the communitariandocuments/news/2019/... · curiosity and join in the reverence together. worship...
TRANSCRIPT
1
The Communitarian Newsletter of the Community Unitarian Universalist Church
www.CommunityUU.org
December 2019
Joy and service—right here! Right now!
2819 W. Sylvester Street, Pasco, Washington
99301
Sunday Service & Religious Exploration
for Children and Youth
10:30 AM
Minister: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss
509-266-7960 [email protected]
Office:
509.545.6777 [email protected]
www.communityuu.org
www.facebook.com/
CommunityUU
December 1
"Abundance, Gratitude and Faith (AGF)" Speakers: Marla Marvin, John Roach, and Virginia Tomlinson As we prepare for our annual Alternative Gift Fair (AGF) on the first Satur-day in December, we'll focus on themes for seasonal holidays and the Fair. Themes of Abundance, Gratitude and Fait h (AGF) will be explored in poetry, individual perspectives and reflections. Worship Associate: Virginia Tomlinson Musician: Ellen Fillion
December 8 "Awe and Wonder" Speaker: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss As we approach the dark, contemplative time of the year, we explore the depth and breadth of Mystery with both awe and wonder. Like cavers twisting and turning underground, illuminating unexplored pathways, we move into uncharted caverns of knowing and unknowing. Bring your curiosity and join in the reverence together. Worship Associate: Musician: Mike and Shannon
December 15
"A Sky Full of Stars" Speaker: Regina McConaghy Join us for an interactive, intergenerational, no-practice Christmas pageant. We will enact the Nativity story, and explore some of the different ways this awe-filled, and awe-inspiring narrative creates meaning for Unitarian Universalists. Worship Associate: Mike Truex and Pauline Schafer Musician: Ellen Fillion and the CUUC choir
December 21 “Winter Solstice Celebration” Grandfather Frost calls upon the four Dragons of the Winter Sky to bring light back to the world on the longest night. Be a part of the wonder of light overcoming darkness and the beginning of the winter season. Come join us at 6:30 pm Worship Associate: Arrhiannon Kirkpatrick Musician: Joan Gray (Continued on next page)
2
Joy and service—right here! Right now!
December 22
"Room at the Inn" Speaker: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss Welcoming is a key tenet in our faith. As we explore the Christmas story together, may we commit anew to radical hospitality and love for our neighbor. Worship Associate: Steve Pottle Musician: Ellen Fillion
December 24 "O, Holy Night" Speaker: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss Join us at 4 pm for our joyous Christmas Eve celebration and candle lighting service. Worship Associate: Kay Scheidegger Musician: Joan Gray
December 29
"Setting Intentions & Letting Go" Speakers: CUUC Members Join us as we set our intentions for the new year and let go of the past using the Unitarian Universalist version of the Burning Bowl ceremony. Worship Associate: Virginia Tomlinson Musician: Mike and Shannon
The Communitarian
December 2019
Christmas Eve Music Opportunity
Are you a musician interested in sharing your musical gifts during our Christmas Eve service? We have a beautiful tradition here at CUUC of having community members of all ages playing a myriad of instruments and singing for this special worship service. If you would like to offer music on December 24
th please email Rev. Crystal at [email protected].
3
The Communitarian
December 2019
Religious Education News Regina McConaghy Dear Ones, It’s December! I love the long dark nights, the sparkling cold, the frosty starlight, and all the rituals we humans have invented over the course of eons to get us through until the Light returns. I love how these rituals remind us how we are connected to the cycles of nature, and how they can knit us together in our families and communities. Holidays can be a source of great joy and satisfaction, but it is also important to recognize that it requires a lot of labor and time to make this magic happen, and also that holidays can be quite painful for many; perhaps because one’s own values, beliefs, and winter practices are not visible in the dominant cultural narrative of the season, or perhaps because of distance between, or absence of loved ones, or a breakdown in family or community connections. What are your rituals and practices? What do you honor as the nights grow deeper and longer? How do you convince your heart in times of Darkness that Light will come again? Are you, like me, overcome with awe when you stand outside in the cold night, bundled up in your warmest garments, and look up at a sky full of stars? I may have mentioned before that awe is one of my favorite human experiences to think about. That which inspires us to awe is frequently beautiful, terrible, vast, microscopic, ineffable, inestimable, and or gives us goosebumps. According to Goethe, the thrills and chills of awe remind humans that we are small in the face of the universe, and acknowledging our insignificance motivates us to be moral and ethical. This November, I was so fortunate and grateful to attend the fall convention of LREDA. At the con-ference, I had the opportunity to hear Reverend Sofia Betancourt speak. She articulated for me something that I have known to be true in my heart for a long time, but I did not have the words to express. “I am a theist,” she said. “That means I believe there is something greater than myself that calls my best self into being.” I think that awe is what I feel when I brush up against that “something greater”, and that my goosebumps stem not only from knowing how tiny I am compared to this “something greater”, but also from my belief that I am a part of it, even though it is beyond me. In my ideal world, we’d all hike up Badger Mountain in the dark, and then lay down in a circle and silently watch the stars together. “Look,” I would whisper to the children. “Isn’t this amazing? Do you know that YOU are amazing?” Of course, most children don’t really enjoy lying down on lumpy bumpy hard rocks in the cold mountaintop wind, so we’ll be trying to get the same message across in our regular, Sunday morning classroom settings. We plan to engage with the traditions of Advent, Solstice, Christmas, and Chanukah, and frame our conversations with the lens of awe. On December 15th adults and children and youth will all “do church” together in what looks to be a pretty awesome intergenerational no-practice Christmas pageant. Do not miss this special opportunity to worship together as a whole community and celebrate the miracle of Love. With Love,
Regina
President’s Message
Church in the 21st century is about bringing people together and making con-nections, about build community and making a difference. I hope that participating in CUUC brings meaning to your life. I know that for me, it is where I go to recharge, to reflect and rekindle my strength to face the challenges of this world. Your positive actions and words sometimes may not seem like much, but don’t grow weary of doing good. The little things you do don’t mean a lot, they mean everything. I love our motto “Joy and Service, Right Here, Right Now.” May we each bloom where we are planted (Right Here, Right Now). May we each bloom and grow with each positive action and adventure in our lives. May we be nourished on Sunday and share that Love and Grace throughout the week. May it be so. What is our next most elegant step? I would like to hear from you. What do you like/Love best about CUUC? I want to strengthen and grow the things we do best. Help us be the best we can be in the world. Together in love and in community we can do anything we set our minds to. David Comstock
4
The Communitarian
December 2019
Minister’s Musings
The days are growing shorter and the air is turning crisper. Holiday music fills the radio waves as we move into the season of Awe. The darkness invites us inward while the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, cookies, and carols flash in bright lights. The hope of the new year is fast approaching, and yet the invitation of the darkness asks that we slow down, be still, notice what’s around you, breathe in with wonder the beauty of it all, and relish in the Love in which you are held. December arrives with all its complexity and myriad emotions. This time of year is joyous and celebratory for some – it’s the most wonderful time of the year! For others, it can be anxiety-producing and straining on relationships. Still for others, it can be a lonely time filled with heart-ache and sadness for loved ones no longer with us. These thirty-ones days leading up to the new year can be all of these things and much more. However you experience the holiday season and the turning of the wheel, remember that your faith community and your minister are here for you. I am happy to visit with you at a coffee shop, in your home, in the hospital, at the church, or out for a walk. We can connect in person as well as via phone, text, and email. If you find yourself in need of a listening ear, struggling with complicated family dynamics, juggling negative thoughts or overwhelming feelings, or you simply want to vent or laugh out loud together, please know that you are not alone. With joy and conviction, and in the spirit of this season of Awe, I wish you a Blessed Yule Happy Hanukkah Merry Christmas Happy Kwanzaa and a Blessed Happy New Year! In Love and Gratitude, Rev. Crystal
5
The Communitarian
December 2019
Upcoming Events
13th Alternative Gift Fair On the Way!
Saturday December 7th--noon to 4:00--come help, invite friends and join in the fun and festivity that is our annual Alternative Gift Fair. There will be a sign-up sheet out the 3rd of November and many ways to help-- at the kid’s craft table, with music you can share, donating baked goods for the bake sale or greeting visitors as they come in—choose something that sounds like fun & join in! Donations have reached over over $200,000 in 12 years—let’s make #13 the best year we can. The publicity flyers to distribute will be ready to pick up by November10th. The yard signs will also be ready to take home & put up. The day is always busy and joyful—joy and service,
Alternative Gift Fair Bake Sale
The Alternative Gift Bake Sale is calling all bakers, big and small, expert and amateur, young and old, near and far, to donate baked goods for the benefit of our annual giving event. The Hospitality Committee will meet on Friday, December 6th to package and price all donations and we ask you to have your donations here by 9:00 am. This year we would like to offer a special to our patrons. We would like to offer cookie tins for an additional cost for patrons to purchase, especially tins with a holiday theme. If you have any old cookie tins to donate to the cause, we would greatly appreciate it. All proceeds will go to support the Alternative Gift Fair. Any items not sold on Saturday, December 7th will be available for purchase on Sunday December 8th during the Soup or…? pot luck lunch at a discount for our attendees and those proceeds will benefit the Hospitality Committee. Donations of cookies, cupcakes, muffins, cakes, bread, and pies are just a few suggestions and we hope this will spark your imagination! If you have any questions, ask any member of the Hospitality Com-mittee or email [email protected]. There is a sign-up sheet located on the table at the back of the sanctuary.
World AIDS Day Dec 1st
World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending the HIV epidemic. You are invited to join in the Tri-Cities World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1st at CUUC, cohosted by Benton/ Franklin County PFLAG, Planned Parenthood, and CUUC. Doors open at 5PM for refreshments and the service begins at 5:30PM. https://www.facebook.com/events/416125539066621/
Racial Equity and Social Justice Coalition Meeting
Dec 9th at CUUC
Join the Racial Equity and Social Justice Coalition meeting on Monday, December 9th at 6:30 pm at CUUC. This partnership of concerned community members gathers to address inequality, discrimination, and racial disparity through coalition building, resource sharing, and strategizing effective methods for making a difference in the Tri-Cities. All are invited to join in this important, loving work. https://www.facebook.com/events/432106700780457/
6
The Communitarian
December 2019
Upcoming Events, con’t
Guest at Your Table - Women Leaders, Strong Communities
CUUC is participating in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Guest at Your Table program. Guest at Your Table is UUSC’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and aware-ness about key human rights issues. This year’s program offers an opportunity to learn more about women leaders from UUSC partner organizations taking on some of today’s greatest human rights challenges. You can find more information here: www.uusc.org. Please return your contributions by December 22nd. Thank you for your generosity.
Hearts and Hands
Our Hearts and Hands Team, Zahra Roach, Marla Marvin, Teri Robertson, and Sandra Rosenau, is available to offer support when you’re going through a rough time or when you need a little extra help from your faith community. If you find yourself needing someone to listen, or perhaps you’d like a call or visit, or maybe a meal delivered, please reach out to anyone on the team. Part of what it means to be in community is caring for one another and our dedicated Hearts and Hands Team, in collaboration with Rev. Crystal, is here for you. See page 8 for contact information.
Communications Team Forming
Do you love our CUUC community? Are you someone who is interested in communications? Do you consider yourself social media savvy? Perhaps you have ideas for reimagining our online presence? If any part of this description fits you, consider exploring a role in our newly forming communi-cations team. Contact Rev. Crystal for more details and to join in expanding our public presence. You, your skills, and your passion are needed!
Winter Solstice Celebration: Yule and the Dragons of the Winter Sky--December 21
Join us on Saturday, December 21st at 6:30 pm to celebrate the beginning of Winter, the return of the sun, and the turning of the wheel of the year with Grandfather Frost and Grandmother Winter who will tell the tale of the Dragons of the Winter Sky and how they helped return light to the world. Service begins at 6:30 pm and there will be hot beverages and cookies afterwards. A donation for local food banks will be collected during the service. Our CUUC worship team and members of the pagan community will join to-gether to make this a fun, family friendly event. The service will be held in the sanctuary.
White Fragility Book Discussion Group
Join our book discussion group as we continue exploring White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo. The next session will be Friday, December 13 at 6:30 pm at the church.
New Year’s Eve Dance Party at CUUC
Some of us are dreaming up a family friendly and fun filled New Year’s Eve Dance Party and Potluck! See “Church Notes” for more information.
7
The Communitarian
December 2019
Church Notes, etc.
Fellowship & Spiritual Practice
Gentle Yoga
Weekly Gentle Yoga Classes are held at CUUC on Saturday mornings from 9:00 -10:15 am. Join us as we explore techniques to relieve stress and ease body and mind into improved strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga mats and props are available to use or you can bring your own. Drop-ins are welcome. Classes are $15 each session or you can purchase a punch card of 10 classes for $120. You can contact Bobi Wilson at [email protected] for more information.
Men’s Dinner
We meet the third Friday of the month at the church. This month will be Friday, December 20 at 5:30. Do not be afraid to be fashionably late! We are now primed for thought provoking debate. The world has turned, it’s time to expand the conversation and get our creative juices flowing. The topics are often "out of this world.”
Reminder: Our Monthly Soup or…? Sunday pot luck lunch will be the SECOND Sunday of December on December 8
th, due to the need to set up for the Alternative Gift Fair on Decem-
ber 1st.
Soup Or…? Sunday is December 8
We invite all members to join our Soup Or…? Sunday Lunch on the first Sunday of most months. While we want to encourage the sharing of the many varieties of wonderful soups from the congregation, we realize that there are some who prefer to contribute other foods, so that is where the Or…? comes in. Please join us Sunday, December 8 for lunch after the service. We ask that if you bring a dish to share, please do not bring a serving utensil unless it is vital to your dish. We have many scoops, ladles, spoons, and tongs and you will find a variety on the main table, so please use them! You don’t have to bring something to stay for lunch and we do collect cash donations to help cover the costs of the supplies. To encourage conversations, you will find table tents with a question or two to encourage discussions on the tables, as well! The Hospitality Committee also offers coffee service every Sunday after the service and we invite everyone to enjoy a cup of coffee, tea and conversation as well as juice for the children and young at heart. We depend on donations to help cover the cost of coffee, tea, and napkins, etc. Please be generous when you can.
New Year’s Eve Dance Party at CUUC
Some of us are dreaming up a family friendly and fun filled New Year’s Eve Dance Party and Potluck! We could get it started with a potluck at 6:30 pm Tuesday December 31, and follow it up with dancing, board games (please bring your favorites), and other activities. If you would like to be part of the planning of this event, please contact Gayle Wilde at [email protected], Let’s have some fun as we usher in a brand new decade!
8
The Communitarian
December 2019
CUUC Contacts
Minister: Rev. Crystal Zerfoss
Office Admin: Gayle Wilde
RE Education: Regina McConaghy
Board of Trustees:
President: David Comstock
Vice President: Alex Emig
Treasurer: Denise Pitts
Secretary: Barb Tarasevich
Member-at-large: Alicia Boyd
Member-at-large: Brian Kirkpatrick
Committees
Worship
Our Sunday morning services are planned and coordinated by the Worship Committee. The first and third Sundays are generally led by Rev. Crystal. On other Sundays, we have outside speakers and get to hear from some of our own members. The Worship Committee will meet on December 2, 6:30 p.m. at the church. The members are Mike Truex, chair, Alex Emig, Arrihannon Kirkpatrick, Regina McConaghy, Steve Pottle, Pauline Schafer, Virginia Tomlinson and Rev. Crystal Zerfoss. If you have comments or suggestions for services, please speak with one of the members. Thank you.
Hands & Heart
Our Hearts and Hands Team, Zahra Roach, Marla Marvin, Teri Robertson, and Sandra Rosenau, is available to offer support when you’re going through a rough time or when you need a little extra help from your faith community. If you find yourself need-ing someone to listen, or perhaps you’d like a call or visit, or maybe a meal delivered, please reach out to anyone on the team. Part of what it means to be in community is caring for one another and our dedicated Hearts and Hands Team, in collaboration with Rev. Crystal, is here for you.
Buildings & Grounds The Building and Grounds Committee can always use a little help. We find joy in sharing the wealth... the wealth of our service to our CUUC home and our community of users. We are focused on the day-to-day maintenance and incremental improvement of our lovely CUUC facility. We seek new committee members to lend a hand, whether you're a crafty do-it-yourselfer or a born organizer, we would love for you to have just a small share of our joy and service through the Building and Grounds Committee. Please contact a Board Member for more information.