Dec 5 | Linda Kuller | Amanda | "When Religion Tears Families Apart" A most regrettable aspect of our extraordinary freedom and variety of religious choices in the United States is those sad occasions when religion is the cause of conflict and bitterness within families. I have a few stories to tell and I would very much appreciate hearing yours as well. If you have personal experience of this issue, please contact me at least a week ahead so I can incorporate your story (anonymously, if you like) into this service. | 1008 When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place
1011 Return Again
1057 Go Lifted Up | Hanukkah starts Dec. 2 First-Sunday Children's Chalice Lighting: kids start with adults in sanctuary. Before service starts, LED candles will be prepared for them and kept on the new altar. Kelly will give us an update on R.E., and/or a brief story will be read to the kids, or a dialogue will take place. Everyone (all ages) who has a birthday that month will be invited to come up front and everyone will sing “Happy Birthday” to them. Some of the birthday folks will be invited to light the big chalice together. Kids will then get their little chalices (LED lights) and process out as we sing an exit song. |
Dec 12 | Cindy Bjorklund | John and Alice Britt | "The Fullness of Empty Space" With the simple turning of a page, our calendars will soon flip from 2010 to 2011. But human transitions are not often as simple and seamless. As we move from one phase of our lives to the next, we often pass through a place that is neither “where we’ve been” nor “where we’re going.” These interim times can feel scary and disorienting, and we are often inclined to hurry through the “emptiness,” anxious to reach a more comfortable place in our lives. Join Alice and John Britt as they consider the gifts these “in between” times can hold for us.
John and Alice are members of the Westside UU congregation. Alice, an educator and fiber artist and John, a public health planner and amateur musician, enjoy co-creating Sunday services that mirror their own life journeys
| | (no charge) johnwbritt@comcast.net Alice will do a children's story if desired. They want a singer or guitarist who can perform "Blackbird" by the Beatles.
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Dec 19 | Richard Treston | Amanda | "A Midnight Clear" Let's stop wrestling with Christmas and just enjoy it as a celebration of peace and hope, even in a time of war. And we'll sing the greatest Christmas carol written by a Unitarian. | | |
Dec 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 6 pm | Amanda | Sally Riggers | "The Lights of Christmas, the Lights of Our Lives":: A simple, family-friendly service of readings, stories, carols. | | |
Dec 26 | | Sally Riggers & Linda Riggers | Sally & Linda Riggers “Gifts Come In Many Packages” The giving & receiving of gifts is much talked about this time of year. But what is a gift? How do you give one? How do you receive one? Sally & sister Linda, SNJM, will share some thoughts & personal insights into what constitutes a gift. | | Fourth Sunday Share the Plate |
2011 Jan 2 | Rae Gilbertson | Amanda | "Purifying and Beginning Again" A quiet, meditative ritual of releasing the old year and welcoming the new. Special guitar music by Kyle Findley-Meier will help us ease into our new year. | Guest guitarist: Kyle Findley-Meier | RETURN GUEST AT YOUR TABLE BOXES First-Sunday Children's Chalice Lighting.
Burning bowl, bowl of sand for candles, small strips of easily-burned paper, candles. |
Jan 9 | Sandi York | John and Alice Britt | "Holding on and Letting Go" Entering a new year is like going on a 12 month journey. What kind of trip do you expect and, more importantly, what are you planning to bring along? Please join us as we explore how to hold on to what we most need on this journey and what we might need to leave behind. | | (no charge) |
Jan 16 | Doreen | Amanda | "Good Goats: Healing Our Image of God" Many of us still struggle with the concept of God. There are ways to heal our old images of the Divine and draw a new, more meaningful portrait. There will be some creativity and collaboration involved in this service! | Spirit of Life May I Be Filled with Loving Kindness Bring Many Names | Have folks draw pictures of God in groups and present them. |
Jan 23 | Pat Young | Members | "This I Believe" | | Fourth Sunday Share the Plate
(Doreen is recruiting people) |
Jan 30 | Rosemary Stevens | Donna Oiland | "Legacies: The Footprints We Leave Behind" Our legacies prove that we were here: we lived, we mattered, we made a difference. Sometimes we leave tangible legacies like children, money, crafts, poetry, heirlooms, or gardens. But most legacies are the fruits of a life well lived. They’re found in every tree we’ve saved using recycled paper, every friend we’ve cheered on with our caring and laughter, every co-worker with whom we’ve shared expertise, and every stranger to whom we’ve shown kindness. But unless you document your unique legacy, your stories and values will one day be lost forever, buried in the dust of history.
(followed by workshop) | | $150+$50 travel DMOiland@ evergreenhealthcare.org 425.899.2398
Donna Oiland directed a multi-state non-profit agency for 25 years, is an author and has been a professional speaker for 30 years. Donna works in the Dept. of Spiritual Care at Evergreen Healthcare in Kirkland, WA, giving presentations to community groups and churches regarding end of life issues, the power of personal storytelling and the benefits of laughter. She is also a certified laugh leader with the World Laughter Tour and does educational programs for Cancer Lifeline. Donna is a widow, a bereaved parent, the mother of three, grandmother to four. Her speaking ministry is called “Radiant J |