Soul Matters theme: Opening to Joy
Unless otherwise noted, services are led by the Rev. Andrew Clive Millard and take place at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays per the UUFP’s phased plan for resuming in-person programming. You can connect via Zoom at https://uuma.zoom.us/j/920676087 or you can dial-in to 646-876-9923 (Meeting ID: 920 676 087).
December 5: “Christmas Wishes”
Many children write letters to Santa Claus (which the postal service dutifully delivers to the North Pole), but they aren’t the only people who want something special. But what if you were given a wish for Christmas? How would you use it? Would you use it for yourself or for someone else? Would you turn wishful thinking into thoughtful wishing?
December 12: “A Gift to Re-Gift”
Gift-giving can be tricky. How do you find just the right one? When someone gives us a gift that really suits us, we feel special, heard and seen. But sometimes people think they know us better than we know ourselves, and, even when we ask for what we want, we receive the gift they thought we should have instead. Our story, “A Doll For Jonathan”, offers a thoughtful solution to this situation.
This service will be led by Dan Luke and Joanne Dingus. Dan is chair of the Sunday Services Committee. Joanne is the UUFP’s Director of Religious Education, and her favorite gifts are named Jaimie and Jerry.
Our annual RE-Gift Store will open after the service for you to start shopping!
7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 16: “Blue Holidays” Service
Sometimes we need to acknowledge that not everything about the holidays is jolly. They might be reminders of difficult times or affect our grieving of a loss. Instead of a lively celebration, we might be more in the mood for some solace, support and healing. Join us for our annual “Blue Holidays” service, and we’ll light candles, share stories and sing a hymn or two in fellowship.
The UUFP’s “Blue Holidays” service will take place in the same Zoom room as for our other services.
December 19: “A Purpose at Christmas”
Part of our “free and responsible search for truth and meaning” (in the words of our Fourth Principle) is the search for purpose. It’s not given to us, and it shouldn’t be imposed upon us, so discovering our own purpose is essential. Whether it’s a grand calling or a modest vocation, a sense of purpose helps to bring meaning to our lives.
Christmas Eve Service! 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 24
Join us outdoors at the UUFP (weather permitting) or live on Zoom to celebrate Christmas Eve and all that it means for the promise of bringing hope, peace, joy and love into the world.
If you plan to attend in person, please bring your mask and prepare for warm or cold weather accordingly. You are welcome to bring a lawn chair, though seating will be provided. In case of inclement weather, the service will take place on Zoom.
The UUFP’s Christmas Eve service will take place in the same Zoom room as for our other services.
December 26: “Red, Black and Green”
As Kwanzaa begins, let’s be inspired by the candles on the kinara and learn about the Red, Black and Green New Deal. Led by the Movement for Black Lives, this revolutionary platform asserts that racial justice is climate justice, centering Black communities and their goals and grounded in a national climate agenda for Black lives.