This Sunday 12/25/22 –
- Carols and Coffee – with Rev. Karen – This Christmas morning, we’ll hear the story of Jesus’ birth and sing a few traditional Christmas songs together. Please bring a sweet treat to share for a festive coffee hour.
- Children and Youth – This Sunday’s Christmas Service will be an all ages celebration with caroling for all.
- Donate to Share the Plate – Yahara House – a community mental health program that focuses on recovery through social connection, meaningful activity, and reintroduction to community employment. This collection is in honor of Eric Lindblom who was a member of our community and lived with schizophrenia.
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Events Calendar (click for complete calendar)
14th Longest Night Memorial Service – Dec. 21st
From Just Dane: The Longest Night Homeless Persons Memorial Service is tonight, the longest night of the year, to remember our neighbors who have died and were unhoused. We are still collecting names of individuals to recognize, if you have one to submit. This is the 14th year for the local service. We will gather at 3:00 p.m. on the Capitol Square at the intersection of East Main, South Pinckney Street and King Street. We will hold a brief outdoor service and then proceed around the Capitol led by a horse-drawn hearse.
Each year we like to create a memorial book with the names of the individuals remembered at the event and for those who may have passed and been remembered in previous years. If you have someone you would like us to remember during this event; please provide us with a little information about the person, their gifts, interests, qualities you admired, and anything you would like to share by filling out this attached google form: https://forms.gle/cJpq1LbSqXc9NnC69
Music Notes
The choir is taking a couple of weeks to rest before preparing special music for the January 8 Burning Bowl service. Next rehearsal will be on Thursday, January 5 at 7:00 pm.
- Hymn #237 “The First Nowell”
- Hymn #251 “Silent Night, Holy Night”
- Hymn #231 “Angels We Have Heard on High”
- Hymn #245 “Joy to the World”
- Hymn #239 “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
We have started the search for a new Music Director! Please share with your networks.
Click here for more music and choir information…
Minister’s Availability
Rev. Karen will be on vacation from Monday, December 26 through Monday, January 2, and will be working remotely on Tuesday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 4. On January 3, she’ll hold only her evening virtual office hours. Her next in-person office hours will be on Friday, January 6 at 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm, at Reeb. Click the link above for “usual” office hours.
Meditation Group Online – Wednesday Dec. 21th at 6:30 – Newcomers welcome
8th Principle Team – Racial Justice Meetings & Events
12/20/22 – Rev. Karen and the 8th Principle Project Team are facilitating a number of activities in the near future to help us learn more and take actions to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institution. We hope you will find something in these offerings to engage you in this critical justice work.
- On Sunday January 22nd from 4:00PM-6:00PM we will host “Racial Justice at JRUUC-a facilitated discussion” on zoom. This activity will utilize a structured tool for analyzing the state of racial justice within our congregation.
- An 8-week group where participants will read and discuss the book “Me and White Supremacy”, weekly starting on Sunday February 12th from 1:00PM -3:00PM and running weekly through April 2nd on zoom. This is a powerful tool of self-reflection and deep sharing – please commit to all sessions. Please contact Jeanette Clawson if you’d like to join or have questions. The book is Me And White Supremacy – LAYLA F. SAAD and is available at “A Room of One’s Own” at 2717 Atwood Ave. or on the internet.
- A monthly open discussion on Zoom- “Building Our Racial Awareness” will occur starting February 26th and then on the 4th Sunday each month from 4:00PM -6:00PM; participants will be invited to bring news items related to racism in our local community to facilitate discussion and to sharpen our awareness of the inequities surrounding us here at home.
If you have questions or comments on these offerings or the 8th Principle Project, please contact Team members Randy Coloni, Erik Gunn, Eva Wingren, and Jeanette Clawson by using this contact form. Or talk with us during coffee hour!
We look forward to working with you on this important effort.
Black History for a New Day Course Begins Feb. 6th
“I thought I understood and had learned about slavery, Jim Crow and segregation, but this course taught me, without any blame or guilt, how much I never knew about the history and lives of Black people around me, and how to get involved in improving the lives of our Black community and families in the Madison area.” This course, will be offered from 7-9pm on Monday evenings from Feb. 6-April 17. For details, contact Leila Pine.
RE & Family Ministry Update – Schedule Change & Coming of Age
- As a note for parents, starting in January “Youth in Session” has been moved to third Sundays.
- As we plan on beginning a Coming of Age program in the new year, parents with youth interested as well as adults interested in assisting should contact Genevieve so we can begin planning.
- Any adults in the congregation who are interested in assisting with our Coming of Age Program should also contact Genevieve.
Click here to learn more about her and Religious Education & Family Ministry at Reeb!
How was the audio and video last Sunday?
We tried out our new AV system at last Sunday’s service, and would like to hear about your in-person or virtual experience. Please email Rev. Karen with your feedback.
Courtesy Parking Reminder
Please leave the parking directly next to the building (across from El Sabor and Milio’s) for those with mobility issues, small children, or things to carry into the building. Thanks!
Snow Lottery Season!
Here is the link to sign up for our “Snow Lottery” – Sign up for a week at a time and if it snows, clear our sidewalks with provided shovels and sand/salt. You “win” the lottery when it snows, if you like shoveling, or when it doesn’t snow, if you would prefer not to shovel. Either way, we are grateful for your willingness to serve.
JRUUC Is Hiring…
We are currently accepting applications for an Office Aministrator, and a Music Director.
All posted positions are part time, and per JRUUC policy, “employment with the church is not open to members of the congregation except in rare and unusual circumstances.”
Please share this link with your networks! Applicants should send their resume with a cover letter to Rev. Karen.
Click here for job descriptions and to learn more…
Inspiration
Our December Theme: The Path of Wonder – Our December theme invites us to notice the things within, between, and around us that inspire a sense of wonder, and to make meaning out of it. In this space, you’ll find a new invitation into reflection on our monthly theme every week.
Check-in question: What was your first experience of wonder?
Now is the moment of magic,
when an eastern star beckons the ignorant toward an unknown goal,
and here’s a blessing:
they find nothing in the end but an ordinary baby,
born at midnight, born in poverty, and the baby’s cry, like bells ringing,
makes people wonder as they wander through their lives,
what human love might really look like,
sound like,
feel like.– Victoria Safford, “The Moment of Magic”
Minister’s Musings – I’m off today, celebrating Yule with my family, and I’ll be on vacation next week. I leave you with this prayer for the season. – Read more
Small Group Ministry – See your weekly newsletter for Zoom links
- Wednesday – Meditation Group 6:30-7 on zoom
- Thursday – Sacred Breath Choir – 7pm – Next meeting is Jan. 6
- Sunday – Octavia’s Parables Discussion Group 1-2 (on zoom) – Next meeting is 1/8
- Monday – Journaling Group – every other Monday, 7-8 on zoom or in person. Next meeting is 1/2
Click here for group descriptions
NOTE: Deadline for Announcements is Tuesday at 10 p.m. Submit announcements for the website any time. Please send your announcement to office@jruuc.org and specify where you would like it listed by writing Sunday Announcement and/or Weekly and/or Website in the subject line of your email
Social Justice Update – click for details all in one place about the events below and more
- 8th Principle News
- Longest Night 12/21
- JRUUC Works for Justice! – Signup for emails and zoom links
Membership Gatherings – click for details, invitation for new greeters
What’s Happening in Unitarian Universalism – Click Here for More About…
- New President nominee
- 8th Principle Work at the national level
- Revising the Principles and Purposes (Article 2)
- UU the Vote
- Side With Love – social action
- UUA News