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In the Interim
Each week, the interim ministry team will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme, the state of the church, or the state of the world. This week's post is offered by Rev. Meg Riley.
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As we explore the theme of awe this month, consider these words from Rev. Kendyl Gibbons:
“Religious community exists to help us deepen and celebrate and be nourished by our authentic experiences of reverence. We gather not because we think we can force those experiences to happen on demand on Sunday morning—sometimes they do, although you can’t count on it—but rather because we want to remember and affirm them; we want to testify that we are the kind of beings who have such experiences, and that they change us for the better, and give shape to the larger meaning of our lives.”
We are a diverse community. Words that some of us might use to express reverence for the vast and infinite universe—God, holy, sacred, divine—might cause others to shut down and lose interest. Really there is no adequate language to describe the mystery of the infinite, and much has been lost trying to force words and creeds on one another throughout history. Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal religion in recognition of that fact: Our principles center us in commitment to common values and action, not language or ritual. >>
Read the rest of Rev. Meg's message on UUCM Happenings.
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WORSHIP: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
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Awesome!
10:00 AM
Worship Leader: Rev. Meg Riley
Worship Associate: Kelly Bertenshaw
Synopsis: Thoughts on awesomeness, and how cultivating a sense of awe can deepen and enrich our lives.
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RE Classes in Session
After the Service
Feeling shy? Overwhelmed? Can’t hear or stand up easily? New here? If coffee hour is too much for any reason, consider joining the quieter version — come to the front of the sanctuary and chat quietly with a few people!
Red and Teal Cup Greeters
Find the colorful coffee cups after the service each Sunday!
Those holding RED coffee cups are especially available to orient newcomers, answer questions and offer helpful resources. Folks holding TEAL coffee cups know all about social justice work at UUCM and would love to connect with you.
December's Social Generosity Recipient:
Guest At Your Table, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC's) annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. This year, the theme is Women Leaders, Strong Communities.
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Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. NEW: Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to "UUCM" with instructions in the memo line.
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WORK OF THE CHURCH: THIS WEEK
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THIS SUNDAY
11:15 AM – Path to Membership Class: Exploring UU History & Beliefs (Oak Room)
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Monday, December 9
1:00 PM – Care Team Meeting (Oak Room)
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM – Women Who Read Book Club (Chapel/Oak Room)
Tuesday, December 10
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
6:30 PM – CYRE Team Meeting
7:00 PM – Men's Book Club (Oak Room)
Wednesday, December 11
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM – Social Justice Ministry Meeting (Oak Room)
Thursday, December 12
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
6:15 PM – Board of Trustees Meeting (Oak Room)
Friday, December 13
12:00 PM – Venerable Women's Luncheon (Community Room)
Saturday, December 14
9:00 AM – Pageant Orchestra Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
10:00 AM – Youth Cookie Bake (Kitchen/Community Room)
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Sunday, December 15
HOLIDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM – Worship Service: Winter Holiday Pageant
Synopsis: Be sure to be at church when all ages take part, from the “pews” or the pulpit, in the annual Winter Holiday Pageant. It is both meaningful and fun! This service will be followed afterward by the Youth Cookie Bake Sale – a fundraiser for youth activities such as mission trips, conferences, and leadership training. So save the date and please bring your checkbook or cash.
Worship Leader: Jennifer Swick
Worship Associate: Rev. Terri Burnor
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12:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Monday, December 16
11:00 AM – Monday Morning Book Club (Community Room)
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, December 17
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Wednesday, December 18
HOLIDAY SERVICE 6:00 PM – Blue Holiday Worship Service (Chapel)
Join us for this contemplative service for all who are lonely, grieving, and hurting during the holidays. Come and be with others in the community as we take gentle care of our tender hearts together. Please note: childcare is available if requested by midnight on Sat., 12/14. Contact Jennifer at dre@uucmtka.org to request childcare for this service.
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6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal (Chapel)
Thursday, December 19
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Friday, December 20
6:00 PM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Saturday, December 21
9:00 AM – Play Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
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HOLIDAY SERVICE 7:00 PM – Celebrate the Solstice with Gabriel Ross (Sanctuary)
Come celebrate the darkness, mystery and delight of the longest night. Our service will include drumming, readings, reflection and an engaging story of animals awaiting the return of the sun. Children ages seven+ are welcome, there will be a short time of silence. Please note, childcare will not be available for this service. Join Gabriel Ross, friends from Creative Spirit and members of UUCM’s worship team in this enchanting evening, followed by a bonfire (weather permitting).
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Sunday, December 22
2:00 PM – UUCM Annual Holiday Play (Sanctuary)
7:00 PM – UUCM Annual Holiday Play (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, December 24
HOLIDAY SERVICE 4:00 PM – Family Christmas Eve Worship Service (Sanctuary)
All ages are welcome. This service will feature the choir, carol singing in advance, shorter scripture readings, and stories and will culminate with candle lighting and singing Silent Night. Please note: childcare will not be available for this service.
HOLIDAY SERVICE 7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service (Sanctuary)
All ages are welcome. This service will feature more contemplative music, scripture and reflection and will culminate with candle lighting and singing Silent Night. Childcare is available for this service.
Beloved Conversations Opening Retreat
Friday, January 10 from 6 PM to 9 PM and Saturday, January 11 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Learn more and register here!
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Holiday Decorating at UUCM
TOMORROW Saturday, December 7 at 9:00 AM
A few more volunteers (adults and school-age children) are needed to help decorate the church for the holidays. We will be decorating a tree and hanging lights and snowflakes. Come if you are able! Contact Mary Cotton at mary3452@hotmail.com with any questions.
NEW Guest at Your Table Box Collection
We hope the families participating in Guest at Your Table (raising funds and awareness of the work of the UU Service Committee) are having a great experience learning about women who change their corner of the world. Families will be invited to place their donation boxes under the tree during the offertory Dec. 22nd and 29th.
NEW Six Spring RE Teachers Needed
Can you be a Team Teacher this spring, rotating with other Teachers to lead RE class sessions? The commitment would be 10 Sundays Jan. 19th - May 10th (5 Sundays leading the lesson, 5 Sundays supporting another Teacher as they lead and 5 Sundays off). We need 2 Teachers for each of these age groups: Birth-Kindergarten, 1st/2nd grade and 3rd/4th. See the job description attached and contact Jennifer at dre@uucmtka.org with questions. Thank you for considering if you can help make RE possible for the children of UUCM :)
Register for Beloved Conversations 2020
Online registration is now open for Beloved Conversations—an immersive small-group curriculum for exploring race/ethnicity in our lives and in the life of this congregation. Around 40 UUCM members and friends have already gone through this meaningful experience. The opening retreat will be held Friday evening, January 10, and all day Saturday, January 11. The retreat is followed by eight 2-hour sessions on Sundays from 1-3 pm starting January 19. Visit UUCM Happenings for more details and to register. The cohort is limited to 14 people, and registration closes December 31. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Terri at revterri@uucmtka.org.
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The weekly submission deadline for Friday Update and order of service announcements is Thursday by 5:00 PM. Submissions can be emailed to office@uucmtka.org. Thank you! |
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Path to Membership Class: Exploring UU History & Beliefs
Sunday, December 8 from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM in the Oak Room
This class is one of two classes offered on the path to membership at UUCM, allowing participants to share their own spiritual journeys and to interactively explore a broad overview of Unitarian and Universalist history and what it means to be a UU. Visitors and friends who have attended both of these “Exploring UUism” classes are eligible to become members of UUCM. Childcare will be available at this event. Current members and friends are also very welcome to join in the class. Facilitated by Melissa Martinson, Membership Ministry.
IMPORTANT REMINDER Parking at UUCM - We Need Your Help!
As UUCM welcomes more and more people, our parking situation can be challenging on Sundays. You can help! Bring one car per household, or carpool with friends. Also, consider using the offsite parking on Wayzata Blvd east of Crosby or in the designated area to the west of the church. For more ideas, please visit the UUCM Happening Page.
Amazon Smile
Did you know your online purchases can make a difference for the church? Amazon Smile donates to UUCM if you do your holiday shopping with Amazon at smile.amazon.com/ch/41-0901806.
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- MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF UUCM SHARE EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
HAPPENING IN OUR WIDER COMMUNITY -
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Invitation to the ordination of Sara Smalley
TOMORROW Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 PM
First Universalist Church of Minneapolis joyfully invites you to attend the ordination of Sara Smalley, who has served at UUCM as a ministerial intern from 2016 to 2017. Dessert reception to follow. All are welcome! Please RSVP here.
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In the Community
You are welcome to share events that are important to you and align with our values. If you would like to submit and event, email office@uucmtka.org with a short paragraph outlining the event and where to go for more information. Thank you!
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Church Closure Policy for Inclement Weather
In the very rare event of a need to cancel Sunday services because of inclement weather, you can find out whether church is open by:
- Watching for an email message from UUCM announcing the cancellation/church closure.
- Looking at the UUCM website after 9 AM on Sunday. A special alert will be posted if church is cancelled.
- Calling the main church phone at (952) 473-5900 after 9 AM on Sunday. A special voicemail recording will be available if church is cancelled.
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