The First Advent Candle: Hope.

Candlelighter: Cindy Cordova

Hope is expressed differently by different people. There are the hopeful (glass half full) like my husband and the hopeless (glass half empty) like myself. And a lot of us tend to hang out on the fence . . . teetering . . . balancing between the two.

There are those that would say GOD gives us “hope” and that with no “hope” certainly there would be no joy. And so “hope” is often interpreted as “faith.” Some use these words interchangeably.

Our family subscribes to the idea of “hope” as a faith. A faith in being . . . and not just in being . . . but in doing. Each moment is an opportunity. If we do and act in that moment in such a way that promotes kindness, compassion and meaning we have fulfilled a hope of betterment. Not in a specific or personal betterment or in a specific goal, but in a broader betterment . . . of how our actions are received and passed on in the universe.

So I light our first advent candle with the hope that we each and every one of us positively “do” in the moment. May the universe carry your positive energy forward and disperse it where it’s needed most.

Wheel of Life December 5, 2009

We extend our sympathy to Christine Sugarman whose father, Gary A. Anderson died on November 24th.

Advent Series December 7, 2009

Advent Series: "The Gifts You Bring"

Christmas has been celebrated in our culture as a time when we offer gifts to one another. But are we conscious of the real and lasting gift that is our own life? Are we aware of how we bless the world, help our neighbor and make a difference? This Advent Series, led by Rev. Merritt and Rev. Schade, will ask us to take a spiritual inventory, and to consider the many ways that we are uniquely called to give, and to receive. Our Monday Night At The Church series will be held at 7:15 -8:30 p.m., starting on November 30th, and will be held through December 21. The second in the series on December 7th is: "The Gift of Christmas Poetry." You are welcome to attend any or all sessions.

Monday Night At the Church begins at 5:30 p.m. with an hour of Zen (meditation) practice in the Chapel. Come Be with us in the intimate silence - no experience necessary!The centerpiece of MNATC is of course Ken Waugh and friends' fellowship dinner at 6:30 p.m.Childcare is available every Monday night. All are welcome to any or all of the Monday night activities.

Christmas Outreach Opportunities

Christmas Elves Needed

Two small, but very meaningful projects, require care in December. If you'd like to volunteer, please talk to Rev. Schade or Rev. Merritt. First: The Mitten Tree. Job Description: Encourage members and friends to contribute children's mittens, scarves, and knit hats, to decorate our Bancroft Christmas tree. And then when schools starts up again in January, deliver them to the Elm Park School. Second: Long underwear. Encourage members and friends to fill our Christmas stockings in the Bancroft Room with what the poor and the homeless most desperately need long underwear, especially in large sizes. After January 4th take the men's to the Vet Shelter, and the women's to the Salvation Army or Abby's House. You can do this work with friends, just let us know if we can rely on you to carry the Christmas spirit out into the community.

December At First Unitarian Church

Friday, December 4, 2009
“Christmas Memories” Concert
7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Featuring Maria Ferrante, soprano and Will Sherwood, piano, pipe organ. (Homemade Christmas cookies and fresh apple cider reception to follow the concert.)

Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sermon: “A Somewhat Desperate Need for New Hope.”
Preaching: Rev. Barbara Merritt
Liturgist: Rev. Thomas Schade

Green Christmas Coffee Hour in Unity Hall. There will be good food, family-friendly holiday preparations, and opportunities to make donations of time and money to the church and other worthy causes.

Monday, December 7, 2009
Advent Series: “The Poetry of Christmas”
7:15 p.m. in the Chapel.

Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Pageant Sunday
Hanukkah Party Coffee Hour in Unity Hall. (Latkes! Games!)

Sunday, December 20, 2009
Christmas Music Sunday

Monday, December 21, 2009
All Church Christmas Potluck
6:30 p.m. in the Dining Room. Hosted by the Advent Series participants.

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Both services are identical.
Preaching: Rev. Barbara Merritt and Rev. Thomas Schade
(We could use some more ushers and greeters. Please call the church 508-757-2708 if you can help.)

Sunday, December 27, 2009
Church service has been cancelled this Sunday due to the shortfall in the 2009 pledge campaign. First Unitarian Church will be closed from December 26, 2009 through January 2, 2009. This includes the December 27th service, the church office and all activities at the church.

Sunday, January 3, 2009
Sermon: “Ring the Fuller Minstrel In: The New Year Calls to Us.”
Preaching: Rev. Thomas Schade
Liturgist: Rev. Barbara Merritt

Green Christmas Coffee Hour This Week

Please join us in Unity Hall for the Green Christmas festivities during Coffee Hour this Sunday. There will be good food, family-friendly holiday preparations, and opportunities to make donations of time and money to the church and other worthy causes.

Among Ourselves December 5, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chuck Dewey who is in hospice care at Holy Name Nursing Home.

Attention: Floral Designers and Christmas Decorators

In order to accommodate the standing room crowds in our sanctuary on December 24th, First Unitarian will be having two identical Christmas Eve Candle light services this year, with full choir at both and identical worship. The first will be at 4:00 pm and the second at 5:30 pm. We would love to have a wonderful Christmas Floral arrangement on the altar. If you can arrange the flowers, or contribute to a fund for a professional florist to do the creative work, please contact Barbara Foley at the church office, or either Rev. Schade or Rev. Merritt.