Christmas Eve Services. Wednesday, December 24, 5 & 7 PM. This special Christmas Eve our services are centered on the blessings of Faith, Hope, & Love with traditional carols as well as new music reflecting the sentiment of the season. From a candle-lit Gaudete to our traditional Silent Night around the fountain, these services are sure to warm your heart. Guest Guitarist Anthony Ybarra will be on hand to add a special touch to our caroling. In the first service our own Youth Choir led by Viava Janusoniene will be a special treat. Carol singing before & after each service will make this holiday a special experience of music, Christmas spirit & community.

Chancel Choir. Special choir rehearsal for Christmas Eve services, Saturday, December 20, 9 AM-12 PM. If your singing with us Christmas Eve, be there! Ken Ryals.

Congregation Potluck & Theatre Night Grand Opening with Chuck Wolfe! Saturday, December 20, 5:45 PM, Parish Hall. Bride & Prejudice puts a cross-cultural spin on Jane Austen’s story of spirited courtship. Come early & bring food to share. We’ll eat about 5:45 so the movie can start about 7! Those who can, please come by 5 PM to help set-up. Bruce Hanna.

Our Outreach Offering Sunday will be for CAUU Legislative Ministry California in Sacramento with whom our congregation has a covenant of collaboration to support. UULM advocates for us in Sacramento in the areas of healthcare, marriage equality, & climate change/water justice.

Foodbank Food Drive Sunday. There are barrels in the courtyard to collect your donations to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Your donations are appreciated.

RE Family Caroling Sunday Night, 6:30-8:30 PM. Begin the evening singing for the residents of Sarah House then carol through Santa Barbara Convalescent Hospital. Meet at Sarah House, 2612 Modoc Rd., at 6:30 PM. Wear a Santa hat if you have one. Charla Bregante.

Our USSB Outreach. This week we mailed over 1,700 colorful postcards to targeted households (young adults and young families) in Santa Barbara. Now you can help spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to our Sunday and Christmas Eve Services! Pick up some postcards at the Welcome Table on Sunday morning to hand out, or add your own first class postage and mail.

Invite Your Friends and Neighbors to Our Services! Drop by the Welcome Table for some new USSB postcards to invite folks to our Sunday& Christmas Eve Services. Just add you own 1st class postage!

Domestic Violence Solutions Gift Cards: Many people have taken cards from the Christmas Tree in Parish Hall this past week. Thank you! For Christmas delivery, please bring your gifts to the reception office Sunday. There are still about 20 cards on the tree. Gifts brought after Sunday’s deadline may still be dropped off at the reception office.

Holiday Gifts & Stocking Stuffers. Support USSB & choose handmade note cards, bookmarks, shopping bags with our local UU logo, Story People whimsical prints & books, & Good Taste cookbooks. Check it out in the reception office!

Wrap Your Gifts in a Novel Way! Pick up UU green shopping bags “Green Thoughts into Action…Heal the World,” $5 each in reception office. These make an easy & non-polluting way to wrap gifts. Just put your gift in with some tissue & add a bow. Voila! Wrapped & functional!

Social Justice Holiday Cards. Celebrate the holidays while supporting UUSC’s focus areas: defending civil liberties & democratic processes, advancing economic issues, environmental justice; & protecting rights in humanitarian crisis. Available at the Social Justice table Sunday, $15.

Our Christmas Eve Offertory: We continue our practice of donating our Christmas Eve Service Offertories to a local effort & an international effort. This year half of the monies collected will benefit the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County & half will fund the launching of the USSB micro-credit lending team through Kiva. Learn more at www.kiva.org.

Have a UU Workshop Idea to Share with Other Congregations? Proposals must be received by December 31. If chosen they will be presented at the PSWD Assembly May 1-3, 2009, in Mesa, AZ. Topics: personal/spiritual dev’t, social action, church org., or District/UUA workings on the theme Open Doors, Open Hearts: Exploring Our Sources. Bruce Hanna or fliers in Parish Hall.

Proposal should include:

-Presenter(s) name(s) and contact email address0 (if any.)

-Congregational or group affiliation

-A description NOT LONGER THAN 85 words for the District Assembly booklet

-The audience you will address

-Your street address and telephone number

-Workshop Title

-A longer description for the District Assembly Planning committee if necessary

-How it fits the theme

Send proposals to: Carolyn Saunders, c_saunders1@msn.com, 520-299-3854,or mail to 4686 E. Camino Rosa, Tucson, AZ 85718.

Circle of Friends (formerly Vespers). Wednesday, January 7, 6 PM, La Paz Lounge. 6-6:30 PM Potluck, 6:30-8 Service. Focuses on spirituality, personal sharing, building community & awareness of our natural environment. Facilitated by Lucinda Eileen. Karolyn Renard.

Alliance Meeting. Friday, January 9, 2 PM, Parish Hall. Everyone is invited. The program will be about the work of the Alpha Resource Center of Santa Barbara in helping mentally challenged people. Refreshments provided. Betty Beckwith.

Employment Opportunity. USSB is currently accepting applications for to the position of Childcare Coordinator. Contact Rev. Melitta Haslund, 965-4583 x229, for further information.

Parking Ministry. Volunteer to be a valet or shuttle driver to ensure that all of our members, especially our elders, feel welcome & included. If you are able, please leave the closest parking spaces at the Society free & enjoy a short walk to Sunday service. See Kaleidoscope for details. For info & to volunteer, Tammy Shorb.

Dogs on Campus. For the comfort & safety of all our congregants, only service dogs are allowed on campus on Sunday mornings.

Youth Choir. Sundays, 10:45-11:30 AM, Jefferson Hall. Youth Choir is open to all children ages 5-12. No previous musical experience necessary. Contact Viava Janusoniene.

Chancel Choir. Thursdays, 7 PM, Parish Hall. This choir has an open policy to all members & friends of USSB. If you’ve got the music in you, come let it out Thursday evenings. Come join us! Ken Ryals.

Kaleidoscope submission deadline is December 31 for January 17-30.

The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara has two services on Sunday at 9:30 and 11:30 AM. Sunday, November 30, 2008, Rev. Aaron McEmrys will speak and the topic will be Where Have All the Honey Bees Gone? Sunday, December 7, 2008, Rev. Aaron McEmrys will speak and the topic will be On Pearl Harbor Day: The Essential Causes of War.

Sunday’s Music: Natasha Kislenko, our pianist, will play The Flight of the Bumble Bee by N. Rimsky-Korsakov.

RE Spirit Play Sunday. After the story for all ages, all children will go to Jefferson Hall to learn songs with Vaiva. Children will then have the opportunity to create their very own Googley-Eyed Gratitude Monster! Please pick up your children in Starr King following the service.

Alliance Donations Drive. Sunday, November 30. The Alliance will be collecting items for the U.S. Military at the Alliance table in the Garden. See the table for a list of needed items. Betty Beckwith.

Social Justice Holiday Cards. Celebrate the holidays while supporting UUSC’s focus areas: defending civil liberties & democratic processes, advancing economic issues, environmental justice; & protecting rights in humanitarian crisis. Available at the Social Justice Table Sunday. $15.

Super Heroes Unite! You Haven’t Missed Out! Last day of Auction sales is Sunday, November 30. If you “got skunked” at the auction, this is a great time to round out your social calendar for the year. See all details on the insert, & Sunday in the reception office .

The New USSB Photo Directories are available in the Parish Garden. Members & friends who had their pictures taken can pick up a free copy during our community social hour at 10:30 AM.

Advent Organ Concert. Sunday, 3:30 PM, Trinity Episcopal Church. 1500 State St.. Our beloved organist emeritus, Mahlon Balderston, will be performing a concert of advent music this Sunday afternoon. As always, his virtuoso playing is not to be missed!

Parking Ministry Begins! Volunteer to be a valet or shuttle driver to ensure that all of our members, especially our elders, feel welcome & included. If you are able, please leave the closest parking spaces at the Society free & enjoy a short walk to Sunday service. See Kaleidoscope for details. For info & to volunteer, Tammy Shorb.

Articulating Your UU Faith. Thursday, December 4, 7-9 PM. Ever feel ill equipped to succinctly respond to the question, “What do Unitarian Universalists believe?” Through personal reflection, role-play & discussion, participants prepare to communicate their liberal ideals. Facilitated by Rev. Melitta Haslund. Sign up in the garden.

Alliance Meeting. Friday, December 5, 2 PM, Parish Hall. All are welcome to a program of Holiday music by Ken Ryals, our new, enthusiastic & talented Choir Director. Refreshments provided.

Love, Sex, and the Human Condition: Getting a Life by Lex Crane. Sunday, December 7, Parish Garden. Our Minister Emeritus will sign his book at Coffee Hour. “What it takes to be fully alive & engaged in a time like ours…Witty…fresh & profound.” Copies available in the front office.

Young Adult Group. Sunday, December 7, at 1 PM, Ledbetter Beach. The USSB Young Adult Group is being started up again! If you are between the ages of 19 & 40, you’re invited to our 2008 kick-off event. Please bring your friends. Joya.

Indian Classical Music Concert. December 7, 3 PM, Sanctuary. The Music Committee brings us outstanding Classical Indian musicians, Vikash Maharaj and his son Prabhash, who are expert Sarod and Tabla musicians.. Tickets available at the door. John Warnockt.

Dogs on Campus. For the comfort & safety of all our congregants, only service dogs are allowed on campus Sunday mornings.

Youth Choir. Sundays, 10:45-11:30 AM, Jefferson Hall. Youth Choir is open to all children ages 5-12. No previous musical experience necessary. Contact Viava Janusoniene for further information.

Chancel Choir. Thursdays, 7 PM, Parish Hall. This choir has an open policy to all members & friends of USSB. If you’ve got the music in you, come let it out Thursday evenings. Watch for special Christmas rehearsals & come join us! Ken Ryals.

Kaleidoscope submission deadline is December 3 for December 20- January 2.

Sunday, November 23 Food Collection: A reminder that we will collect non-perishable items for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County in the Parish Garden on Sunday. Please bring your items with you when you come to Worship.

Secret Pals Brunch Sunday! 10:45 AM, Parish Hall. All identities will be revealed. If you have been participating in the Secret Pals program these past few weeks, come get to know your pal & enjoy a brunch provided by the parents of our young pals. And don’t forget to check the mailbox one last time!

Thanksgiving Food Drive for Foodbank of SB County. Sunday, November 23, there will be barrels in the courtyard to collect your non-perishable donations. The Foodbank needs all kinds of food but is especially in need of Tuna, Beans, Peanut Butter, Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Coffee/Tea, Flour, Sugar, Cereal, Rice, Pasta, & Diapers. Your donations will mean so much to our neighbors in need.

Alliance Donations Drive. Sunday, November 23 & 30. The Alliance will be collecting items for the U.S. Military at the Alliance table in the Garden. See the table for a list of needed items. Betty Beckwith.

Social Justice Holiday Cards. Celebrate the holidays while supporting UUSC’s focus areas: defending civil liberties & democratic processes, advancing economic issues, environmental justice; & protecting rights in humanitarian crisis. Available at the Social Justice Table Sunday. $15.

Super Heroes Unite! You Haven’t Missed Out! If you were unable to attend our Super Hero Services Auction, fear not! Look over the insert in the upcoming Kaleidoscope for events & items that remain available for your generous donation. If you “got skunked” at the auction, this is a great time to round out your social calendar for the year. See all details on the insert, & Sunday in the garden.

The New USSB Photo Directories are available in the Parish Garden. Members & friends who had their pictures taken can pick up a free copy during our community social hour at 10:30 AM.

Parking Ministry Begins! Volunteer to be a valet or shuttle driver to ensure that all of our members, especially our elders, feel welcome & included. If you are able, please leave the closest parking spaces at the Society free & enjoy a short walk to Sunday service. See Kaleidoscope for details. For info & to volunteer, Tammy Shorb.

Women’s Group. Sunday, November 23, 7 PM, Jefferson Hall. The 2nd program of Evensong is starting & we ask that you commit to as many meetings as possible for continuity and community. Joanne Nay or Carlene Van Pelt.

Seasoned Seekers. Tuesday, November 25, Valle Verde Retirement Community, 900 Calle de los Amigos. Group Discussion on Thanksgiving led by Helen Gordon. Details or a ride, Ginny.

Thanksgiving Dinner. This was mistakenly mentioned in the recent Kaleidoscope as open. This even is now sold out.

Articulating Your UU Faith. Thursday, December 4, 7-9 PM. Ever feel ill equipped to succinctly respond to the question, “What do Unitarian Universalists believe?” Through personal reflection, role-play & discussion, participants prepare to communicate their liberal ideals. Facilitated by Rev. Melitta Haslund. Sign up in the garden.

Alliance Meeting. Friday, December 5, 2 PM, Parish Hall. All are welcome to a program of Holiday music by Ken Ryals, our new, enthusiastic & talented Choir Director. Refreshments provided.

Love, Sex, and the Human Condition: Getting a Life by Lex Crane. Sunday, December 7, Parish Garden. Our Minister Emeritus will sign his book at Coffee Hour. “What it takes to be fully alive & engaged in a time like ours…Witty…fresh & profound.” Copies available in the front office.

Young Adult Group. Sunday, December 7, at 1 PM, Ledbetter Beach. The USSB Young Adult Group is being started up again! If you are between the ages of 19 & 40, you’re invited to our 2008 kick-off event. Please bring your friends. Joya.

Dogs on Campus. For the comfort & safety of all our congregants, only service dogs are allowed on campus Sunday mornings.

Youth Choir. Sundays, 10:45-11:30 AM, Jefferson Hall. Youth Choir is open to all children ages 5-12. No previous musical experience necessary. Contact Viava Janusoniene for further information.

Chancel Choir. Thursdays, 7 PM, Parish Hall. This choir has an open policy to all members & friends of USSB. If you’ve got the music in you, come let it out Thursday evenings. Watch for special Christmas rehearsals & come join us! Ken Ryals

.

Kaleidoscope submission deadline is December 3 for December 20- January 2.

Super Heroes Unite! You and your sUUper UU Fellowship powers are needed at our Annual Services Auction on Saturday, November 8, Parish Hall 5-9 PM. Don’t miss this call to our “Halls of jUUstice”! Remember, admission is free, childcare is free, fUUn is free and food (substantial hors d’oeuvres) is free.

Social Justice Presentation. Sunday, November 9, 10:40 AM, Parish Hall. Come celebrate USSB’s commitment to Social Justice, a cornerstone of our congregation. See our PowerPoint photos of past and present events, projects where we are truly making a difference in our community, and in ourselves. “The preview was terrific!”

Service Auction Receipts and Purchases are available this morning. Please stop by the table in the garden today to pick up your purchase report, and save us more postage!

Secret Pals. Kids and adults, if you signed up for Secret Pals, check the S.P. mailbox on the RE table in the Garden after RE classes. Secret Pals runs through November 23.

The New USSB Photo Directories are available in the Parish Garden. Members and friends who had their pictures taken can pick up a free copy during our community social hour at 10:30 AM.

Women’s Writing Circle. Mondays, November 10-December 15, 6-8:30 PM, La Paz Lounge. The Circle is a safe, productive community of writing women who together share and explore a female language based on trust, commonality, experience, biology, wisdom, challenge, and Mystery. Meets for six consecutive Monday evenings. Seven women per Circle. Facilitated by Sukey Briggs.

Articulating Your UU Faith. Thursday, November 13, 7-9 PM. Ever feel ill equipped to succinctly respond to the question, “What do Unitarian Universalists believe?” Through personal reflection, role-play and discussion, participants will become better prepared to communicate their liberal religious ideals. Facilitated by Rev. Melitta Haslund. Sign up in the garden.

RE Family Fun Night. Friday, November 14, 6-8 PM, Jefferson Hall. Join RE families for fellowship and a potluck dinner, followed by folk dancing lead by youth choir director, Vaiva Janusoniene. Please bring a dish to share and your own plates, cups and flatware.

Congregation Potluck. Saturday, November 15, 6 PM, Parish Hall. Sign up in the garden Sunday. RSVP to Bruce or Beverly Hanna & help with setup/cleanup.

Parking Ministry Begins! Beginning Sunday, November 16. Volunteer to be a valet or shuttle driver to ensure that all of our members, especially our elders, feel welcome and included. If you are able, please leave the closest parking spaces at the Society free & enjoy a short walk to Sunday service. See next Kaleidoscope for details. For info & to volunteer

Natasha Kislenko Concert. Sunday, November 16, 3 PM, Sanctuary. Come hear our wonderful pianist, UCSB and Music Academy of the West faculty member, in a benefit concert of works by Bach, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev & Scriabin. $10 donation. Reception to follow in Parish Hall.

Youth Choir. Sundays, 10:45-11:30 AM, Jefferson Hall. Youth Choir is open to all children ages 5-12. No previous musical experience necessary. Contact Viava Janusoniene for further information.

Chancel Choir. Thursdays, 7 PM, Parish Hall. This choir has an open policy to all members & friends of this congregation. If you’ve got the music in you, come let it out with us Thursday evening. Watch for special Christmas rehearsals and come join us! Ken Ryals.

Kaleidoscope submission deadline is: November 19 for December 6-19.

Sunday’s Music. Natasha Kislenko, our pianist, will play Claire de Lune & Cake Walk by Claude Debussy, & Old Castle from Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.

How might your UU values influence your vote ballot propositions? Pick up a position summary compiled by the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network at the Social Justice table Sunday! www.UULMCA.org.

Religious Education Classes. RE classes will continue to work on crafts to support our upcoming Services Auction during the 9:30 AM service. Coming of Age meets at 9:30. YRUU, our teen group, meets during the 11:30 AM service. All children & teens begin in the sanctuary with their families. Childcare is available for babies & young children during both services in Starr King.

Secret Pals begins Sunday! Kids, if you signed up for Secret Pals, check the S.P. mailbox on the RE table in the Garden after RE classes. Secret Pals runs through November 23.

The New USSB Photo Directories are available in the Parish Garden beginning Sunday! Members and friends who had their pictures taken can pick up a free copy during our community social hour at 10:30 AM.

Proposition 8: Walking Our Talk! Sunday, October 26, 11 AM-1 PM, Classroom 1. Please join us for another fun-filled phone banking session this Sunday morning! We’ll begin with 30 minutes of training, followed by 90 minutes of phone banking using our personal cell phones to encourage undecided voters to vote against Prop 8. This is really our last chance to make these contacts before the election, so please join us! You can also get plenty of No on Prop 8 buttons and yard signs at our Social Justice table – we encourage you to display them proudly. Check out our excellent and eye-catching banner right outside the sanctuary on Santa Barbara St.!

Women’s Group Sundays, Sunday, October 26, 7 PM, Jefferson Hall. Come share spiritual experiences & feel the support of the group. Contact Carlene Van Pelt or Joanne Nay.

No on Prop 8 Rally. Monday, October 27, Noon, Santa Barbara Courthouse Sunken Gardens. Hear Rev. Aaron McEmrys speak at the “Santa Barbarans Vow to Stop Marriage Discrimination” Vote No on Prop 8 Press Conference. Gather at Parish Hall at 11:30 AM, collect our banners, and walk together to the Press Conference!

Seasoned Seekers. Tuesday, October 28, 3 PM, Vista del Monte Retirement Community, Sierra Madre Lounge, 3775 Modoc Road. An Experiment in Communal Living with Rev. Aaron McEmrys. An experiment in the Transcendentalist movement that had a lasting impact on Unitarianism & America.

Faith & Justice: The Hard Questions. Thursday, October 30, 7-9:30 PM, Jefferson Hall; November 6, B’Nai B’rith; November 13, First United Methodist Church. Dialogue about the challenges of responding to the disadvantaged. Register www.justcommunitiescc.org. Info at info@justcommunitiescc.org, 966-2063. $15 for series.

Ice Cream Social, Pie Contest & Spelling Bee. Saturday, November 1, 6:30 PM, Parish Hall. Best homemade pie wins a cookbook. Free pie & ice cream! Birdie Newborn emcees the Youth & Adult Spelling Bee. Audience will play Drow Bremslac (Word Scramble). Awards for Spelling Bee champions. Hosts by Birdie Newborn & Thia LaMarche.

Alliance Meeting. Friday, November 7, 2 PM, Parish Hall. Sandy Grasso-Boyd talks about the Social Justice Committee & members who helped Gulf Coast hurricane survivors. Refreshments.

Save the Date! Annual Services Auction. November 8, 5-9 PM.

Our Building Project continues in full swing! Take time to visit our blog at: http://ussbbuildingproject.blogspot.com to follow the progress.

Youth Choir. Sundays, 11 AM, Jefferson Hall. Youth Choir is open to all children ages 5-12. No previous musical experience necessary. Contact Viava Janusoniene for further information.

Chancel Choir. Thursdays, 7 PM, Parish Hall. This choir has an open policy to all members & friends of this congregation. If you’ve got the music in you, come let it out with us Thursday evening. Ken Ryals.

Kaleidoscope submission deadline is: November 4 for November 22-December 5.