Religious Life News, Dec 22

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In the E-News this week (don’t forget!):
  • Blue Christmas, December 22, 12:30pm, Gandhi, with Pamela Wilz
  • Christmas Eve Cooking Making, 5pm before the service
  • Seasonal Journal is available!
For information about any of these events, see the E-News or email programming@stjohnsuu.org. All the other Religious Life news at a glance:
  • First Hour this Sunday, Dec 22 – Cards, Caroling, and Scarves
  • First Hour next Sunday, Dec 29 – Church Scavenger Hunt
  • Mitten Tree continues…
  • Soup Mixes…
  • Looking ahead to January – First Hour!
  • “State of Religious Life” Meeting – Sunday, January 19

First Hour This Sunday – Cards, Caroling, and Scarves

We will be singing Christmas carols and making cards in Krolfifer. Teens will also meet in Krolfifer. Email Ashleigh at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org to sign up to help. For adults, we also will have Meditation and Movement in Gandhi for adults, led by Christine Mouch. Participants will spend time in mindful meditation and gentle movement.

First Hour Next Sunday, Dec 29 – Church Scavenger Hunt

*All ages* are welcome to join us in exploring the church and finding out about its history. Families are encouraged to work together or join up with others. For more information, or to provide ideas or history tidbits, email Ashleigh at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org.

Mitten Tree is Still Taking Donations

Our Mitten tree continues to take donations. Scarf materials are still available if you missed our scarf creation week. Throughout the holidays you are encouraged to donate hats, mittens, scarves, and SOCKS – socks are especially welcome, and personal items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, etc.) – which will be donated to CAIN – Churches Active in Northside. For more information about CAIN: http://www.cainministry.org/index.html

Soup Mix Sales Continue

Bean and rice soup mixes will be on sale for $5 throughout December. Please contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org to volunteer to staff the table or arrange a purchase at another time. Proceeds benefit St. Johns’ work as a Solidarity Congregation with the sanctuary family at Clifton United Methodist Church.

First Hour in January – Principles and Play

For our next theme of Dismantling Colonialism our main First Hour programming will alternate weeks, as described below. There will also be workshops on our theme offered by various members of the church – if you are interested in offering a program during First Hour, email programming@stjohnsuu.org. On the 2nd and 4th weeks we will focus on the Seven Principles. There will be programming for every age group, including adults. If you are newer to UUism, this is a great program to participate in! On the 1st and 3rd weeks we will have a number of creative and playful options:
  • Youth choir (for grades 1-8), led by Edie Holder
  • Drawing with Anne Skove
  • Games and play
  • Dramatic play
  • Other programming to be determined…
We will need many volunteers and teachers for both programs. Please email programming@stjohnsuu.org to help with either effort.

Save the Date: “State of Religious Life” Meeting, Sunday January 19 after service

Marie and Ashleigh will have a meeting after the service on Sunday, January 19 to discuss all things Religious Life – First Hour, children’s worship during the service, communication, the playground, the nursery… All are welcome! Those who would like to volunteer or who have children are especially encouraged to attend.