The Church and Center are closed
from December 25 through December 30.
Rest and rejoice!
Let's Keep the X in Xmas and Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 24 at 11 am and 4:45 pm in the Sanctuary
services conducted by Rev. Gregory Stewart
I was struck when reading an article about the
coming holiday with a critical phrase about its
evolution from humble beginnings and simple gifts to
"the Disneyfication of Christianity." Whether we find
inspiration in the story of the babe from Bethlehem
or in the generosity of the human spirit (or both),
we needn't let anyone steal our joy at the close of
the year. I'm glad our church can offer at least two
services December 24 that seek to make meaning and
maintain the humor of Christmas Eve.
The 11 am service, "Let's
Keep X in Xmas," praises the
aspects of Christmas that bring the human family, in
the broadest sense, closer to one another. It is
good to set aside a particular time of year when we
express gratitude for the goodness that children and
families, friends and lovers, bring into our lives.
The 4:45 pm service, "A
Candlelight Festival of Lessons and
Carols," makes a nod to the many
pre-Christian holidays from which Christmas evolved,
and then tells the story of the birth of Jesus
through words and music. As darkness enters both
city and Sanctuary, our candle lights flicker in
expectation of a new day.
Are you having trouble choosing? Why not attend
both services and capture the spirit of Christmas in
true liberal religious fashion.
There are plenty of planned activities between the
two Christmas Eve celebrations to make even the
biggest Scrooge reconsider. Food, fun, games,
friends, music, and movies fill the afternoon and
will make your holidays happier.
Please come at 4 pm for coffee
and conversation before the family
candlelight service.
Celebrate Children and the Child in Each of Us
Special Sunday Schedule for Religious Education
from Natalie Freeburg, Acting Director of Religious
Education
Christmas Eve: it's a day to celebrate children and
the child in each of us!
The preschoolers will sing the Introit, "Jingle
Bells," for the 11 am service. Children and youth
will present a pageant and be the offertory ushers
and candle ushers for the 4:45 pm Candlelight
service. Branduin Stroud will be the Youth
Worship Associate for both services, and she will
participate more fully in the Candlelight
service.
There will be no Sunday School or infant care at
either service. The whole family is invited to join
our intergenerational celebrations!
The pictures accompanying this article show highlights
from the Religious Education's one-room
schoolhouse's exploration of "Music"! Last Sunday
about 60 people, ages 3 to 70, played instruments
from around the world, accompanying the Folk
Orchestra with songs ranging from "The Little
Drummer Boy" to Hanukkah classics.
The Hora was danced, shakers were made from eggs,
pill bottles, shells and popsicle sticks, and bells
were made with flower pots, keys, and glitter. The
preschoolers joined in, starting with the
sing-a-long Forum and ending with making jingle
bells to use when they perform at this week's service.
Christmas Eve Celebrations
Lunch and Caroling Around the Church on Sunday
from Nancy Evans, Interim Executive Director
A festive Christmas Eve lunch will be served in the
Starr King Room following the service. Thomas
Brown will provide a choice of soups and his
famous bread pudding for $5.
Added attractions will be caroling, board games in
the Fireside Room, and holiday movies at the UU
Cineplex. (Does anyone have a copy of "Cuckoo"?)
Whatever your favorite game or movie, bring it along.
Do you need an excuse to bake (or buy) Christmas
cookies? Here it is! Please bring a plate of
cookies or other finger food to share at our 4 pm
coffee hour - BEFORE the 4:45 Candlelight
service.
Faithful Fools Celebrate Solstice, Honor Homeless
Two Events this Evening (Thursday, December 21)
You are cordially invited to the Fools Court at 234
Hyde Street for the annual Winter Solstice
Celebration and Strong Medicine Show featuring the
Guild of the Danse Macabre.
Schedule for tonight's celebration is:
4:30 PM - Gathering For Mask-Making
6:30 PM – Procession & Burning Ritual
7:30 PM – Strong Medicine Show
9:00 PM – Closing
Tonight at 5:30 at Civic Center Plaza in front of
the San Francisco City Hall there will be a memorial
for all those who have died on the streets this past
year.
It is a time when each name is read and a bell is
rung as they are remembered.
CNN Spotlights DC Unitarian Universalists
Anderson Cooper Features All Souls Couple in Series on Christians
CNN's series on the diversity of people who call
themselves "Christian" included a segment focusing
on a couple who attend Washington, DC's All Souls,
Unitarian church.
The 4 1/2-minute story is available for viewing
online at You Tube. (The link to the clip is
working as The Flame goes to press. However,
videos on the You Tube site may be deleted without
notice if the copyright holder requests.)
Branduin Stroud Debuts
photo by Natalie
Freeburg
Branduin Stroud made her singer/songwriter
debut last Friday night at the Barefoot Coffee
Roasters in Santa Clara.
A family of about 20 Unitarian Universalist
youth and adults showed up to lend her their support.
Congratulations to Branduin!
