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My dear friends,
Because we are a Unitarian Universalist congregation, our respect for plurality is
reflected in the diversity of Holiday celebrations that are meaningful to us this time of year. In a given Sunday service, you are likely to be sharing space with folks who celebrate Hannakuh, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Nativity, the feast of St. Nicholas, Bodhi Day, and Chalica, to name just a few. |
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This year we will be celebrating a handful of holiday traditions, and we joyfully welcome you to join us: Sunday the 18th will be a Solstice-themed service. On the date of the actual Solstice, Wednesday the 21st, we will have a traditional Solstice service. Our Christmas Eve service will be at 5 pm on Saturday the 24th. Additionally, on Sundays in December we will be lighting the candles of a traditional Advent wreath, blessing it with prayers from different traditions.
Our own UU holiday, Chalica, begins on Monday the 6th; many of us will be celebrating our beloved 7 Principles during the 7 nights of Chalica.
As an early holiday gift, click here to access a printable UU Advent calendar!
And as always, I invite you to contact me at minister@uucv.net just to chat about
anything at all. I look forward to connecting with you in person, online, or via phone!
We at UUCV are thrilled to celebrate in so many ways with you!
With so much love,
Rev. Meg |
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The Worship theme for December is Tending Toward Growth
December 4 – “We Are Not Broken” Have you ever heard of Spoon Theory? All are welcome as we celebrate invisible disabilities and neurodiversity in this multigenerational service. No need to bring your own spoon - spoons will be provided! Rev. Meg Mathieson leads the service with worship associate Max Donnelly.
December 11 – “Why Grow?” This Outreach Sunday, we look into the real reasons to grow a church. At its height, the Otterbein Methodist Church, the previous owners of our building had over 400 members! How did they all fit in the building for worship? Join us as we explore the strange idea of Unitarian evangelization! Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associate Dan Cozort.
December 18 - "Here Comes the Sun" Merry Meet! As we walk into the darkest part of the year together, the sun already begins her glorious return. All are welcome to participate in a traditional Solstice/Yule celebration, including setting intentions and enjoying sun cookies! God jul! Rev. Meg Mathieson preaches with worship associates from the Wheel of the Year Small Group.
December 24 – “The Star” All are welcome as we celebrate our traditional annual Christmas Eve service. We will sing carols and light candles as we reflect on "The Star," an ancient religious symbol in the Nativity story. Be sure to bring the spark of the divine within your own heart as we honor the etherial magic of the holiday season. Rev. Meg Mathieson leads the service with worship associate Cheryl Parsons.
December 25 – Happy Holidays! No Services Today
Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685 |
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January 1, 2023 service will be on our worship ZOOM channel only at 10:30 am. Join Rev. Meg for a "Fireside Service". Join us for a live zoom-only service, as we celebrate the New Year from our cozy homes!
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Hygge, the Danish spirit of "comfortable conviviality" is the spirit of our intention-setting for the New Year. Snuggle under a blanket, bring your hot chocolate (with marshmallows!) and join our "Fireside Service" from the comfort of your couch.
Services will resume in our Sanctuary and ZOOM on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 am.
Have a glorious Holiday Season!
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UUCV Social Justice Committee is collecting NEW mittens, gloves, socks, hats and scarves for all ages to donate to CARES.
Please place items on the Mitten Tree in the sanctuary or give to a member of the committee by Sunday, December 25.
We will deliver them to the CARES Resource Center the following week.
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Unitarian Universalists welcome babies, toddlers and children into the congregation through a Dedication ceremony.
On Sunday Dec 11, we will hold this ceremony during our Sunday service, allowing our congregation to dedicate itself to the well-being of all children being dedicated. This is an opportunity for children to dedicate themselves to a life of righteousness and compassion.
All are welcome, regardless of membership status in the church.
Please contact Rev. Meg at minister@uucv.org or Pam at office@uucv.net if you are interested or would like more information.
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Church Closings for December
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UUCV will be closed for Christmas Holiday from Friday, December 23 and will re-open Tuesday, January 3.
With Christmas and New Year’s falling on a Sunday this year, there will be no church service on Sunday, December 25.
Church service on Sunday, January 1 will be by ZOOM only
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We will have our traditional candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 5:00PM on Saturday, December 24.
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Rethinking How to "Do" an Auction!
As you all know, the auction was postponed until a future date. We are currently looking into updating our auction fundraiser by reorganizing things. Anyone interested in a conversation about re-thinking how to "do" an auction is invited to a meeting at noon on December 10th in the Board Room, facilitated by Rev. Meg. This is an exciting opportunity to come with ideas and think big!
An example of the changes to our usual format will be our new monthly event auctions: Beginning in December, there will be a sign-up in the social hall for an event to be held later in the year. Our first will be an event that Char Klien is hosting in mid-January. Hers will be the featured auction item from December 1 to December 31 (see details below) Winners will be notified on the first of the following month and payment is due by the 10th of that month. You can mail a check or just place it in the collection basket as it is passed on Sunday morning. Please note on your check that it is for the auction.
If there are more names than available slots, a drawing will be held for the winners as we have always done. If you noted that two of you are attending, you will not be split up.
Those of you doing Zoom church can still participate as well. Watch your Zoom announcements on Sunday mornings. To place your name on the zoom sign up, or with questions about the upcoming event, email Cathy at UUCVauction@outlook.com.
Be sure to mark your calendars because we will be holding a live event Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Any questions about the Dec 10 meeting should be sent to Rev. Meg at minister@uucv.net.
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1st Monthly Auction Sign-up - Totem Animal Necklaces
Using polymer clay, we will create a totem animal to use as a pendant. We will then finish the necklaces (or wall hanging if preferred), using a variety of natural and human made beads.
Location: Char Klein’s home at 1624 Walnut St in Carlisle.
When: Saturday, January 14, 2023
Time: 9:30 – 12:00
Openings: 8 adults and children over 10 years of age.
In case of cancellation: The event will move to Saturday, January 21.
Cost: $15.00 per person
This is being donated by Char Klein. If you have questions, please feel free to ask her.
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How do I get my name on this event? The sign-up sheet for this event is on the auction table by the stage in the social hall. No bid number is necessary. Just write your name and how many will be attending.
How do I pay? Payments must be submitted by January 10, 2023. You can put a check in the collection basket or mail it to the church. Please make sure to include on the memo line that it is for the auction.
What if too many sign up? A drawing will be held from all that were submitted. The winners will then be notified. We will use only the person whose name is submitted, so as not to split anyone up.
When do I have to put my name in by? This auction will run from December 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.
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December Social Justice Opportunities |
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Programs under the umbrella of the Social Justice Committee include the monthly CARES dinner, Change for the World (CFTW), the Mozambique Bursary project and the UUCV Antiracism Initiative. Another component this year has been assisting an Afghan family as they transition to America from war-torn Afghanistan. Other events we regularly participate in include Project Share’s Farm Stand, the annual Pride Festival in Harrisburg, National Public Lands Day, and United Way’s One Day of Caring. We anchor our efforts around UUCV’s mission to transform lives and care for the world. Thank you to all who serve on the committee and for outside support we receive from many others in the congregation.
All are welcome to our meetings. |
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Change for the World
4th Quarter October - December |
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Moving Circles is a non-partisan local community group that networks/builds bridges for social change. Since 2016 it has met monthly (currently via ZOOM) for an on-going conversation, building trust over time, talking about racial and social justice issues and experiences. Concretely, it has hosted bystander intervention trainings and sent out alerts for vigils, marches, demonstrations, Borough Hall meetings, community unity events, festivals, … And it shares articles, videos, online links, books, films, and other resources. See Moving Circles Several separate action-oriented organizations have spun off including
Not In Our Town
and
the
Greater Carlisle Community Responders Network e.g. 4/6/21 “Carlisle Walks 4 Asians”. All work is volunteer. Moving Circles recently got 501(c)3 status so it can pay for e.g. ZOOM access, printing, postage, and website design and upkeep.
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Mitten Tree
UUCV Social Justice Committee is collecting NEW mittens, gloves, socks, hats and scarves for all ages to donate to CARES. Please place items on the Mitten Tree in the sanctuary or give to a member of the committee by Sunday, December 25. We will deliver them to the CARES Resource Center the following week.
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The 8th Principle
“Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” www.8thprincipleuu.org
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FYI - The first section of this article deals with results of the 8th Principle Survey. The second section provides information about the UUA Article II Study Commission Draft of the proposed revisions to the Principles and Purposes.
8th Principle Survey
Thank you to the 72 people who responded to the 8th Principle survey. The time, thought, and care you put into responding is much appreciated. Your responses have been both some of what was expected and some a little on the surprising side. Here is a brief summary of what the survey revealed.
There were 5 questions that asked for a rating response of strongly agree - agree - neutral - disagree - strongly disagree. The percentages in each category after each question are given in this order.
1. The majority of UUCV understands that racism is a barrier to effective diversity and inclusion in ourselves and our institutions. 44.4%, 47.2%, 5.6%, 2.8%, 0%
2. The majority of our members believe UUCV should have a strong commitment to working on dismantling racism and eliminating unfair white advantage. 48.6%, 38.9%, 11.1%, 1.4%, 0%
3. I believe our congregation can be transformed by adopting the 8th Principle. 16.7%, 33.3%, 40.3%, 5.6%, 4.2%
4. I understand the potential ramifications of the 8th principle. 18.6%, 40%, 27.1%, 11.4%, 2.9%
5. I would vote to adopt the 8th principle today. 43.7%, 39.4%, 11.3%, 1.4%, 4.2%
Questions 1 (91.6%), 2 (87.5%), and 5 (83.1%) demonstrate a clear majority of strongly agree and agree responses. Questions 3 (50%) and 4 (58.6%) reveal a less strong majority of support. Questions 3 and 4 deal with how adopting the 8th Principle would impact the congregation. There is expressed uncertainty around what it might mean to be transformed, what changes this might bring to our congregation, and what might be expected from each us. Our efforts to date have been more focused on adopting the 8th Principle. With a clear majority in favor of doing so, we can begin to turn our attention to exploring what this might require of us, how this might transform us individually and as a congregation, and what the ramifications might be to us as individuals and as a congregation.
Questions 6 and 7 were open field, and asked for anonymous thoughts and opinions. Question 6 asked, If you are not likely to support adopting the 8th Principle at this time, what is your reasoning? The majority of responses were related to not liking or approving of the wording, and the belief that the concepts of the 8th Principle were already included in the existing 7 Principles. These objections have been clearly acknowledged by Rev Meg and the AntiRacism Initiative on many occasions. The authors of the 8th Principle who are leading the grassroots effort for individual congregational adoption of the 8th Principle have specifically requested that we not word smith the Principle as it will be under review for revision by the UUA. Something that distinguishes the 8th Principle from the other 7 Principles is holding ourselves accountable to actively engage in dismantling racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Question 7 asked, Is there anything else you want to share with the Antiracism Task Force? This yielded 26 responses of a wide variety and length. Trying to address all of them in this format would be difficult and unwieldy. Copies of the survey are available on the 8th Principle table in the Social Hall for you to review.
IMPORTANT: Article II Study Commission Releases Draft
Over the course of UUCV’s process of moving toward adoption of the 8th Principle, you have heard many times that the UUA is actively involved in revising Article II Principles and Purposes C.2.1 - C.2.4 section of the UUA Bylaws. This section contains the current 7 Principles and 6 Sources along with other sections entitled Purposes, Inclusion, and Freedom of Belief. Taken directly from the UUA Charge to The Article II Study Commission, “The Commission is charged with reviewing all sections of Article II, and is free to revise, replace, or restructure them as needed to meet the objectives stated above.” In November the Article II Study Commission released its first draft of proposed revisions. Feedback and comments can be made on the first draft via an online Google Doc that is open until November 28. The plan is that there will be a second draft released in December containing revisions based on feedback received. Then there will be a period for review and reflection on the second draft along with the opportunity to provide feedback prior to the Study Commission creating a final draft that will be presented to the UUA Board in January.
To access information about the Article II Study Commission, the proposed first draft revising the Principles and Purposes, and the Google Doc feedback form go to www.uua.org and type “article ii” in the search bar and then scroll down to “article ii study commission”. On the opening page in the second section titled “Article II Outreach Team”. there is a link to the full draft of Article II and a link to an online Google Doc feedback form Also on the left side of the page you will find links to additional information about Article II including the Charge to the Study Commission.
This proposed revision is a significant and comprehensive rewrite that changes the format of our Principles and Sources. You are being given the opportunity to express your opinions and make suggestions to the Article II Commission, and you are strongly encouraged to do so. Once a final draft is presented to the UUA Board it will need to be approved at General Assembly in 2023 and 2024 before it becomes official.
As this revision of Article II is by no means a done deal, the grassroots effort to adopt the 8th Principle will continue and UUCV will proceed as planned with a vote to adopt the 8th Principle on January 15, 2023.
Please become familiar with this draft of proposed revisions of the 7 Principles and 6 Sources. It directly impacts our statement of faith as a UU community. If you have questions or concerns please contact Rev Meg at minister@uucv.net or Wendy Gebb at wendywinter@comcast.net
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Domestic Violence
We are looking for volunteer groups to provide lunch to our shelter residents on Tuesdays beginning in January 2023. Groups should plan to serve 10 adults unless otherwise notified by coordinator and the meal should be ready by 11:15 a.m. Volunteers can have access to our full kitchen to prep and cook their meal on site if needed.
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CARES MEAL
The DecemberCARES meal will be provided by our members on Sunday,
December 18.
We will provide a Holiday Dinner for 30-35 persons.
Email Pam if you are able to donate any of the items still needed, or you can mail a check in marked CARES and we will purchase what is still needed for the meal.
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Sliced Baked Ham - approximately 8-10 pounds
Sides - 2 Sweet Potato casseroles
- 1 Potato Casseroles ( Scalloped or Hashbrown )
- 2 Large containers of Steamed Green Vegetables
Salads - 2 holiday salads - 1 fruit salad
Rolls & Butter - 4 dozen Rolls and 1 pound of butter
Desserts - 3 Large plates or boxes of assorted Holiday cookies
Drinks - Coffee, Tea Bags, Creamer, Sugar and 3 boxes of Hot Cocoa mix
Thank you to each of you who help to provide parts of a warm, nourishing
Dinner for those in need who turn to CARES for food and more.
Please remember to check the Needs list on the CARES website. If you can donate any additional items on their list, we will deliver those items also on December 18. Please bring them to church by December 18.
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News from the UUCV Mozambieuq Bursary Committee
Give the gift of education this year. UUCV’s Mozambique Bursary Project, a social justice project that has been active since 2005, has enabled hundreds of young Mozambique girls to enjoy a secondary school education. With the new school year starting in early 2023, we seek your support for the life-changing educational opportunities the Project provides. The girls we support could not afford a secondary education on their own, as they live in one of the poorest nations in the world. Your tax-deductible donations enable rural village girls to attend a regional school too distant from their homes for a daily commute. A $350 donation enables one girl to attend school for an entire year.
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This year the Bursary Committee is dedicating its fund-raising efforts in honor of Priscilla Laws, the Project’s founder. We have placed a box to collect personal notes to Priscilla on the Bursary Committee’s table in the Common Room. Feel free to tell Priscilla what the Bursary Project means to you, to UUCV, what it means that Priscilla began it, and/or any other thoughts you may have. All the notes in the box by Sun Dec. 11 OR arriving by mail to UUCV by Mon. Dec. 12 will be mailed to Priscilla to open on Christmas Day. Any notes arriving after Dec. 12 will be sent in January.
The Mozambique Bursary Committee is always looking for new members. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact one of the following: Martha Bergsten, Dianne Dusman, Deb Genet, Brian McPherson, or Susan Rimby.
Susan Rimby for the UUCV Mozambique Bursary Committee
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Family Choir Come Back for Christmas Eve
This year will bring the return of UUCV's Family Choir! If you and your family are interested in participating in this seasonal musical offering, all you need to do is attend one of the following rehearsals:
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- December 11th from 11:30-12:30 (Sanctuary)
- December 22nd from 6:00-7:00 (Sanctuary)
- December 24th from 2:00-3:00 (Sanctuary)
No formal musical training needed! All that's required is eagerness to lift up your voice during UUCV's Christmas Eve service.
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Wild Women Project!
Friends, I have some exciting news to share - but there’s a little context needed first. Indulge me for a moment, if you will.
In 2018, I stumbled across an organization called The Wild Woman Project. I’d never heard of them before, but something told me I needed to attend their summer retreat. It was 5 hours away, nobody I knew was going, and I didn’t have the money, but with GPS and a scholarship, I set off. It was like coming home to a place I didn’t know I’d left. For the first time in my life, I didn’t have the loudest laugh in the group! I didn’t feel like “too much”, I felt held and seen on a soul level, and I was amazed to know that such a vivid group of women existed. My time with them has changed me, and continues to shape me each year. If you haven’t heard me talk about how much I adore The Wild Woman Project, let’s hang out sometime :)
The Wild Woman Project was founded in 2011, and they don’t claim to have “the answers”, or know “the way”. Rather, they offer spaces where those who identify as women can slow down and connect with their own inner guidance with an eye towards the greater good of all beings. Being present in these spaces is an incredible experience, but I’d dismissed the idea of going through the training myself to become a circle facilitator. After all, I’m not far enough on a spiritual path to offer anyone else guidance, I’m not “evolved” or “enlightened”! But at our retreat this past summer, I knew it was time to stop fearing what I’m capable of. My ego didn’t agree - I came up with all the usual reasons why I’m not enough, or why life’s too busy - but my soul wasn’t hearing excuses, and I signed up for the training. Which brings me to my exciting news!
Starting in January, I will be offering The Wild Woman Project’s New Moon Circles at UUCV. These monthly circles will offer guided meditation experiences, intention setting rituals, embodied engagement, light vegetarian refreshments, and deep connection with a sisterhood I’m proud to be part of. We’ll laugh, cry, play, heal, howl, eat, and hold space for one another as we explore a monthly theme, and we’ll take the time to invest in ourselves in a powerful way. If you’ll be joining us, you are encouraged to bring a journal, a cushion to sit on, and whatever you need to be comfortable during the meditations - yoga mats, blankets, etc. Chairs will be provided, but if a folding chair won’t feel great for an extended period, please bring what you need! What will these circles cost attendees? Nothing. The Wild Woman Project fiercely believes in removing financial barriers to access, and they offer scholarships for everything they do. In that spirit, I will never require a financial contribution from those who want to attend. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll gratefully accept love offerings if someone is willing and able to make them! But they are never mandatory.
On Saturday, January 21st, we will kick off this journey by exploring what it means to Sustain our lives. Come reconnect with what it means to rest, and consider how boundaries can help you protect your precious resources. I look forward to co-creating this experience with you, and can’t wait to get started! Keep an eye out for future themes, and feel free to bring a friend. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at riles1806@gmail.com, or catch me in the Social Hall after Sunday services. See you in the Circle!
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January 21st - Sustain
Showing up for your life takes a lot of effort, but you can’t pour from an empty cup! Come reconnect with what it means to rest, and explore the ways we can use boundaries to protect our precious energy.
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February 18th - Heal
Healing is a messy process, but our scars tell our story. Come explore the medicine in our wounds, and consider what it means to offer our wisdom as a balm for the world.
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March 18th - Surrender
Control is an illusion, but that doesn’t stop us from trying our best to grasp it! Come play with the idea of letting go, and remember what it means to honor the soul’s timing.
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April 15th - Tend
We all burn with the fire of purpose, but sometimes our flames grow dim and we may fear they’ve gone out completely. Come connect with what it means to tend your heart, and to be rekindled.
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May 20th - Reveal
If all the world’s a stage, when are we acting? When are we ourselves? Come explore the masks we wear, and what it means to put them on with intent.
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June 17th - Radiate
Passion and play are our birthrights, but we’re often told we’re too much, or not enough. Come take up space and rediscover joy!
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July 15th - Love
Love, love, love. It’s not just a thing we feel for a romantic partner, it’s a promise we make and a way we move in the world. Come explore what it means to perceive with love, and to connect with your pack.
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August 12th - Embody
Echoing Brene Brown, we’re not thinking beings who occasionally feel - we’re feeling beings who occasionally think. Come reclaim sensuality, and explore what it means to be in your body.
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September 16th - Empower
How much of our time is spent worrying about appearances, or comparing our lives to others? What would it look like to say yes to the things that make you happy instead of wading through the sea of “should”? Come as you are, as YOU want you to be.
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October 14th - Pray
Prayer is something we all do all the time, but why? Whether it’s something we do in gratitude, or when we’re in need, it’s part of our unique human experience. Come lean into authenticity and reverence. |
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November 11th - Spark
When’s the last time something sparked your curiosity? Come remember how it feels to see the world with childlike wonder, and to remember why it’s so important to get excited about something new.
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December 9th - Align
As above, so below. As within, so without. How do we know where to reach, and when? Come explore discernment, balance, and alignment.
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We have Nursery Volunteers scheduled for all December Sundays! Parents can sign their children younger than 5 in before Service and retrieve them by 11:45.
Thank you Lynn, Ryanne, and Kim for spending time with our smallest congregants! If you would like to volunteer to spend time, add your name to a Sign Up Genius Slot. |
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December 4th will be a Multigenerational Service and children are invited to participate with their parents in the Sanctuary. There are Busy Bags available in the Annex for wiggly kids who require more stimulation.
December 11th is Child Dedication Sunday! If you would like your child to participate in the Dedication, please contact Pam. Children will be going downstairs to their classrooms after Moment for All Ages.
Children in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will be in the Spirit Play room to work with the Spirit Play curriculum. The Storyteller on December 11th will be Jen Hricik and the doorkeeper will be Mellissa Matson.
Children in Grades 4 through 6 are considered Middles and will be working with the Tapestry of Faith curriculum in the Boardroom with PrimaJoy Ramalingam. During November and December, the kids are working on a no-sew blanket while they discuss the principles. The blanket will join 5000 others for the National Homeless Person's Memorial Day installation on December 21st and then donated to a person in need.
Kids in Grade 7 and up are welcome to join Rev. Chris Kapp in the Youuth room. Rev. Chris has worked with the kids to develop their own curriculum, with this month's Aspirational discussion theme being Understanding Our Bodies and Minds.
December 18th will be an All Ages Activity in the Dining Hall centered on Winter Holidays around The World.
December 25th - no Service this Sunday. Join us December 24th in the Sanctuary for our Christmas Eve Service at 5PM!
**Please sign your Nursery, Spirit Play, and Middles Children out of their classrooms by 11:45.** This gives parents the opportunity to socialize before pickup, while respecting the Volunteer Teachers' time as well.
Thank you to all our November volunteers! PrimaJoy Ramaligam, Rev. Chris Kapp, Jen Hricik, Rebecca Fratutuano, Melissa Matson, Lynn Michels, Kristen Wycha, Gail Black, Amy-jo Humpton, Ryanne Mack, Courtney Wiley, Dirk Wiley, Steve Holsinger, and Mrs. Candice Holsinger; Thank you so much for your time and energy! Members of the Congregation are encouraged to volunteer with the Children's RE Program! Please email Candice Holsinger at candice.holsinger@gmail.com to check in about submitting clearances or visit our Sign Up Genius Page to see the list of Clearances and Sign Up.
OWL News
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Adult RE Discussion Group
Adult Fall RE will begin on Sunday, September 11. The group is open to all over 18 and meets in the Board Room (downstairs) at 9:00 am. You can also participate by ZOOM https://zoom.us/my/meetingsuucv
Contact Keith Bittinger with any questions kbittinger@comcast.net
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December 4: Mormonism - In this class we will look at the origins, beliefs, and rituals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church. Discussion leader: Courtney Wiley
December 18: Powwow - What exactly is it and does it work? - Powwow, also called Brauche or Brauchereiin Deitsch, is a vernacular system of North American traditional medicine and folk magic originating in the culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Blending aspects of folk religion with healing charms, "powwowing" includes a wide range of healing rituals used primarily for treating ailments in humans and livestock, as well as securing physical and spiritual protection, and good luck in everyday affairs. Discussion leader: Cathy Dewalt. |
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Coming Up in December....
Mark your calendars...lots to do in December at UUCV |
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- Holy Grounds - December 7 at Cafe 101 from 12 noon - 2:00. Rev. Meg will have a table reserved...come and talk with her!
- Healing Support Group - Wednesday nights at 7:00pm on December 7 in the Sanctuary
- Child Dedication - December 11 in the Sanctuary
- Cookie Orders Due - December 11....place your orders for Holiday Cookies
- Pot Luck & BYOB - December 11...Bring your favorite dish to share and BYOB of your choice to the Dining Room following worship.
- Red Cross Blood Drive - UUCV hosting the Blood Drive in the Social Hall. Contact Pam to volunteer or stop by and donate blood!
- Christmas Eve Service - Join us at 5:00 PM in the Sanctuary or on ZOOM for our traditional Candlelighting service and cookies and cocoa following the service.
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Pot Luck and BYOB - Sunday, December 11 |
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Come renew community and friendships on Sunday, December 11 following worship in the dining room.
Bring your favorite dish to share and BYOB as desired. Coffee and Tea will be provided.
All are welcome -- and bring a friend!!
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Mark your Calendars - December 21 |
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We will be hosting a blood drive at UUCV for the Amercian Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 21 from 10a - 6p.
How can you help??
- Volunteer to help set-up tables and chairs to the layout the Red Cross specifies
- Volunteer to help coordinate between UUCV and the Red Cross during the drive
- Volunteer to close up the church at the end of the drive
- Sign up or stop in to donate blood
If you are able to volunteer, please contact Pam pam@uucv.net |
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MANY THANKS to
UUCV’s 2022 Mowing Team
UUCV’s all-volunteer lawn mowing team does more than keep our lawn trimmed and looking beautiful. They also have a positive impact on our budget. The ten members gave of their time to mow a total of 32 times this year. Total cost savings is estimated to be over $3200, at least
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THANK YOU to: Keith Bittinger, Tom DeWall, Rick Heckman, Jennifer Hricak, Max Lara, Dave and Janet Mooney, Dennis Schad, Dirk Wiley, and Michael Wycha.
Please join our team next year! You will help UUCV and your health because each time you mow you walk a 5K (3.1 miles).
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Memorial Blanket
National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day is held every year on December 21, the longest night of the year, to remember those who have tragically died while experiencing homelessness, often decades before their time.
How can we help?
UUCV has received a large donation of fabric, some of which is already cut into convenient squares, to use for this project. What we need are people to help sew this material into simple blankets. These blankets will not only be used as part of the memorial installation, but will also be gifted to a person in need of both physical warmth and a reminder of their inherent worth and dignity.
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This is a perfect outreach opportunity! Know some friends who sew – even if they’re not part of UUCV? Bring them to the downstairs dining room to make a blanket or three! We have the space. We have the tables. You have the talent and the friends. Girl scouts need a project? Sew Blankets! Retired friends looking for something to do? Make a blanket! Homeschool group need a creative math and art class? We have a curriculum for that! [seriously, we have a set of homeschool lesson plans that have been used all over the country] If you have a sewing machine or can sew by hand, you can be part of this project. There will also be a sewing machine available in the downstairs dining room for those who want to help but have no machine of their own
And if you’d like to take some material home to sew, great! Just see or email Chris Kapp and they’ll get you set up with a stack of fabric. You can also join Chris on Sundays after worship to work on blankets after coffee hour. Bring a lunch and keep each other company while making a blanket that could help change a life.
More information about the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project can be found at www.memorialblanket.org
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Grocery Card Sellers Needed!
Want to meet more UUCVers? Make new friends? Come and be part of our grocery card team.
Sell grocery cards with us before and after services on Sundays. You would be selling cards 1-2 times every month or two. We'll help you learn the ropes. It's lots of fun. 😉
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Stop by the grocery Card table after service on Sundays for more information or contact
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UUCV Fundraising Opportunities
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December Grocery Needs
Holiday Gatherings, Holiday Parties, and Holiday Dinners....all require food and drinks!
It's not as cute as a puppy for Christmas but who doesn't like a grocery card as a special gift to say Thank You or as a stocking stuffer!
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If you plan to give any grocery gift cards to your loved ones this holiday season, do it soon! We will not be selling any cards on Sunday,12/25 (no church) and/or Sunday, 1/1/23 (church only on Zoom). You can still buy gift cards at the office during the week, until Thursday, December 22 when the office will be closed for the holidays. Email orders will still be honored through the holidays, so email Pam with your order and we will mail cards out to you. You can mail your check back to UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007.
Buy cards on Sundays, before and after worship, stop in at the church office during the week Monday - Friday 8:30 - 1:30 and 3:00 on Wednesdays, or mail a check and we'll mail your cards back to you. UUCV, PO Box 207, Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Mark the type of card you want in the memo line of your check.
And...you can use the cards to purchase your groceries online!
And more sellers are needed….Want to meet more UUCVers? Make new friends? Come and be part of our grocery card team. Sell grocery cards with us before and after services on Sundays. You would be selling cards 1-2 times every month or two. We'll help you learn the ropes. It's lots of fun. 😉
Stop by the grocery Card table after service on Sundays or contact
Rebecca Fratantuonoa rebeccafratantuono@gmail.com
Marjorie Aiken at gardnsprings69@yahoo.com
Dee Lauderbaugh at tevy3@hotmail.com |
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UUCV is partnering with RaiseRight for Gift card fundraising, the #1 fundraiser for nonprofit organizations across the U.S. for more than 25 years. Earn simply by buying gift cards to use for everyday purchases, instead of cash or credit cards.
With RaiseRight, nonprofits and other community-based organizations earn money simply by shopping for their favorite brands—turning daily or weekly purchases into the opportunities that matter for their favorite organizations.
How to Get Started:
Visit http://uucv.info/raiseright to Sign Up from your computer
Set up your banking or credit card preference.
You can then shop anytime by visiting https://www.raiseright.com/brands and see the daily bonuses and specials which will earn more money for UUCV. Check the % for each card to see what your donation will be to UUCV….with a very minimal fee to you.
How to Pay:
When you are done selecting your cards, check out at your shopping cart. You can pay by your own Credit Card (getting points on your card) or LINK to your bank account
How you Receive your Cards:
- You can choose ecards (which will show up in your wallet on your APP or in your wallet on the main website http://www.raiseright/shop
- You can choose to receive the actual card be sent to your home address
- DO NOT select your card to be sent to the Coordinator….any cards sent to the coordinator will be cancelled and your sale will be VOID
Contact Pam pam@uucv.net if you need help in getting set up or if you have questions about this program.
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https://smile.amazon.com/
Do you shop on Amazon? Go instead to https://smile.amazon.com/
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support UUCV every time you shop, at no cost to you. Select The Unitarian Universalist of the Cumberland Valley as your charitable organization and everytime you make a purchase Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to UUCV. Same great producs, same prices as Amazon, but https://smile.amazon.com/ makes money for UUCV. |
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