The Board of Directors encourages your participation in the Upcoming Congregational meeting this Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 11:45 AM in the Sanctuary. We will end before 1 PM. This is one of two congregational meetings that occur each year as stipulated in our bylaws. Members, please plan to attend. Non- members are welcome to attend, but cannot participate in voting. Attendance can be in person or via zoom at our regulate service link.
December’s Soul Matters theme is “The Practice of Presence.” This week, in part one of a two-part series, we look at the ways we show up and remain present for life’s joy and woe.
To attend by Zoom, click on this link: uuberks.org/zoom-worship. (If this is the first time you’re using zoom, you may be prompted to download a launcher app).To connect by phone (audio only): 1) Dial the phone number: 1-646-558-8656 2) When prompted for the “Meeting ID”, enter: 921 4271 5512# 3) When prompted for the “Participant ID”, enter: #Please plan to arrive or log on by 10:20-10:25 am to establish a connection before worship is scheduled begins. Zoom participant mics are muted throughout the service.
This Month’s Theme is Presence –
This month’s bedtime story is Life in the Present: A Joyful Collection of Comics About Living in the Moment by Liz Climo. Dive into the humor and warm-hearted wisdom from adorable bears, otters, bunny rabbits, and hamsters (among others) who help us all to see the beauty in life’s least significant occasions.
This week we will continue exploring Capital Punishment/Corporal Punishment
email Ginny Chudgar for more info (see directory for address)
9:30 Upper Elementary
We will be meeting in Gerber room and heading to kidspace
This week’s lesson is – Green Lantern Corps: Shining A New Light in the Universe – Maker Space – Maker space is an opportunity for the kids to express themselves with art. Many supplies will be available for kids to let their creativity help teach the lesson
9:30 Lower Elementary
Meeting in the kidspace cozy spot
This week’s lesson is Bluey’s Christmas swim – the kids will be making Bluey themed Christmast tree toppers, and their own ornaments
10:30 Youth Group
Meeting in the YG room of Chalice house
Continuing last meetings discussion
Planning for Cookie baking event and fundraiser
Coming Soon
This year our Christmas pageant will be a Reader’s Theater of “A Christmas Carol”
Please see Rev. John or Erin Connolly if you would like to participate. We will be doing read-throughs starting 12/15 at 9am. To be presented in service on 12/22
Our OWL program begins again starting in January 2025 – OWL will be geared to kids in grades 4-6. Covering a range of topics, including sexual health, gender identity, and relationships. The program is based on the principles of inclusivity, justice, responsibility, sexual health, and self-worth.
If you are interested in learning more please sign up!
Please check out our Remind classroom. If you need to signup link here: remind.com/join/refuucbc
Register for 2024-2025 learning year: each year we need a new registration – fill yours out today www.uuberks.org/registration
This Month’s Theme is Presence –
This month’s bedtime story is Life in the Present: A Joyful Collection of Comics About Living in the Moment by Liz Climo. Dive into the humor and warm-hearted wisdom from adorable bears, otters, bunny rabbits, and hamsters (among others) who help us all to see the beauty in life’s least significant occasions.
This week we will continue exploring The Value of Labor
email Ginny Chudgar for more info (see directory for address)
9:30 All Ages RE
We will be meeting in Gerber room and heading to kidspace
This week we are creating Snowflakes and Paper chains to help decorate the church at our Greening of the Sanctuary! Children are invited to let their inner artist thrive to create winter scenes to decorate the church.
No Youth Group this week
Coming Soon
This year our Christmas pageant will be a Reader’s Theater of “A Christmas Carol”
Please see Rev. John or Erin Connolly if you would like to participate. We will be doing read-throughs starting 12/15. To be presented in service on 12/22
Our OWL program begins again starting in January 2025 – OWL will be geared to kids in grades 4-6. Covering a range of topics, including sexual health, gender identity, and relationships. The program is based on the principles of inclusivity, justice, responsibility, sexual health, and self-worth.
If you are interested in learning more please sign up!
Please check out our Remind classroom. If you need to signup link here: remind.com/join/refuucbc
Register for 2024-2025 learning year: each year we need a new registration – fill yours out today www.uuberks.org/registration
The Board of Directors encourages your participation in the Upcoming Congregational meeting this Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 11:45 AM in the Sanctuary. We will end before 1 PM. This is one of two congregational meetings that occur each year as stipulated in our bylaws. Members, please plan to attend. Non- members are welcome to attend, but cannot participate in voting. Attendance can be in person or via zoom at our regulate service link. Agenda Minutes from last Congregational Meeting Share the plate nominees
Sunday Volunteers: Greeters: Lisa F. & Dennis W. Ushers: Karen N. & Marta B. Coffee Crew: Bonnie A. & Lynn O.
Special Plate Voting Ballot – 2025-27
Hello First U.U. Family,
Please pick TWO organizations that you would like to see our congregation support and participate in their programming.
Please vote only once (EITHER by paper during the meeting OR here electronically) by midnight Dec. 8th, 2024.
All groups are registered nonprofit organizations and offer services that align with our shared values.
The Youth Group is holding a Holiday Cookie Sale as a Church Fundraiser and are requesting cookie donations. We need 12 dozen undecorated sugar cookies for the youth to decorate. We are also in need of many, many more dozens of cookies to sell of all types and varieties.
All cookie donations are due at the church from 9-10:00 am on Saturday, December 14 so the youth can decorate, sort, and tag the cookies for sale. Or they can be dropped off at the church in the week leading up to the sale. The sale will be held after church on Sunday, December 15.
Please sign up to donate a dozen, 3 dozen, 6 dozen or more Holiday Cookies! Your baking hobby can help raise money for UU Berks. Label your cookies (type of cookie) and let us know if there are any special notes such as gluten, nut, egg or dairy free. Please label all cookies that have nuts, otherwise we will assume the donations have gluten, dairy and eggs unless you tell us otherwise.
For Cookie Lovers, come to church on Sunday, December 15 and bring your checkbook or cash. We will be selling the congregation’s homemade delights just in time for you to bring to holiday gatherings or to share with family and friends. For questions or to schedule an alternate cookie drop-off, contact Lynn O. All proceeds will go to the Church.
In addition to our Christmas Cookie sale on Dec. 15, we will also be selling Equal Exchange products after church on DEC. 1 and DEC. 15. Equal Exchange makes the wonderful coffee which we enjoy every Sunday. We will have coffee, tea, chocolate, even dried fruit and nuts for sale! All are Fair Trade products, so Third World growers are paid a better price for their labor. Items start at $5! You can pay by cash, check, or Venmo! And funds will help FUUBC
From This Month’s Board of Directors Meeting: This month the Board prepped for congregational meeting & Rev. John’s installation
Game Day
Do you enjoy board and card games? Join us after coffee hour on Sunday, January 12th. We hope to start at 12:30 and finish up by 5PM. The plan is to have multiple tables set up with a different game at each table. Please bring a few of your favorite games and a snack to share, I plan to bring popcorn and the game Catan. Feel free to invite friends who enjoy board games as well.
I hope to see you there
Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way…
Do you enjoy singing during the holiday season? Justin Bortz reached out to me about organizing a caroling event. He’s created 20 caroling books and is looking for interested participants.
Is anyone interested in joining? Contact Frank W.
Building Maintenance Goes Digital!
The Building Keepers are excited to announce a new, streamlined way to submit maintenance requests! Now, you can easily report any issues using a convenient Google Form accessible from your smartphone or laptop. This digital system will help us track and resolve projects more efficiently.
Here’s how to submit a request:
Look for QR Codes: Scan the QR codes posted around the building using your smartphone’s camera app.
Direct Link: Alternatively, you can access the form directly by visiting this link on your laptop or phone’s browser: https://uuberks.org/bk-ticket
We appreciate your cooperation in using this new system. It will allow us to better serve you and maintain our facilities effectively.
FUUBC is part of the Giant charitable grocery scrip program that gives 10% of all gift cards sold back to our church. You can purchase cards as needed or sign up for a monthly gift card order that will be sent directly to your home the first week of each month.
When you receive your order you will also receive a return envelope to mail your check to the church. Checks can also be dropped in the Gerber room drop box or in the plate collection. Checks should be made out to FUUBC with giant card in the memo line.
If you would like to purchase Giant cards please return the form below to Melissa at office@uuberks.org. One time cards can also be purchased from Melissa at coffee hour twice a month.
Giant cards are available in $50 and $100 increments.
As I write this, Jess and I are twelve days out from bringing our AirBnB adventures in Berks County to a close. On December 2nd, we’ll take possession of our new home, and then get right to work on the most important first step of settling — figuring out where the Christmas tree goes.
It’s a big task. We’re creating a new tradition in a new home, and tree placement sets the tone for the holidays. Then comes the rest of the holiday preparations, at home and at church, coupled with getting the new house settled. This December is shaping up to be a very full one. And I’ll confess, I can skew towards Grinchiness most years. All this coupled with the barrage of holiday commercialization means that this year, I’m paying special attention that my heart doesn’t wind up two sizes too small.
This is the big reason why this minister, at least, is grateful for Advent. For me, it’s the antidote for Grinch – an intentional, mindful moment to step out of the mad freeway rush toward December 25th and regain some focus and perspective on the deeper meaning of the season. One candle each for peace, hope, joy, and love. One candle a week to cast out the shadows and sear these ideals in my heart.
I’m glad to hear Advent is nothing new for this congregation. This month, we’ll take a moment in each service to light our Advent candles with a brief meditation on its themes. I hope you can find a place for yourself in that moment – a welcome into a pause and a moment for mindful reflection.
See you in church!
The Gift of Presence
Happy Thanksgiving! And welcome to the beginning of advent. How did that happen so quickly? As we move into December we enter a state of heightened activity. While the earth prepares to sleep, we humans prepare for our holiday season. Prepping for the holiday can cause a panic for some. Is it all done? Did you find that special item you put out every year to welcome winter? What are your holiday plans, and how do you feel the presence of spirit through the season? How do you not get trapped in the hustle and bustle? Our culture pushes us to consume. Eat more cookies, buy more gifts, find more joy. What can we do to feel the real presence of spirit in this time? I urge you to STOP. Stop it all. Wrap up in your favorite warm coat, take the hand of your most loved and take a walk. Breathe, and search for the presence.
Christmas and mid winter holidays for thousands of years give people the opportunity to embrace the light in the coldest and darkest of days. A time to observe all we have done through the year and find warmth and light in our families and love.
What is your favorite tradition for Christmas? When do you feel the presence of December and mid winter? For me I wander the woods at sunset. If it is snowing even better. The cold air and tiny flakes reflecting in the moonlight. The gentle song of wind though branches. Cold, Alone, Quiet, Perfect. That crunch of dry leaves under my feet and the bite of wind on my face, brings me to a place of pure presence. I am here. I breathe. I look for the light and sparkle of nature in the woods. I revel in the warmth of that glow of nature along the tree line as the sun sets. I look for the lights. Take a few moments as you read this. Close your eyes and remember your favorite presence of the holiday. Welcome to advent everyone. A blessed holiday to all.
Miss Erin
practice presents
by nadine j. smet-weiss spiritual director
follow your breath into awareness of subtle sensation barely perceptible vibration that is beingness alive in you
