UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICES
THEME FOR DECEMBER: “CHOOSING HOPE”
December 7
Saying ‘Yes’ to Hope
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
10:30 AM
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, Kara Tyler, Director of Religious Education, Sheila Malenski, Chair of Membership, New TUUC Members, Juliana Jaime, Sharen Camille, Interim Choir Director, Andrew Greenwood, pianist, and The TUUC Choir
A few weeks ago, Juliana asked if she could bring to us a tradition from her home of origin. In Colombia, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on the eve of December 7 with Noche de las Velitas—Night of the Little Candles—a beloved festival of light. Homes, windowsills, balconies, sidewalks, and public plazas are illuminated with candles and lanterns, symbolizing purity, new beginnings, and the welcoming of Mary’s “yes” to possibility. In today’s service, we will honor this Colombian festival of light and reflect on the ways we say yes to one another and to compassion for all whose paths we cross. We will welcome our newest members who answered “Yes” to belonging to our beloved community. And our TUUC Choir will sing for the first time since October 12 under the direction of our Interim Choir Director, Sharen Camille and with the accompaniment of Andrew Greenwood. Today we are saying “Yes” to hope!
December 14
Choosing Hope
10:30 AM
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, Kara Tyler, Director of Religious Education, Sharen Camille, Interim Choir Director, and Andrew Greenwood, pianist
The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah begins tonight. The rabbis will retell the story of how the Hebrew people chose hope over certainty. It was hope that led them to kindle a flame even when there seemed to be too little fuel. It was hope that they could rededicate themselves to their cherished values. Today we reflect on what it means to choose hope as a spiritual practice in our time When has choosing hope been a small, brave act in your life? What hope are you choosing to kindle, this December? How can we, as a congregation, carry the flame of hope into the world around us---thereby spreading hope to others? Larry Magder will light the first candle of Hanukkah. You will not want to miss our fun (and hopeful!) time for all ages!
December 21
Intergenerational Celebration of Yalda Night
10:30 AM
Ali Karimian, Emily Bitner, Kara Tyler, Todd Robertson, Lauren Franco, Juliana Jaime, Fynn Tyler, Amir Manbachi, and Kris Faatz, accompanist
The 14th century Persian poet, Haafez wrote, “The night might seem endless, but dawn is surely near, and with it, the promise of light.” This encapsulates the hope of Yalda night, the ancient Persian festival honoring the longest and darkest night of the year. This year, the Karimian family will help our congregation of all ages to celebrate Yalda night and the promise and hope of returning light. Although we won’t eat watermelon or pomegranates (two of the traditional foods for Yalda Night) in the Meeting Room, we will lift up how the red of both are for the dawn and the sun’s return. And we will reflect together on what helps us to feel safe, connected, and hopeful on long winter nights.
December 24
What Child Is This?
Family Christmas Eve Service
5:30 PM
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, Kara Tyler, Director of Religious Education, Spice Kleinmann, Kris Faatz, pianist
This year, our students in Making Faith are studying the religions of the world. In a few weeks, they will begin to study Christianity. Tonight, in our service for all ages, we will wonder, as we retell the story of a child born in a humble stable, “What child is this?” We will affirm the truth that “Every night a child is born is a holy night.” And we will celebrate how hope, love, and courage are born in unexpected places.
December 24
Subversive Hope
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:30 PM
Rev. Clare L. Petersberger, Sharen Camille, Interim Choir Director and The TUUC Choir, and Kris Faatz, pianist
Tonight we retell an ancient story of a baby born under occupation. The news was first delivered to shepherds (who were at the margins of society.) Kings from a foreign land traveled a long distance to worship the baby and bring him royal gifts in the manger where he lay. The parents of the baby had to flee to another country to keep the baby safe. It is an ancient story of how love, not empire, has the final word. It is a story of subversive hope that we need, tonight, more than ever.
December 28
Hopes & Fears & the Coming Year
10:30 AM
Dominique Hall, Sheila Malenski, Chair of Membership, Marianne DeBow, New TUUC Members
In response to cultural sentiments of isolation and unease, Candy Chang and James A. Reeves collaborated with the Rubin Museum of Art to create a community-built exhibit entitled A Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful. Visitors to the exhibit were invited to write down their hopes and/or anxieties on a piece of paper and add them to the contributions of previous visitors. In this service, we will explore surprising connections between hope and anxiety revealed by this experimental artwork, and share our hopes (and anxieties) for the coming year.