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Check out the upcoming events at
First Unitarian Church of Baltimore!
Voices About Us Facility Rentals Happenings Church Family Home Giving
Events for Wednesday, December 17
through Tuesday, December 23
 
 

 


Celebrate the return of the Sun
Winter Solstice Ritual

Sunday, December 21, 2014 – 7 p.m.
First Unitarian Church
(Charles & Franklin Streets, Baltimore 21201)

 
Be still
honor the dark
light the New Year fire
turn  the  Wheel  of  the  Year
enjoy songs, poetry, drama, ritual
taste   the  sweetness  of   life
bless the newborn babes
greet the returning
sun
 

 For more information visit www.firstunitarian.net
or call 410-252-6074
or email solstice@firstunitarian.net

 
This ritual is taken, in part, from In Nature’s Honor: Myths and Rituals Celebrating the Earth by Patricia Montley, whose op-ed pieces on seasonal holidays have appeared in The Baltimore Sun


 


HumanLight Party and Potluck Dinner
 
When:
Tuesday, December 23, 7:00-10:00 pm (doors open 6:30 pm)
Where:
Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St.
 
 
Please join us to celebrate HumanLight with the Baltimore Coalition of Reason on Tuesday, December 23.  HumanLight is a celebration of the winter season conceived by the New Jersey Humanist Network as a humanist or secular alternative to traditional religious celebrations. HumanLight features music and the lighting of three candles celebrating Reason, Compassion, and Hope.  HumanLight was first celebrated in 2001 in New Jersey and has since spread throughout the country.  This year is the fifth celebration of HumanLight by the Baltimore Coalition of Reason.  

To learn more, visit the HumanLight website .
 
This year we are celebrating HumanLight at the Baltimore Ethical Society.  We will have a potluck dinner and desserts, music, and the candle lighting.  This is a family-friendly event, and children are welcome.  The Organic Family Band is back by popular demand!  They will entertain us again with Irish jigs, Klezmer tunes, and Bundeslieder songs.
 
Please tell us you're coming (RSVP) and tell us what food you’d like to bring.  Sign up for the potluck dinner here: http://ur1.ca/isgz6 . If you can't access the Google Doc, then email BmoreCoR@gmail.com or call 443-267-8585 .
 
Parking is free on Franklin St. after 6:00 pm. 
Click here for directions.


 

Get to Know the Bible

The Bible holds great sway over our predominantly Christian society. But what does it really say, and how can we come to a better understanding of a work which has both injured and inspired? 

Pilgrims & Strangers, a weekly reading and discussion group, will start meeting on January 4th at 10 a.m. to explore this foundational document of Christianity. All are welcome at the table, no matter your beliefs. 

Please contact Gene Slothour-Hudnall at gene.hudnall@gmail.com to join the email list.
 
Are You UU Shopping?
 
As the holidays approach, we have several exciting ways to shop while supporting our UU connections. 
 
First, just scroll down this page and start your online shopping with the church Amazon button.  Everything you buy using this button generates revenue for our church--usually 6.5% of your purchase cost.  There is nothing special to do, nothing extra to pay, just start your shopping journey here.
 
Second, stop at the UUSC table during coffee hour and purchase holiday cards that support the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
 
Third, for a large selection of fairly traded items, including food, clothing, and housewares, go to the UUSC online store at www.thegoodbuy.com.  You'll be amazed at the selection of ethically sourced and eco-friendly products.  The bonus is that your purchases support the UUSC's human rights programs around the world.
Happy Holidays!  Happy UU Shopping!
 

City Dining Cards

Looking for a gift for a friends? Want to support local businesses? Stop by the Bookstore table during Fellowship hour to check out our latest fundraiser: City Dining Cards. Twenty dollars gets you a deck of 50 playing cards that each offer a $10 discount off of your food bill (with $30 purchase) at a different local Baltimore establishment. Cards are good until 12/31/15. Of the twenty dollars to buy the deck, ten goes straight to the church. The deck pays for itself with its second use.

Are drinks with friends more your style? Then maybe the City Drink Deck is more up your alley. This deck of cards gets you one free drink of equal or lesser value ($10 max) at any one of 50 Baltimore bars and restaurants. 

To purchase either deck, bring $20 (cash or check) to the Bookstore during Fellowship Hour or contact the Church Office during the week.
 
Our Change for Change Partner for November and December
 
Our Change for Change partner during November and December is the Friends of Dayspring Gardens, a grassroots project transforming desolate and weed-filled vacant lots into an oasis where vegetables, herbs, trees and native plants can flourish. Growing food is a top priority as this area is part of a “food desert” in East Baltimore, where obtaining fresh healthy foods is difficult.

Friends of Dayspring Gardens is a collaboration of the families and staff of Dayspring, community residents and members of First Unitarian Church. More information is available at the Social Action Clearinghouse table during coffee hour.
Spread the Word
about Your
Church Event!

Here's how to submit your items to Happenings, the church calendar and Sunday announcements. Any special formatting will be changed to fit the current format standards in place.

1. CALENDAR ONLY: Click here to complete the online form. (Allow 48 hours for your event to be approved and added to the calendar.)

2. HAPPENINGS AND VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY: Submit your announcements by emailingoffice@firstunitarian.net, by noon each Tuesday.

3. SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLY: For announcements that you want in the Sunday Order of Service, please email office@firstunitarian.net by 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
SUNDAY SERVICE

Celebration of Life


"Blue Christmas"

Rev. David Carl Olson

11 a.m. in the Sanctuary

This Week
at First Unitarian

Click on the event name to see the complete calendar listing.

Wednesday, December 17
Board Meeting


Thursday, December 18
Building & Grounds Committee Meeting

Friday, December 19
Parish Hall Rental

Cleaning of the First Unitarian Church Buildings

Impromt-UU Coffee House: Board Games

Saturday, December 20
Adult RE Committee Meeting

Rehearsal for Service

Sunday, December 21
Mindfulness for All Ages

Celebration of Life "Blue Christmas"

Justice, Equity and Compassion

Rehearsal for Winter Solstice Ritual

Winter Solstice

Reception Following Winter Solstice Ritual

Monday, December 22
Rehearsal for Service

Mark Your Calendars for these Special Events!
Click on the event name to see the complete calendar listings

Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Pageant

Christmas Eve Potluck

Candlelight Christmas Eve

Relax into the Holidays

Holiday stress ruining your mood? Spend a few moments in quietly led meditation.

Just before Sunday services, join Dale Lantz and others in the Youth Room (2nd Floor). Gather at 10:15 a.m., and be in a pew -- relaxed and ready to receive -- by 11 a.m.
From the Social Action Clearinghouse:
Winter Homeless Neighbors Outreach

With the early cold weather, our homeless neighbors are in need of winter clothing and blankets.  Please bring any warm coats, sweaters, socks, pants, scarfs and blankets to the Social Action Clearinghouse table during coffee hour.  Everything helps!

Thank you from the SAC and our homeless neighbors in Baltimore.

Mitten Tree

The Mitten Tree will be going up soon in the Parish Hall, ready to receive your donations of hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for men, women and children, both sexes.

The donated items should be new or gently used. Hand-knit items are welcome. The group or groups who will receive them will be decided on at the next Social Action Committee Meeting.

 

From the Social Action Clearinghouse: 


UUSC Holiday Cards are here! 

Proceeds from the sale of these cards will help UUSC continue to advance justice and work for basic human rights in our country, in Haiti and other countries around the world.  We have an assortment of new designs and other cards for sale at a reduced price.  Your use of these cards will show your family and friends that you choose compassionate consumption this year for your holiday giving.   Stop by our table during coffee hour to see the cards and learn more about the work of UUSC.  Membership information will also be available   contact: Roberta Van Meter msvee505@gmail.com.  
The End is Near--Donate Now!
 
It's hard to believe that December 31st is coming fast. If you want your donations to First Unitarian to be part of your 2014 tax return, we must have the funds in hand, or at least in a postmarked envelope, by 12/31/14. If you have lost track of this year's donations, please e-mail treasurer@firstunitarian.net to request a statement, or call Aubrey in the church office and let her know you want a statement. Please remember, you can always make extra donations or honor a special person with a gift to the church. You can also donate stocks to the church. For details on stock donations, please contact the treasurer or the church office. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything you do to support our church!
Support Your Church When You Shop On Amazon
 
All you have to do is click here or you can access the link on the church website (scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the Amazon logo). Any time you buy a product or gift card from Amazon, First Unitarian gets a percentage of the price of your purchase -- at no additional cost to you.

Thank you again for all of your support!
Copyright © 2012 First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian), All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up on the First Unitarian Website or provided your email address on a visitor card during a worship service.

Our mailing address is:
First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Universalist and Unitarian)
1 W Hamilton Street
Baltimore, MD 21201