. But not everyone has this experience. Everyone longs for community, for that sense of belonging, for sanctuary, yet have experienced rejection and isolation for who they are. In this Sunday following October 11 National Coming Out Day, we consider how to extend a genuine welcome, and sanctuary, to people marginalized in our society because of gender or sexual orientation. Rev. Jennifer and Ben Spick, who co-lead this service, will each offer a reflection. Special music by Bell Ave Ringers