The Week Ahead at UUCB

A Time To Be Born
Rev. Marcus Liefert
Sunday December 22
Worship Service 11 am“A time for every purpose under heaven,” the poet of Ecclesiastes wrote, naming the way in which time is not a generic commodity, but a moment-to-moment emergence. Let us celebrate the return of the sun and the stories that remind us of a hope that moves at the speed of life.In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube

Saturday December 21, 2024

4 pm Winter Solstice Celebration
In Person – We will begin with a fire ritual led by Rev. Marcus, followed by community sharing and sunset at 4:54 pm. Evening activities include walking the Tinsel Labyrinth, enjoying hot beverages and treats, and engaging in family-friendly fun like face painting. Families are encouraged to bring holiday treats, hopes, and intentions to celebrate the returning light in a warm, welcoming environment.

6:30 pm Youth Social Event
In Person – The Youth Group (middle & high school) meets on the third Saturday of the month to have fun and build community! Bring a friend! There will be food and games and good conversation. Please email Kathryn Jay, Director of Family Ministry for more information: kathryn@uucb.org.

Sunday December 22, 2024

10:30 pm Coffee and Community 
Atrium – Starts at 10:30 am in the Atrium

11 am Religious Education
In Person – Please email Kathryn Jay, Director of Family Ministry for more information: kathryn@uucb.org.

11 am Worship Service
In Person, Facebook Live and YouTube – A Time To Be Born. Rev. Marcus Liefert.

12:15 pm Light Lunch
Social Hall – Be our guest for a light lunch in the Social Hall after the service. Helpers to prepare food and clean up are always welcome!

1 pm Humanist Connections
Zoom – Paul Ulbrich will discuss “Why are people so certain of their views” followed by a group discussion. The Humanist Connections group meets weekly to discuss topics relating to our humanity, values, ideas. “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” (4th principle of Unitarian Universalism.) For more information, contact Ray Westergard.

2 pm La Befana: A Christmas Fable Concert
Kirke Mechem’s heart-warming, 40 minute-long cantata on the old Italian Christmas story of “La Befana”.  A joint project with SF Choral Society. Tickets $20. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The Week

Please reach out to your program leads and event organizers to find out if they are meeting during the week between Christmas and New Years Day. We try to be as accurate as possible in The Week Ahead, but things change last minute, especially during the holidays.

Monday, December 23

9 am Write for Your LifePlease email Kit Hewitt for Zoom link and details: khewitt@lmi.net.

9:30 am Women’s Meditation Group 
Zoom – Email Evelie Delfino Såles Posch evelie511@gmail.com.

5 pm Climate Justice CommitteeZoom – Contact SocialJustice@uucb.org for more information.

Tuesday, December 24
 Christmas Eve 

10 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi 
In Person – Email Neil Clark at chansujing@gmail.com for more information.

10 am Lunch Program at Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
In Person, off-site – Contact Gillian Smith at gillian.smith@yahoo.com.

12:15 pm Applied UU Buddhist SanghaZoom – Contact Lynnette Delgado for more info: lynnettedelgado@comcast.net

Wednesday, December 25
 Christmas Day. Staff holiday until Jan. 2. 

10:30 am Aging with Grace
Zoom – Contact Anne Greenwood annegt1@sbcglobal.net (510) 734-3378 or Jane Ramsey: Jane.rms@gmail.com or (510) 499-5204.

Thursday, December 26
Office Closed. Staff holiday until Jan. 2. 

Friday, December 27
Office Closed. Staff holiday until Jan. 2. 

9:30 am Improving Your Balance Through Tai Chi 
In Person – Email Neil Clark at chansujing@gmail.com for more information.

11 am Textile and ArtSafir Room – Contact Karen Tripp, Helen Toy, and Judy Samtrippklw@yahoo.com, helen_toy@yahoo.com, or jssam47@yahoo.com

Saturday, December 28
Office Closed. Staff holiday until Jan. 2. 

Upcoming Events

There will be no Week Ahead email for the week of Dec. 29 – Jan. 4.

Dec. 29 – Worship Service with Carolyn West as guest preacher
Jan. 26 – Board of Trustees Candidates Forum
Jan. 26 – PRIDE Project Movie Night
Feb. 2 & 9 – Pathway to Connection
Feb. 8 – Love Songs & Chocolate

Announcements & Resources

 
With the December departure of our Executive Director, UUCB is entering a transitional period in managing administration, finances, and operations. We are fortunate to have talented staff and a dedicated Staffing Task Force working to guide us during this time. Additionally, starting in February, we will also have an interim Executive Director, Sharon Dolan, to help us oversee the transition.
Read more.
 
Our dedicated staff provide the foundation for what makes UUCB a church that supports, challenges, and inspires us, and we thank them especially during this season. Through December 22, a donation box will be in the atrium to collect cash contributions of any amount, with a goal of raising at least $100 for each of our 21 staff members. The funds will be presented at a special staff gathering next month. Questions? Contact board member Helen Toy: helen_toy@ahoo.com.
 
Nominations for the UUCB Board of Trustees are open for those who wish to enter by Written Petition. The UUCB Bylaws state: Additional nominations (for open positions on the Board) may be made by Written Petition, signed by at least 4% of the certified membership of the church and delivered to the Vice President at least seven Sundays prior to the election. The deadline for Written Petitions is December 22.

Good Neighbor for December

Tiny Village Spirit: https://tinyvillagespirit.org/
The mission of Tiny Village Spirit is to work to end the crisis of homelessness through engaging communities in constituent led development of decent, dignified emergency housing villages and in community organizing for systemic change toward creating housing justice.

UUCB Staff and Board Availability

  • Board Listening Presence: Michael Armstrong: (510) 219-3847 michaelarmstrong2494@comcast.net
  • Rev. Marcus Liefert (Minister) meetings by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Email: revmarcus@uucb.org
  • Kathryn Jay (Director of Family Minstry) open office hours Tuesday and Thursday. By appointment on Wednesday and Friday.
  • Bryan Baker (Director of Music): in person Thursdays and Sunday mornings, and remotely Fridays. Email: bryan.baker@uucb.org
  • Janae Heard (Office Administrator): in office Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-3. Works remotely M-W-F. Email: janae@uucb.org
  • Peter Barnholdt (Facilities Manager): Tuesday-Friday 11-7:30.
  • Charis Domador (Connections Coordinator) works remotely M-F. Email: connections@uucb.org
  • Diana Steinbach (Finance Administrator) works remotely Mondays and Thursdays.

Stay in Touch

  • Pastoral Care Need? If you or a UUCB congregant you know is sick, hospitalized, recovering, grieving or otherwise in need of attention and support, please email us at pastoralcare@uucb.org. In case of a pastoral emergency, you may call Rev. Marcus Liefert at (510) 525-0302 ext. 303  He is always available for pastoral needs, as phone messages will be forwarded to him.
  • Subscribe to our newsletters.
  • To subscribe to the UUCB general discussion list email connections@uucb.org.
  • Subscribe to the Families discuss list
  • Social Justice email list: Email sejones1950@gmail.com

Submit items for The Week Ahead to weekahead@uucb.org by 8 am Wednesday. Please limit announcements to 325 characters (with spaces).

Submit items for the Beacon monthly newsletter to beacon@uucb.org by the 15th of the month.

Our Board of Trustees Widening the Circle Vision Statement:
“We, the trustees of UUCB commit ourselves to championing racialjustice, embodying anti-racist practices, and confronting anddismantling white supremacy culture and all forms of oppression(including but not limited to racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia,transphobia, classism, ageism, xenophobia and religious oppression,including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia) in everything we do.”


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