UUCSJS Midweek Message
December 13, 2023
This Sunday
In This Very Moment
Presented by Pauline Nijander
We live in a world that causes us to think about the future constantly and the past continues to haunt us. In response to the hecticness that is our lives, we are often told the old saying that we need to "stop and smell the roses." But how many of us actually make the time to do so? Join us on this Sunday as we explore what being present in the moment would look like for us and the busy lives that we lead.
BIO: Pauline E. Nijander is in her final year as a Master of Divinity student at the Drew University Theological School in Madison, NJ where she is studying for the Unitarian Universalist ministry, and where she was awarded the Dorr Diefendorf Award for excellence in homiletics in the 2021-2022 academic year. Pauline has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton since 2013 where she has served in various leadership roles, and is now one of their two Seminarians. As a proud transwoman and lesbian, Pauline has spoken often to different community and student groups about her perspective and life in hopes of educating people through honest and engaging conversation about trans* life and issues. For this work, she was awarded the 2017 Triad House LGBTQ+ Champion Award from LifeTies. Along with her wife, Michelle, and their sweet pitbull, Ingrid, Pauline resides in Ewing, NJ.
PLEASE NOTE: This service will be in person at UUCSJS and streamed live on our Facebook page. A recording will be available later in the day on our YouTube Channel.
December 24th: Christmas Eve Musical Celebration!
Presented by Gina Roche, UUCSJS Music Director
Come to UUCSJS's afternoon ALL MUSIC CHRISTMAS EVE MUSICAL CELEBRATION! Featuring the UUCSJS choir, Music Director Gina Roche, and some very special surprise musical guests. Come get your holiday spirit on with us!
Event will take place at 1:30pm!
This week I want to share with you a blog post (remember those?) from a UU minister about the magic and mystery of Santa Claus. I read this post when it was first published and my oldest child was struggling with "THE" Santa question. As with most parenting firsts, I was not totally prepared for this. But when I read these words I cried. Because I too believe in Santa. I believe in the magic and the mystery of this time of year and was so happy to find a way to extend it beyond early childhood. May you find comfort and inspiration as well.
In the words of Lizard Eater at The Journey:
"Proud to Be a Level Four Santa"
I believe in Santa Claus. I believe in people.
Believe means different things, doesn’t it? And sometimes, we instantly know it. Like saying, “I believe in people.” Well, obviously, I’m not talking about existence, that seems to be a foregone conclusion. People exist.
“I believe in people” means something more, something positive. The writers of the Bible would use a figure of speech called ellipsis, in which they would omit certain words for effect. It’s an unfinished circle, that we tend to automatically fill in with meaning.
So part of what I would fill in is that I believe in people, that they can be generous beyond your imagination, loving to complete strangers, extenders of awesome grace.
Santa Claus embodies this instinct we have toward compassion.
Children, if they are being raised by someone who loves them, assume this. If you tell a 3 year old “People are good and often want to help,” they will look at you blankly. Of course they are! In the same way they will always say that the bigger glass has more liquid in it than the short cup, no matter the opposing evidence, it is part of their logic that grownups are good people.
To tell a 45 year old the same thing is to invite debate, a debate that has raged for the ages, through the Christian scriptures, Lord of the Flies, A Separate Peace, and all those other “original sin” themed books they made us read in High School.
I am here to tell you – people are good. And they will overwhelm you with their willingness to make things better for others.
We share our belief in Santa Claus with our children. There are different levels to this, and so we divide it up into what we feel is developmentally appropriate for them to understand.
It astounds me that so many people stop at the first level. And at a certain point, they learn that it’s “wrong,” and that’s that. It’s done.
Don’t they know, it’s only the introduction!
Level One Santa is the symbolic embodiment into one person: he lives at the North Pole, says “Ho Ho Ho,” and comes down the chimney. He gives without ever expecting anything in return. He brings presents to children simply because he loves them. Oh sure, there are rumors of coal in stockings … but no one actually knows anyone who got that.
Myths grow and become more personal in each family; ours is no exception. With our first, it was decided that it was appropriate to ask Santa for three things (which you may or may not get). Rather early on, our son decided that the things Santa brought that he didn’t ask for were always way better than the things he did. Thus began the tradition he passed down to his sisters. “Ask for two things, but leave it up to him for the third thing – he always knows better!” As the children get older, they tend to even go farther, only asking Santa for one thing, or even nothing. They are learning about trust – trust that if you are open, and willing, you may receive gifts beyond what you know to ask for.
It is an exciting time, with our Level One Santa kids. They go outside to find chewed up carrot tops left by the reindeer, they receive personal letters from Santa a couple of days before Christmas. All of we Level Twos or above are on alert – to listen to the conversations, the casual remarks, the longing looks. And somehow, that Santa inspiration comes through, when suddenly we know what to pull out of the magic bag. Christmas morning arrives and “How did he know I wanted this???”
A personal letter from Santa – all our children receive them, regardless of age. Santa talks about their past year, what he’s noticed, what to work on, how much he loves them.
And then, one year, when they’ve had a lot of questions, and it is right … they receive a letter telling them that on the day after Christmas, they are to reach under their pillow, and there will be a special letter there that answers all their questions.
They are ready to become Level Twos.
Level Two is where you become privy to the giant mystery, the fabulous conspiracy that is Santa. You are entrusted with the secret, that Santa is SO much bigger than you imagined, that you, in fact, get to be Santa, too. The entire framework is laid out and you can see how far-reaching it is, how much more profound it is than a man coming down a chimney. People are so wonderful, that all over the world, they will go to great lengths to ensure that others have a magical Christmas. NORAD … the North American Aerospace Defense Command! – puts up video and a website so that families all over the world can track Santa’s progress. People go to the post office to pick up letters from children who have written to Santa, to actually fill some of those requests, out of their own wallet! Movies made, books written, collections taken up, all to make magic for the most powerless among us. Children.
To become a Level Two is not automatic. It is a choice. You may decide to just close the door, believe that “there is no Santa Claus.” Or you can make the choice to join in, to become a Level Two Santa.
A Level Two is someone who supports the Santa Claus efforts, promoting the wonder, keeping the mystery. Level Twos learn to listen intently, while looking casual; they pay attention to such things as what kind of thing a child plays with, what characters they like, their favorite colors. They themselves make magic, helping to put out the gifts on Christmas Eve, eating a cookie (but leaving crumbs on a plate).
Level Three is when you become Santa for the child in your life – your daughter, your nephew, your grandchild. You give, and receive no credit. No thank-you’s. It’s worth it, to be part of this magic.
Level Four is when you become Santa for someone not as close – an elderly neighbor, a friend, a stranger, a name on a tree. The recipient can’t know who you are, of course. If they did, you wouldn't be Santa. So there is much whispering and giggling; it is an appropriate time for secrets and ringing doorbells and running away. And yes, you can become a Level Four before becoming a Level Three!
Level Five is the top. This is the person who becomes the embodiment of Santa (or Mrs. Claus) themselves. They put on, or grow, the beard, put on the red hat, perfect their Ho-Ho-Ho. They wave from parades, hold squirming babies on their laps for pictures.
Too old for Santa Claus? Ah, no. For us, the question is, “Is Jane old enough for Santa Claus?” As a Level One, she only knows the door. It’s a beautiful, magical door … but beyond it lies grandeur and awe she can’t even imagine.
And she is a part of it all.
Book Club
Book Club will be meeting Friday, December 15th at 7:00 pm on ZOOM (www.tinyurl.com/uucsjszoom).
THIS YEAR IT WILL BE DIFFERENT by Maeve Binchy
From this NY Times bestselling author comes a collection of fifteen stories filled with Binchy's trademark wit, charm, and sheer storytelling genius. Instead of nostalgia, she evokes contemporary life; instead of Christmas homilies, she offers truth: and instead of sugarplums, she brings us the nourishment of holidays that precipitate change, growth, and new beginnings.
January selection - WEST WITH GIRAFFES by Linda Rutledge
Featured Resource: Mosaic Resource Hub
The Mosaic is an online hub of connection, resources, and support for Unitarian Universalists dismantling racism and oppression. Through resources, programs, training, groups, and gatherings, The Mosaic fosters belonging and liberation in Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities. Our work for collective liberation can be as colorful, multi-faceted, and diverse as the tiles of a mosaic.
One resource congregational leaders may find helpful are the Learning and Practice Groups. Mosaic Skill-up Learning and Practice Communities are facilitated small group experiences helping leaders develop the skills and accountability they need to engage in effective anti-racism transformation work in their context. These 90-minute virtual gatherings (meeting approximately twice a month over 4 months) include a mix of learning from trusted voices in the movement toward anti-racism transformation. By participating in a skill-up group you will form meaningful connections, receive support and feedback as you implement your learnings, and tend to your own spiritual well being.
The purpose of the gathering is to deepen our collective understanding and skills around issues related to transformation work; build community through connecting individuals and congregations across our movement; and help us stay rooted in our Unitarian Universalist tradition. Sign up at the Mosaic webpage.
Need Help?
Contact a member of the Caring Team
Team members can provide you with support during/after an illness, a death in the family, or other loss or hardship. They can find you resources, run errands, or provide meals in time of need.
Reach out to:
Tracey Catino at (609) 674-8721 email: Traceysnaps@msn.com
Helen Utts at (609) 338-3391 email: HelenUtts@aol.com
Tony Zitelli at (201) 463-2800 email: happy85a@aol.com
Barbara Morell at (215) 805-7599 email: morellb@msn.com
Janet Longo at (609) 748-8608 email: jilportnj@comcast.net
Denise O'Meara at (610) 316-7495 denome53@gmail.com
Caring Team is looking for members who are willing to attend monthly Zoom meetings and help out when congregants are sick or suffering from hardships. Please contact Tracey Catino if you can join our confidential group.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore
Sunday Services 10:30 am in person and livestreamed on Facebook.
Email: admin@uucsjs.org
Website: www.uucsjs.org
Location: 75 S Pomona Rd, Egg Harbor City, NJ, USA
Mailing Address: PO Box 853, Pomona NJ 08240
Phone: (609) 965-9400
Facebook: facebook.com/uucsjs
Twitter: @UUCSJS