Giving Tree 2024
Each year our congregation partners with social workers in the Family Support Team at Greer Elementary School (a school serving many immigrant families) to identify families experiencing financial hardship. We offer help in the form of gift cards* as a way to spread holiday cheer and well-being. If you would like to contribute to this year’s Giving Tree, please CLICK HERE to sign up. Gift Cards will be gratefully received during our annual multigenerational Giving Tree Service on Sunday December 15.
*We asked the social workers if it was more helpful for us to purchase actual gifts or to gift with gift cards. They shared that giving families gift cards is most helpful and very appreciated.
If it would be helpful to you and your family to be recipients of our Giving Tree, please reach out to Rev. Leia. We would be very happy to add you to our holiday tree confidentially and anonymously.
December 14 All Church Holiday Party
Decorate the church’s Christmas Tree, enjoy a cup of cider, make a wreath, decorate candles or ornaments, try printmaking, making paper snowflakes or create a tree trunk candleholder. The “Treasure Chest” allows children to “shop” for free for a holiday treasure for someone special. Please bring finger food desserts or appetizers and greenery for wreath making to share. For more information, contact Rev. Leia (leia@uucharlottesville.org) Come and get into the holiday spirit!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HOLIDAY PARTY
December 15, Sunday: Giving Tree Worship Service 11AM
Join your church family as we celebrate our annual multigenerational Giving Tree Service! Donations of gift cards in any amount will be gratefully received and gifted to the Family Support Team at Greer Elementary School. Gift cards help families whose budgets are stretched thin, especially during the holiday season. Gift cards will also be gifted to families in our own congregation whose budgets are tight.
December 22, Food Sharing Sunday for our congregation
Those who are able are invited to bring perishable and non-perishable foods as well as cleaning supplies and place them in the sanctuary on the chancel at the 11AM service. Anyone who would like is invited to stay after the service and take items home. Rev. Tim will also have grocery gift cards available so please see him if you would like one.
From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, by this we live.
December 18 Celebrate Yule with Women Spirit
The WomenSpirit group gathers 8 times a year, to celebrate the 8 Sabbats: the seasonal festivals comprising the Wheel of the Year. All our Women Spirit Rituals are held from 6:30-8:30 pm on the outdoor labyrinth; if that’s not possible due to weather, we’ll meet in Lower Hall 2. Contact is Womenspirit@uucharlottesville.org.
December 22 Solstice Lantern Walk 4:30 – 6PM
Pen Park Shelter 2 (inclement weather cancels)
Celebrate the return of the light by joining your family and UUCville friends with battery lanterns, candles, lights or other luminaria. If you don’t have a luminaria or lantern to carry, there will be extras on hand that you can use.
Enjoy hot cider around the fire. Please bring snacks to share. This event is for all members and friends of our congregation both young and old. Bring your family and friends! All are welcome.
Rev. Leia needs helpers to host this event with her. Help is needed with set-up, fire starting and tending, and clean up. Please contact Rev. Leia to be a helper. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK
December 24, Help Needed for Interactive Nativity
At the 4:30 PM service, we need Stage Directors (2), Costumers (2) and adult volunteers to be the Holy Family (all families are holy, all family configurations welcome.) We also need volunteers to set up the social hall kitchen for the reception following the service. If you would like to volunteer in any of these capacities, please contact Rev. Leia (leia@uucharlottesville.org) Donations of new mittens, gloves, socks, and hats will be received for those in need at the 4:30 PM service.
Remember to bring your cookies to share after whichever Christmas Eve service you attend!
Christmas Eve Services December 24, Tuesday: 4:30 PM and 7 PM
4:30PM Christmas Eve Service – Interactive Nativity
Join Rev. Leia for this joy-filled service that is our interactive re-telling of the Christmas story. Come ready to jump right in and play the part of one of the characters in this timeless tale of wonder, mystery, and love. Donations of new mittens, gloves, socks, and hats will be received for those in need. The offering will go to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. At the end of the service, we will proceed to the front portico and search the skies for Santa and his sleigh! Please bring cookies for the reception following the service.
7PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – Rev. Tim Temerson
A Christmas service to which all ages are invited including holiday music from the choir, candle lighting, and a homily from Rev.Tim. The offering will go to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Childcare will not be provided as our screened childcare providers are unavailable. Please bring cookies for the reception following the service. Can you help with clean-up after the reception? Please let Rev. Tim (Tim@uucharlottesville.org) know.
December 29, Sunday Service at 11AM – Rev. Susan Karlson
Beyond Regrets–An Infinity of Possibilities
On this Sunday before New Year’s, we’ll explore liberating love through the perspective taken in Matt Haig’s book, The Midnight Library. Rev. Susan will reflect on the decisions we make that influence our whole lives. And we will hold a New Year’s ritual reflective of the year almost behind us and the year just ahead.
December 31, Tuesday: New Year’s Eve Outdoor Labyrinth Walk, 12:30-3PM,
Join in this ritual of contemplation, of releasing the old and welcoming the new. If you have never walked a labyrinth before, there will be friendly people who will offer you guidance. Each person walks in their own way and at their own pace. All ages are welcome.
Inclement weather cancels.