This month’s worship theme is dedicated to serving our community and world. We give thanks
for the opportunity to share our gifts for ministry with TUUC and also in our social action projectsby supporting the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and in acclaiming creation
whose bounty we share.” – Rev. Clare

9:30 and 11:15 AM

Members of the TUUC Social Action Committee and Rev. Clare Petersberger
Music: Guitarist/singer Spice Kleinmann and friends

“What are you going to do when people start calling in crisis because of the current global financial meltdown?” This question was asked of the Rev. Clare at a recent Committee on Ministry meeting. While Rev. Clare can provide pastoral support and practical, moral support is being offered through TUUC’s Social Action projects. One of the ways we move through difficult times, as individuals, is by reaching out and helping others. Today we celebrate the social action we will be undertaking as a community this year as we meet difficult times ahead together. A special collection will be taken to support these projects.

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9:30 and 11:15 AM

Mimi Marks, Laurie Meister, Rev. Clare Petersberger,
Music: First service - TUUC Choir,
Second service - Pianist Joseph Gascho and friends

No, today’s worship service is not about pizza or the postal service; the delivery of DVD’s through the mail or dinners for those without transportation. It’s about people and passion; creativity and caring; exploration and introspection. It’s about strands in the web of the beloved community we call TUUC and those who weave them together.

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9:30 and 11:15 AM

Michael Benefiel, Marilyn Thorn, Rev. Clare Petersberger
Music: pianist Ina Allen and oboist Paul Stapp

In honor of our annual “Guest At Your Table,” program, this morning we hope to have two guest speakers talk to us about what Unitarian Universalist youth are doing to advocate and advance human rights. Michael Benefiel is the coordinator for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in the Joseph Priestley District. He has been on several work camp programs through the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and knows, first hand, that “Advancing human rights is the work of many joining hands.” He’s invited Nguyen Weeks to come share with us, as well. Nguyen works in the UUSC office in Boston. She creates and facilitates advocacy opportunities for UU Youth. Nguyen confirms that “No movement is as effective as one with youth presence and participation.” Today we celebrate how the next generation of UU’s is advancing human rights and what we might do to support them.

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9:30 and 11:15 AM

Derek Perner, Marilyn Carlisle, Carel Hedlund and
Rev. Clare Petersberger
Music: First service - pianist Joseph Gascho and friends,
Second service - TUUC Choir

This morning we celebrate our work, together, over the past two years to become a certified Green Sanctuary congregation through the UU Ministry for the Earth. Members of our Green Sanctuary will give their credos. And we will watch a portion of the DVD from General Assembly in which Van Jones speaks with passion about the possibilities for a Green Economy. Today’s inspiring stories about ministry and stewardship of the earth will leave you feeling grateful!

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10:30 AM – One Service Only

Fall Special Music Sunday with the TUUC Choir, Orchestra and soloists

While the great German composer J.S. Bach never experienced the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving, he wrote a beautiful cantata that fits this grateful season: Nun danket alle Gott. Translated as "Now Thank We All Our God," this piece is based on a traditional text of thanksgiving. Additionally, music director Joseph Gascho's arrangement of "Fall" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons provides a more rustic and humourous take on the holiday. The TUUC choir will be joined by a chamber orchestra of baroque instruments, soprano Laura Choir Stewart and baritone John Dooley.

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This month’s worship theme is dedicated to journeys through time and through space which guide our minds, hearts, and feet to the best we know. -- Rev. Clare

9:30 and 11:15 AM

Rev. Clare Petersberger & Joyce Duncan, director of youth religious education
Music: Joseph Gascho, piano, for both services

Advent is from a Latin word that means “coming.” In the Christian tradition, it is a time of waiting and preparing for the birth of Jesus. What do these days mean to you? For what are you waiting? For what are you preparing? For what are you hoping?

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9:30 and 11:15 AM

Rev. Clare Petersberger
Music: Ina Allen, piano, for both services

No, this title is not a modern version of the Nativity story, describing Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. It comes, instead, from the ending of John Milton’s epic poem about Adam and Eve in Paradise Lost. Milton was born 400 years ago this past Tuesday. What was the theology he built and how has it influenced our own? This morning we celebrate paradise lost and regained through the creativity and courage of John Milton. We will also be collecting Guest at Your Table boxes for the UUSC.

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10:30 AM (one service only)

Members of the Intergenerational Arts Coalition (IAC) and
Daughters of the Meadow Coven
Music: IAC, Daughters & Friends

We continue to celebrate Winter Solstice and the return of the light through song, broom dancing, a walking and a seated meditation, and lighting of candles. Adult and child members of the IAC will also present a play about the sun's return through the act of baking bread. This Sun Bread will be baked during the service and eaten afterwards. We will also be collecting mittens/hats/scarves for the homeless. Please bring your brooms (craft are best) and join us in making merry with the Daughters of the Meadow!

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5:30 PM

Rev. Clare Petersberger and Joyce Duncan, director of youth religious exploration
Music: Joseph Gascho piano

Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the rededication of the Jewish temple when enough oil for one night burned for eight days. Christmas commemorates the miracle of the birth of God in human form. This year, these two “miracle” stories are being retold this week. What is a miracle for Unitarian Universalists? What miracle might happen in your life in the days to come? Our early Christmas Eve service is traditionally for families with young children.

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7:30 PM

Rev. Clare Petersberger
Music: Joseph Gascho, music director and the TUUC Choir

What was Christmas like in the Renaissance? Shakespeare paints a very peaceful portrait in Hamlet: “Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, This bird of dawning singeth all night long, And then they say no spirit dare stir abroad, The nights are wholesome, then no planets strike, No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm, So hallowed, and so gracious, is that time.” The historical record shows that Christmas was not always so peaceful in the Renaissance. Much like our lives, today. Tonight we celebrate both the ideal and the real of Christmas through songs and stories from the Renaissance.

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10:30 AM (one service only)

"What Can Children Teach Adults?

John Crovis and Tara McIntyre, worship associates
Music: Ina Allen, piano