Sunday, December 9 - 10:30 AM

“A Ceremony of Carols”
Annual Choir Christmas Service
Rev. Tim Kutzmark, Dr. Mark Bennett, UUCR Choir

Join us for the start of the UUCR Holiday Season with our annual Holiday Choir Service. This will be a service of gentle, peaceful and soothing sounds, as our choir shares a variety of holiday selections, including excerpts from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols.”  Dr. Mark Bennett (Choir Director), George White (Organist), and the UUCR Choir have been hard at work preparing for this highly anticipated service. In between musical pieces, Rev. Tim will lead us in times of readings, reflection, and prayer. We’ll celebrate Hanukah by lighting our menorah.  Please Note:  Join Rev. Tim for a Newcomers Tea and Tour immediately after the service.  This is an informal, friendly time to ask questions, get a basic introduction to Unitarian Universalism, and have a guided walk-through of the church campus.  Kids and adults are welcome, and light refreshments will be served.  Meet in Tim’s office after the service.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007 – 7:30 to 8:30 PM

“Sanctuary:  An Evening of Stillness and Reflection”
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

Escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and join Rev. Tim for this quiet, candle-lit time of spiritual reflection.

Sunday, December 16, 2007 – 10:30 AM

“Total Control Religion”
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

Come to hear the story of a brave religious liberal and how he fought to make God accessible to all people, not just a privileged few.  Come to hear the story of a class struggle, a spiritual struggle, and the struggle for religious liberty. Come to hear the terrible mistake that cost this brave one his life, a mistake that took five hundred years to be acknowledged.  And come celebrate the legacy of religious free-thinking that lives on through us

Sunday, December 16, 2007 (Special 4:00 PM Service)

“When The Holidays Hurt – A Service of Support”
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

Join Rev. Tim for a gentle service of support for anyone who finds themselves grieving a loss, or challenged, hurting, or struggling during this holiday season. The holidays can be such a difficult time for many of us.  With all the colors, and lights, and songs and parties, it can be hard to find a quiet place that acknowledges some of us are struggling.  Perhaps we've lost a loved one, or a job, or our sense of hope.  Perhaps we struggle with depression or stress or anxiety.  Perhaps someone we love is ill, or we are ill.  Perhaps we feel alone.  Perhaps we don't celebrate Christmas because it is not part of our spiritual tradition. We are opening our doors to anyone who hurts in any way this holiday season, and offering a safe and healing place for comfort and support.  Everyone from the community is welcome.  Special music by Roald Wilson (Please note special 4:00 PM time)

NEWCOMERS TEA AND TOUR

Join Rev. Tim after the service on Sunday, December 9th for a casual, comfortable chance to talk, ask questions, have a tour of the church campus, and learn a little bit more about Unitarian Universalism.  We’ll have snacks for adult and kids.  Nothing fancy.  Just friendly.  We hope to see you. (We'll meet at Tim's office after the service)

POINSETTIAS FOR OUR HOLIDAY SERVICES - ORDER DEADLINE DECEMBER 11, 2007

We are asking UUCR members and friends to help beautify our sanctuary for the upcoming Christmas Services. Order a red poinsettia ($17.00). The poinsettias will decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas Sunday, December 23rd and Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24th. You may take your poinsettia home after the second service on the 24th of December or you may leave it and it will beautify the Sanctuary throughout the remainder of December. We ask that you indicate when paying whether or not you would like to take your plant(s) home after 2nd service. We are asking for poinsettia dedications, in memory of or in celebration of a loved one. Please send a check made out to UUCR for $17.00 per plant ordered, with your dedication(s) specified to Rosemary, Church Office, UUCR, 239 Woburn St., Reading, MA 01867. Please print the Poinsettia form, fill it out, and enclose it with your check.

Holiday Happenings at UUCR

Friday, December 7 at 7:00 PM “Christmas at Yellowstone”

Bring your popcorn and pillows for this film perfect for all ages.  Sponsored by our Green Sanctuary Committee and Adult Enrichment.  Loring House Room 103.

Sunday, December 9 at 10:30 AM -  “Annual Christmas Choir Service”

Dr. Mark Bennett and the UUCR Choir start-off our holiday season
on the right note.  Rev. Tim leads worship.

Sunday, December 9 -  “Unplug the Holiday Machine—A Workshop For Parents” 12:00 PM-2:00 PM

Can we, as parents and Unitarian Universalists, slow down our lives to enjoy a gentle, inspirational winter season?  Join Aileen Dashurova, Director of Religious Education, and explore traditions and ideas for a relaxing and fulfilling Holiday Season.  Create strategies for nurturing family time and establishing boundaries with ourselves, our children, and those tugging at us from every side!  A light lunch and childcare will be provided.

Wednesday, December 12 -  “Sanctuary: An Evening of Stillness and Reflection” 7:30 – 8:30 PM

Escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and join Rev. Tim
for this quiet, candle-lit time of spiritual reflection.

Sunday, December 16 (afternoon) - “Holiday Open Houses”

New faces and long time members are invited to share good holiday cheer and company.
See newsletter and web site for more details.

Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 pm - “When The Holidays Hurt”

Join Rev. Tim for a gentle service of support for anyone who finds themselves grieving a loss, or challenged, hurting, or struggling during this holiday season.

Saturday, December 22 at 5:00 PM - “Evening Winter Solstice Celebration”

Join us on the night of the Winter Solstice for an intergenerational celebration. 
Worship will be created and led by the teens of our Senior High Youth Program. 
Pot-luck and party/dance follows.
Families, singles, youngsters, seniors and everyone in between are welcome.

Sunday, December 23, at 10:30 AM - “The Darkness Before the Dawn”

As we pass through the longest night of the year,
join us for a special service reflecting on the spiritual gifts of darkness and night. 
As winter enfolds us, come find comfort and meaning in the coldness and the night.

Monday, December 24 - Traditional Candle-light Christmas Eve Service 5:30 and 7:15 PM

Join us for this sacred evening of story, carols, and hope renewed.
The 5:30 pm “family service” is more suited to younger children who might need to wiggle a bit.  The 7:15 pm service will have more reflective moments. 
Choose the service that fits your needs or your schedule. 

Sunday, January 6 at 10:30 AM - “Looking Back, Looking Forward”

Begin the New Year with a celebration of the past year, of those who have passed into the mysteries of death, and of life itself.  Everyone will have an opportunity to light a candle to honor loved ones and friends who have died in the past year.  Acclaimed Boston vocalist Michael Ricca will provide special music and help us look forward with anticipation as we welcome in the New Year.

Dear Friends:

It feels wonderful to be celebrating the holidays this year in our new sanctuary and expanded church campus.  I can’t wait to see the poinsettias and candles in the sanctuary, the wreaths on the door, and the luminaria lining the sidewalks and street on Christmas Eve.  No matter what your religious belief, this is a season of song, story, greenery, and lights.  It can be a season of spiritual renewal and hope restored.

But we also enter this time surrounded by many questions.  As we look at the headlines and our world, many of us wonder how we are to live in this uncertain, troubling time.  As we look at our church community, many of us wonder how we are going to negotiate this transition time of growth.  In numbers, we’ve moved from a smallish family-sized church to a vibrant mid-sized church.  Things have already changed.  But emotionally, we’re still figuring out how to ‘be’ who we’ve become.

How do we keep the warmth and welcome that drew us all here in the first place?  How do we find friendship in the midst of so many faces?  Can we create small group experiences that will connect us to each other and our spirit?  How do we make sure that this church is concerned with caring for others beyond our walls?  How can social justice become our hallmark?

As exciting as this all is, we also need to know that all this growth and change is quite tiring.  December could be a good month to ‘press pause.’

There are so many answers we need to discover in the next months.  But I wonder, do we need to rush forward to find them today?  January will be here soon enough with the fast moving impulses and energies of a New Year.

Even as the cold night stretches out with starry silence, we are being wrapped in a natural stillness.  This stillness of the season is inviting us to stop, wait, and listen.  What gentle guidance needs to whisper to us?

The guidance we need won’t be found in the last minute shopping rush or at the festive company Christmas party.  It won’t be found in the race to get our holiday cards in the mail or in the late night wrapping of presents.

Let us find ways to make December a time of quiet stillness.  Our worship services this month are being designed to explore the spiritual insights found by stopping, waiting, and listening.  Aileen Dashurova is facilitating a special workshop for parents (childcare and lunch provided) to help us “Unplug the Holiday Machine” and reclaim the most meaningful parts of the holiday season (Sunday, Dec. 9 from 12:00 noon to 2 pm).  I’ll be leading a gentle Wednesday evening Spiritual Vespers service for quiet contemplation (Dec. 12 at 7:30 pm), and a special Sunday afternoon service of support and healing for those of us who find ourselves challenged or hurting this season (Sunday, Dec. 16 at 4:00 pm),.  Our wonderful teen are creating and leading a Saturday night Winter Solstice Service and pot luck dinner for everyone (Dec. 22 at 5:00 pm).  I know I wouldn’t miss it.  On December 23, our Sunday morning service will explore the meaning and mystery of these darkest days of the year.  And on Christmas Eve we will gather for a 5:30 pm family service and a 7:15 pm traditional servic

Ernest H. Sommerfeld once asked:

Why do you celebrate Christmas?  You do not believe in virgin births?  You do not believe Jesus was a deity.  You probably do not believe in angels?

True, but we believe in songs which are born in the hearts and minds of people.  We believe that some stories deserve to live forever because of what they tell us of ourselves.  The angels singing an anthem of peace and goodwill deserve to be heard forever because they are the angels in human hearts.  The wise persons, so faithfully seeking the way of a star, deserve to go in search again each year as long as years shall be, for they are the story of our quest for ourselves.”

In the stillness of a silent night, a holy night, may we find what we are searching for.

See you on the path,
Tim

PS: The Reading Clergy Association, made up of clergy from all the churches in Reading, provides assistance to those in need, including grocery store vouchers to those who need perishable food items.  We also subsidize individual therapy sessions through the Interfaith Counseling Service to those in need of support and mental health services who are unable to afford it without assistance.  We also provide other help on an as needed basis.  Our Food Voucher and Interfaith Counseling fund is getting quite low.  If anyone can help and make a donation, please pass on to me a check payable to "Reading Clergy Association" and indicate which fund you would like to support.  Contributions of any amount are needed and greatly appreciated.

Holiday Open Houses Planned for December 16

Our 2nd annual Family Holiday Open Houses will be held on Sunday, December 16th from 1-4 P.M. Our hosts this year will be:

• Diana and Ed Kaine, 10 Laneton Way, Reading MA    
  Molly and George Marinakis, 417 Summer Ave, Reading MA    
  Sue and Michael Conley, 26 Field Pond Drive, Reading, MA                                                                                    

CHALICE CIRCLE REGISTRATION

A Chalice Circle is a small group of people who meet regularly to explore the big questions and issues of life. It is a place to speak, to listen, to ask, to search and discover. It is a safe place where we all get to better know each other.

Chalice Circle sessions to begin in January 2008. Please print and complete this registration form and return by Dec. 16 to Jasmine Hatzopoulos 65 Plymouth Road, Wakefield, MA 01880 or send the information to Jasmine . We will contact you as soon as circles are formed.

The Chalice Circle program is designed to foster connections and caring, provide an avenue for personal growth and spiritual development and ultimately strengthen the foundation of our community.

Size:  8 to 10 participants per circle
Meeting:  Twice a month in someone’s home.
Format:  All circles follow same format of: Chalice lighting, opening
reading, reflection, personal check in, topic discussion, closing checkout, and closing reading. Meetings run 90 minutes.
Facilitator:  Each group is facilitated by a trained person who will meet in a circle with other facilitators and Rev. Tim Kutzmark for ongoing support and training.
Empty Chair: Always kept in circle to symbolize those not yet reached, Circles are always open to new members.
Covenant: During an early meeting, each circle will agree on a behavioral Covenant on how members wish to be with each other.
Who Can Join: Anyone who wants to participate can join. All we ask is that when you join, you make a commitment to try to get to all the meetings.

Have questions, contact Nora Buckley (781-944-7591)

NEW UU CLASS TO BEGIN IN JANUARY

Are you new to the church?  Would you like to meet other folks who are new as well?  Have you been here a while but would like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, or get to know some new people in a fun, small group setting?  Are you thinking about becoming a member of UUCR? 

Then the NEW UU CLASS is just the thing for you.  Join Rev. Tim for a four-week exploration and introduction to our faith.  The class will be held on four consecutive Tuesdays: January 15, 22, 29, and February 5 from 7:00—9:00 PM. Registration is required, please call the church office at 781-944-0494, email the Church Office , or sign up in the new atrium .

UUSC HOLIDAY CARDS ON SALE AT COFFEE HOUR - DEC 9

These cards come in 4 beautiful, colorful, thoughtful designs (Celebrate the Season quilt, Candle, People of Peace, Kids and Globe) and are printed on recycled paper.   The cost is $12 for a pack of 10. And, through your purchase, you will help the UUSC protect basic human rights and advance social justice in the U S and around the world.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AT UU SERVICE COMMITTEE OFFICE IN CAMBRIDGE

From the UUSC: “We are inviting our Boston area volunteers to come to Cambridge and help us thank our generous supporters quickly. Each year, the UUSC receives the highest volume of donations during the peak season of December to April. In addition to working as quickly as we can to process donations and memberships, we mail acknowledgment letters and membership cards to all of those donors.  You can set up time in blocks of four to five hours during weekdays to come to the UUSC's new offices in Central Square to help compile and mail thank you letters to our supporters. Groups of up to five people who’d like to work together are welcomed!  To sign up now, please email volunteerservices@uusc.org or call Cait McCarthy at 617-868-6600 ext. 346.

NEW UU SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY GROUP WILL HOLD ROUNDTABLE DECEMBER 8

The Mass Bay District Social Action Coordinating Committee and UU Mass Action will hold a  Social Action Roundtable on Sat. Dec. 8, from 9 to 12 at First Unitarian Society in Newton (1326 Washington St.).  This is a great opportunity for UUs interested in social action, justice, and advocacy to share program ideas and learn more about how UU Mass Action can increase the impact of social action work.  Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba from C-SNAP will also present “Fuel for Our Future - Hunger in Massachusetts.” (UU Mass Action’s priority issues for 2007-2008 are global warming and hunger & poverty.).  For more information see www.uumassaction.org

‘THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY AT THE ARLINGTON STREET CHURCH ON DECEMBER 9

"The Wilderness Journey,” an oral history of the struggle for black empowerment and racial justice within the UUA, 1967-1970, will be shown at Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St., Boston, Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. This film, produced by Ron Cordes, is an important witness for future generations. It will be followed by a discussion.

Church School and Events

Sunday, December 9

• Pre-k through Grade 6 begin in Sanctuary
• Church School follows until 11:45. Playschool with Jenn in Sawyer
• Youth Adult Committee Meeting 5 - 6:30 Loring House
• Our Whole Lives 6:30 - 9:00 Loring House
• Senior High Youth Program 6:30 - 8:30 Loring House

Sunday, December 16

• Pre-k through Grade 6 will begin in their classrooms
• No Young People's Worship
• Coming of Age in Community Hall 10:30
• Classes dismissed at 11:45
• Playschool with Jenn in Sawyer
• Senior High Youth Program 6:30 - 8:30 Loring House

Sunday, December 22

• Youth Adult Committee leads an all church Solstice Worship Service from 5 - 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary followed by a light dinner and Darty. (Dance Party!)

Monday, December 24

• Christmas Eve Service 5:30 Family, 7:15 Adult

Sunday, December 30

• Multiage Religious Education Program in Community Hall

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

6th Grade

"The children acted out the story of Moses, from his beginnings as a baby left in the Nile by his mother, to growing up in the Pharaoh's house, to finding God on Mount Sinai, and then leading his people out of Egypt.   The children all prepared and took part in a Passover Seder, as well as learned the continuation of the story of Moses and the Jews. As the children entered the classroom, they helped chop apples and prepared the 'Haroses', washed herbs and prepared the salt water, sliced radishes, set the table, lit candles, and read over their scripts. The children all had reading parts for the Seder and they enthusiastically tried all parts of this ritual meal, including the dipped parsley in salt water (nearly no one liked), the radish (some liked), the matzoh (they all loved) and the Haroses (apple, nut, cinnamon mixture which they all loved).  They learned what each of the foods represented. And we also learned a new song 'Deiyanu' which we sang during the Seder, along with 'Go Down Moses'." 

Ann Rose, Denise Conry and Laurie Thibault

7th grade

learned about Quakerism with guest Tom Ash. They attended a Friends Meeting in Cambridge and enjoyed the experience of a more silent and reflective service. 

Paula Tucci

3rd grade

continues to learn about Bible Stories and began the quarter with the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham and Issac. These are two very intense stories for anyone to comprehend. The third grade students did a wonderful job of discussing the stories, the Bible and how each of them approaches the concepts the stories confront. The class makes good use of the white board for drawing superb illustrations of the story. They also did a beautiful job creating an altar of special things, drawings and decorations.   

Aileen Dashurova and Dana Johnson

Unplug the Holiday Machine! 

As Unitarian Universalists and as parents can we slow down our lives and the lives of our children to enjoy a gentle, inspirational winter season?  Yes! Yes we can! On Sunday, December 8 from 12 - 2 p.m. in Community Hall we will gather to explore our traditions, ideas, desires and visions for a relaxing, intimate, fulfilling Holiday Season. Supporting each other and receiving enthusiastic permission to "unplug the holiday machine", we will create attainable and successful strategies for nurturing family time, enjoyment of the outside beauty and wonder of winter, time management skills and assertive techniques for establishing boundaries with ourselves, our children and those tugging at us from every side!

Take some care giving time for yourself and join us for a lovely time! Light lunch and child care available. If interested you must sign up by emailing Aileen Dashurova, DRE or phoning 781-944-0494 ext. 108.

Our Whole Lives Grade 8 Celebration!

Our Whole Lives Grade 8 will be having their Celebration on Sunday, December 9 in Community Hall. The O.W.L. program is a comprehensive sexuality program created by the UUA and the UCC (United Church of Christ) and has been very successful, especially in our congregation. The class, facilitators and parents come together in the last session to talk, play games, and celebrate the hard work of all!

Special Thanks to our one and only ANDY FURST!

Hug him, shake his hand, give him a high five (make it ten!) Andy Furst has been doing the amazing, stupendous, unbelievable job of coordinating not just one, and not just two, but THREE Our Whole Lives Programs for this church year! Not only does he keep class lists, facilitator's names and permission forms in order, he negotiates snacks, room space, trainings, parent orientations, slide projector whereabouts and so much more! Wow.ANDY - THANK YOU! Our youth grades 7 - 12 will be so much wiser, prepared, empowered and educated thanks to your many hours of hard work on their behalf!

Got a Great Idea for our multiage December 23 & December 30 Church program?

This year the RE Committee has decided to hold multiage programming on holiday weekends. What a success this has been with Bud Thibault visiting and making Talking Sticks with our children followed the next time by Bill Grace and David Kay speaking with our children from their experience in war. The children created a love filled box of cards, well wishes and important gifts for our servicewomen and men overseas.   We have two Sundays coming upon us (maybe sooner than we expect!); December 23 and December 30 and we welcome people from our church community to share ideas with us. We would love for "new faces" to come and visit and lead an activity, read a book, facilitate a discussion or just come and hang out in Community Hall so the children can get to know you, their larger church community. Contact David Oakes or speak with any of the RE Committee members to join us and have some terrific holiday fun! 

Donna Colebrook, Heather Ballou, Mary Gould, Junelle Barras, Martha Oesch, Steve Belt, Nancy Littlehale

Senior High Youth Program 

SHYP had a wonderful meeting December 2 with two enthusiastic guests. Two active UU Young Adults attended the meeting and shared with the high school youth the many opportunities to stay connected and involved as UU Young Adults. Julia and Mike took the train in from Boston and walked in the cold and snow to introduce themselves and the fantastic UU Young Adult community to our SHYP members. Many of our youth expressed great interest in staying active in UU community after they graduate from High School and some of our senior youth are even thinking about starting UU Campus Ministries at their colleges next fall should there not be an active UU community on campus when they arrive!

SOLSTICE SERVICE AND DARTY – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 FROM 5 TO 8 PM!

The Youth and Adult Committee is leading a magical Solstice Service in the Sanctuary on Saturday, December 22 from 5 – 6 p.m. Following the service they will be hosting a light dinner and Darty – Dance Party – until 8 p.m. Please join us for a celebration of nature, hope, beauty and community!