December 2011 Holiday Events
There is no shortage of ways to catch your breath, connect and celebrate with your First Universalist community this holiday season. Here are some of the options through Christmas Day.
Christmas Eve Services
December 24, 4pm traditional family service
Join Rev. Justin Schroeder, Heidi Mastrud, and the Children’s Choir for our Traditional Service for All Ages. We will celebrate the hope of the season and the light in the world through story and song.
11pm Lessons and Carols: Gather with First U ministers to explore the Christmas miracle through story, music, singing and reflection.
Christmas Day Services
December 25, 2011, 11:15am ONLY
Join other First Universalist friends for a carol sing, led by Ruth MacKenzie. No childcare or RE will be available Christmas Day. All ages are welcome in the Sanctuary!
Our previous holiday events:
AUW Holiday Tea
December 10, 1-3pm
We continue the tradition of having beautiful decorated tables by different volunteers. We share coffee and tea from our silver set, conversation and song, and delicious treats. We will collect small stocking stuffers for the children at St. Anne’s Place, a residential facility run by Ascension Place that helps women with children transition to better options. Most of the children are under the age of 5. Consider small toys or treats that would brighten their holidays. Sign up at The Hub or email auw.firstuniv@gmail.com. There is no charge for this event. If you would like to decorate a table please contact Jody Beresford, 612-669-9977, spice777@aol.com. If you can bring treats or are willing to help set up or clean up, please sign up at the AUW table or at the Hub.
AUW Holiday Poinsettias: Pick up your holiday poinsettias on December 11 after church services.
Special Feast of Carols service, Dec. 11: don't miss this Sunday service (9:30 and 11:15) when the First Universalist Choir presents Randol Bass' "A Feast of Carols." This lush arrangement of familiar carols, accompanied by chamber orchestra, will be an unforgettable way to kick off the holiday season.
Caroling Potluck
December 11, 3:30 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays with food, fellowship, and song. All are invited to this intergenerational event! This year we will carol for the residents of Walker Methodist Health Center. Mary Bohman, Children’s Music Coordinator, will lead the carol singing.
- 3:30pm Meet at church
- 3:40pm Walk to Walker Center (dress warmly)
- 4-4:45pm Carol at Walker
- 5pm Return for potluck dinner
For the potluck, bring a food item according to the letter of your last name: Entrée (A-H), salad and bread (I-R), or dessert (S-Z). Sign up for this event at The Hub in the Social Hall or online at firstuniv.org/caroling. Contact: mary@firstuniv.org.
Global Gift Fair, December 11, 9am-1:30pm
Contemplative Worship
December 18, 9:30am
This special service will be led by Rev. Kate Tucker and Ralph Krog, Intern Minister. During the rush of the holidays, join us for a time of quiet. We’ll take a breath together, with music, words, and moments of silence. (There is no religious education for children and youth during this service, but nursery care is available for ages 0-3.)
Holiday Pageant 
December 18, 11:15 a.m.
The Star is getting ready! And so must we all! O Come, O Come, to our very unique First U telling of the Christmas story. Children ages 5 and older are invited to act in this annual pageant. Participants must attend one of two rehearsals: Thursday, December 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m. or Saturday, December 17, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Parents of children ages 5-8 are asked to attend rehearsal with their children. This year, we’d especially like to invite youth grades 6-9 to help with the lead and singing parts. Contact: ruth@firstuniv.org, 825-1701x127. If you are interested in helping our pageant by donating your time or talent, (especially with the basic sewing of costumes), please contactlily@firstuniv.org or 825-1701x107. NOTE: Holiday pageant sign-ups for roles will end in the Atrium on December 11.
Service Project and Healthy Potluck
December 18, 12:30pm
Congregants of all ages are invited to participate in a festive and generous service project to benefit those outside our walls and help create connections. After our Dec. 18 Christmas pageant, our intergenerational service project will be to make laundry soap packets and healthy snack packs for low-income families. United Way will make these packages available to food shelves statewide. Food stamps don't pay for laundry soap, and many children don't have snacks at school or in after-school programs.
During the service project, you’re also invited to eat, drink, and be merry at the healthy food potluck. To ensure that we all have plenty of energy for the fun-filled day we will host a Healthy Food Potluck in the Social Hall after the Christmas Pageant. Adults and children are invited to refuel, but we need everyone to bring a dish to share! Please bring healthy finger foods and beverages. No peanuts or tree nuts, please. To lend a festive air to the morning, Mary Bohman will lead caroling in the Atrium. Stop by for a song and holiday cheer!
Winter Solstice
December 21, 7:30pm (Sanctuary opens 7pm)
We celebrate the longest night of the year and rejoice in the returning of the sun. Our 31st annual Winter Solstice ritual celebration includes chants, a story for all ages, time spent in the darkness, music, and celebrating the returning of -- and sharing of -- the light. Children are welcome to participate (especially if they have animal costumes!) but be aware that we will spend 12 minutes in complete darkness, accompanied only by the drum beat. Parents are welcome to take young children to the narthex if they will be frightened or otherwise uncomfortable. Following the Solstice ritual, join the merriment in the Social Hall with spiral dancing and light refreshments. For more information, and to learn about opportunities to be involved, please contact Pamela, pbvincent1@comcast.net, 612-615-6085.
Labyrinth Circle
December 21, 5:30-7pm
An open walk will precede the solstice, beginning at 5:30pm. Last walk begins at 6:40pm, with the labyrinth closing at 7 pm.