The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara has two services on Sunday at 9:30 and 11:30 AM. Sunday, December 21, 2008, Rev. Aaron McEmrys will speak and the topic will be A Winter’s Tale. Sunday, December 28, 2008, Rev. Aaron McEmrys will speak and the topic will be That Still, Small, Voice.
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.