OUUC Weekly Update Holiday Edition
December 24, 2024
Comfort and Joy: A Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 24
5:30 pm, onsite and online, with the OUUC Choir
9:00 pm, onsite only, with guest musicians
Children are welcome at worship. Nursery care will be provided for the 5:30 pm service. The Order of Service can be downloaded below.
Join Zoom Meeting (5:30 service only): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/873210124?pwd=WyvXbHaMSTimv6OI0C7NhRYZ1VQ0Ny.1
Dial: +1 253 205 0468 US (or find your local number here)
Meeting ID: 873 210 124
Passcode: 2306
One tap mobile: +12532050468,,873210124#,,,,2306# US
“New Year Fire Communion” with Rev. Sara Lewis
Sunday, December 29, 10 am
Please join us for a very different kind of worship experience as we hold outdoor worship stations to pause, release what we want to release from 2024, and enter 2025 with new intentions. We will also have a social fire pit for visiting and chatting. NOTE: There will be no nursery care, and this service will not be streamed online. Please join us outside and onsite. Dress for the weather!
'Telling a Different Story" with Rev. Mary Gear
Sunday, January 5, 10 am
The stories that we tell have power. This month we explore the spiritual practice of story. This Sunday, we consider the challenge and transformation possible from telling a counter-cultural story.
There will be no After-Service Forum this week.
From Your OUUC Stewardship Team
You are cordially invited to attend a Gather, Grow & Guide Session in support of the OUUC. We will gather in the homes of fellow congregation members for light refreshments and meaningful conversations about what OUUC means to each of us. During these small group sessions, we’ll share stories, build connections, and deepen our sense of community. There will be several gatherings to choose from, with different dates, times and locations. Each will last approximately 1.5 hours and will be framed by three focal points:
Gather: Gather stories on ways we nurture and are nurtured by the OUUC.
Grow: Explore our path towards growth and the five ways to grow. Rev. Mary will offer a short, supporting video on this topic.
Guide: Collect guidance and advice on how OUUC can achieve the goals it set for 2025.
Please join us for meaningful conversation, fellowship, and the joy of being in community. Sign-up for a time and date that works best for you here, or contact Wendy Tanner and she will help you get signed up. Thank you so much for contributing to this important exercise to nurture our community and move toward the future with hope and success.
NO Thursday Community Dinners 12/26 and 1/2
The Thursday Community Dinners are taking a holiday break. There will be no dinner on Dec 26th or January 2nd.
The dinners will return on January 9th at 5:30 pm, join us then!
January Thursdays Schedule is Different
Please note there will be no Thursday dinner or programming on January 2nd, and the schedule overall in January will be a bit different because of that. Please check the dates of your normal activities to see if they have changed.
Winter/Spring Racial Justice Learning Circles offered by First Unitarian of Portland
There are many learning opportunities being offered on zoom by First Unitarian in Portland, open to all to join. Find out more here.
12 Movements of Resiliency Class
Led by Rev. Sara Lewis
Offered on Zoom. This class explores different aspects of life and how we can all live more resiliently and sustainably. Using the metaphor of a tree, twelve aspects of life are explored with encouragement to move in a direction of greater intention, flexibility, and strength – all the ingredients of resiliency.
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm
Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12
Social Justice Book Group
In December and January the social justice book group will be reading and discussing Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing by local author and educator Erin Jones. We’ll be meeting for the second time to discuss this book on Jan 16th after the Thursday night dinner.
If you are interested in joining the discussion, please register here or reach out to Whitney Godby or Kirsten Hill for more information.
Childrens Class: World Blessings
Starting January 16!
Registration is open now for our next 8 week childrens class series offered on Thursdays 6:30-7:30.
An important tenet of Unitarian Universalism is an appreciation of our world and its many blessings. This curriculum seeks to introduce our world’s diverse countries, religions, and holidays through the shared activity of cooking. Register here.
OUUC Book Group - online
Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 pm
The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Johnson (2018) (308 pages) – Nonfic on A true story of Edwin Rist, a musician with the London Royal Academy, who leaves a concert one night, heads to a London museum, and steals rare bird feathers. Over a period of many years he con nues to successfully do this. The story tells how he did it, why, and if and when he got caught. What became of the feathers and Edwin?!
Contact Frances Tanaka to get connected.
Faith Action Network Training Opportunities
Transforming Our Future through Advocacy
We have a full slate of opportunities for you to grow your advocacy skills and learn about our policy priorities, as well as an all-liaison meeting.
January 5th 4-5pm: Advocacy 101
January 9th 12-1pm: Legislative Preview*
January 12th 4-5pm: Legislative Preview*
January 15th 12-1pm: FAN All Liaison Meeting: Organizing Your Faith Community for Advocacy
*There will be evening and afternoon options for the Legislative Preview, each with the same content.
