Light of the World

Watch the Video (YouTube link) This Christmas Eve service of carols and readings invokes not only the 2,000 year-old story of Christmas but also its message of hope for our world today. Come with open hearts; go with the spirit of Christmas.

The Story of Hope

5 pm Christmas Eve Service Celebrants: Kate Allen & Lyra Halsten This Christmas Eve service invites children, their families, and the young at heart into a celebration of the story of Christmas and its deeper message of hope. Children are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to choose a costume to be an angel, sheep, or shepherd in our no-rehearsal Christmas pageant. The offering collected during this service will support the Unitarian Universalist commitment to Black lives as a contribution to Black Lives UU. All are invited to bring a plate of cookies to share with others following the service. There is also a 7 pm Christmas Eve Service: "Light of the World"

Many Voices, One Song

Watch the Video (YouTube link) Nearly 500 years ago, the first Unitarians used the phrase "unity in diversity" to describe their openness to diverse spiritual paths within one faith tradition. In this service of songs and readings, we explore the diversity of world music connected with the Christian tradition and of world religious faiths connected with values of Christmas. In a diversity of music and faiths there lies a unity of hope and love. The UU Singers, directed by Choir Director Karen Kraemer, sing us through this journey of expectation and discovery. UU Singers; Bruce Martin, pianist.

Imagine

Watch the Video (YouTube link) The December religious holidays invite us to imagine a different way of being in the world–even a different world entirely. Whatever our theological viewpoint, we have the power to shape our expectations of ourselves and the meaning we make in our lives. So imagine.

The Second Turkey and Other Stories

Watch the YouTube video This service features tender, light-hearted stories about family Thanksgivings that didn't go exactly to plan. The tales invite us to cherish the love that has touched our lives, even if it didn't arrive in exactly the way we expected. May we be aware of the abundance that sometimes slips in through the crack under the door.

Stone Soup

Watch the Video (YouTube link) 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, as well as non-perishable food to support the children with their food drive. This participatory service will engage young and old alike in this important tale and also offer food to the hungry in our community. Special music by visiting musician Peter Mayer.

Abundance as a Spiritual Asset

Watch the video of the Reflection | Watch the video of the Sermon (YouTube links) Having a sense of financial abundance is about more than having the ability to buy plenty of things. Or is it? Depending on our income and class background, depending on our family's relationship to money, or on major events in our generation's lifetime, we will have different experiences that have shaped how we understand abundance, having enough and our definition of generosity. Reflection by Darin Jensen.

Time

Watch the Video (YouTube link) In this month when we explore the worship theme of "Abundance," it's worth wondering whether we ever have enough time. What is time? Can we make time slow down, or get more of it than we have? This service takes a thoughtful look at science’s current understanding of time, and offers philosophy’s wisdom for managing it, as we come to appreciate the lives that have shaped ours and the love that's there to guide our choices.