As we return to the season of Winter Holidays, once again we look forward to the opportunity to gather in-person and online to honor the many traditions that are celebrated with members and friends in our community and world. The staff, lay-leadership and I have been planning for the upcoming services for many months and hope that this season of celebrations will fill you with tidings of comfort and joy and we explore the them of wonder and all that is miraculous about the gifts of love and light. Please join us in-person or online for any of the services listed below.
Sunday, December 4, 2022, 10:00 AM In-Person & Online – “Passing Wonders” with Rev. Aaron Payson. The poet Mary Oliver writes, “Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.” This Sunday we will begin an exploration of “wonder” our Soul Matters Theme for the month of December. We begin by pausing to notice the things that we often miss in our search for what is wondrous.
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 10:00 AM In-Person & Online – “A World of Wonders” with Rev. Aaron Payson. Albert Einstein once penned, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” On this Sunday we continue our exploration of wonder asking what really are the wonders of the world.
Sunday, December 18, 2022, 10:00 AM In-Person & Online – “Who Loves The Dark?” ANNUAL SOLSTICE SERVICE with Rev. Aaron Payson. Join us for this annual tradition as we explore the meaning of the winter solstice with story and song.
Sunday December 18, 2022, 4:00 PM In-Person & Online – “A Winter’s Sojourn” ANNUAL HOLIDAY VESPERS SERVICE. Join us for our Annual Holiday Vespers Service featuring special music, our Children’s Pageant and an opportunity to gather for refreshments and conversation following the service with our ANNUAL VESPERS TEA. One special invitation this year is for everyone to come dressed in their favorite holiday digs. Solstice, Christmas, Kwanza, Diwali, Yule, Hannukah, Holiday Lights, Reindeer, and More! All are welcome to celebrate the season by wearing something festive (or simply come as you are!).
Please CLICK HERE for more information on the Vespers Tea, and to sign up for the Vespers Tea Team!
Saturday, December 24, 2022 7:00 PM in-person and online – ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – “Magnifying Love”. Join us for our Annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. This carols and lessons service will include special music and soloists to mark this special night with song and the familiar words long honored on this eve.
Sunday, December 25, 2022 10:00 AM – ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE – There will not be a service held at UUCW this Sunday. However, we will gather with friends from other Greendale-Area congregations for a special ecumenical Christmas Day Service at Bethel Lutheran Church in Auburn. The service is not livestreamed but will be posted to the Bethel Youtube Channel later that day.
Sunday, January 1, 2022 10:00 AM – WORSHIP ARTS SUNDAY with Rev. Jen Innis, Guest Minister.
On this New Year’s Day, how shall we deepen and renew what we value most? Our fellow Unitarian Universalists are taking up this question, too, in the process of revising our public statement of principles and purposes. Join us as we explore together.
Once again we are delighted to welcome Rev. Jennifer Innis back to the pulpit at UUCW. Rev. Innis joins us from Peoria, IL where she enjoys life with her spouse the Reverend Patrick Price and their children, Nate and Abby. She is happy to be the minister with the Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria. She also is the Director for Spirit Play, a story-based program for young children in Unitarian Universalism. Rev. Innis is thrilled to return to the UU Church of Worcester and offer worship at the church of her youth.
Blessings, Aaron