This morning, Rev. Nancy reminded us how people have always understood this season in story. Today in the US, many point to one particular story of the reason for this season (and many more define ourselves in part by how we view that story). However, there is a rich, diverse history throughout the world of many stories that tell of light born from darkness and of celebrations in the time of darkness.
Rev. Nancy shared several, and I'll add one more, from (you guessed it) Japan:
The Goddess of the Sun had been fighting with her brother, the God of Storms, and at one point she got so upset that she hid herself in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods hit upon a solution and threw a big celebration at the mouth of the cave. The sounds of revelry piqued the Sun Goddess' curiosity, and she went and peeked out. When she did, she was stunned by a dazzling light — her own reflection in a sacred mirror. The other gods pulled her out and placed a holy seal on the mouth of the cave, bringing light to the world once again.
Another story of a celebration in the darkness to summon back the light.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Eve service this Wednesday evening, December 24th at 7 pm. There will be singing, games, and more! Contact Carol Bontempo for more information.
Next Sunday, December 28th:
Guest At Your Table Donations Due.
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Shall We End Juvenile Prisons?" Betty Cooper
Nell Bernstein in "Burning Down the House" reveals a shocking truth: what adults do to children behind the walls of America's juvenile prisons is criminal.
Parents Workshop - 9:30 am
Leader: Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe.
Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Thoughts on the New Year," Open Mic and Fire Communion
All are invited to share thoughts or readings.
Plus Children's RE with Katherine Connor; Aide Needed!
Youth RE is available. Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
Submissions for the January Newsletter and print calendar are due TODAY. E-mail any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP.
We need Adult Forum leaders and RE volunteers for January. To lead the Adult Forum, contact Laura Gilkey; to help with RE, contact Barb Koenig.
The list of Values is still posted in the back of the sanctuary, with stickers for everyone to mark their top three. Please give us your feedback!
This Wednesday evening, December 24th, we will be having a Christmas Eve service; see above.
We have some holiday cancellations this week: the Transgender Support Group will NOT be meeting on Thursday (Christmas Day), and we will NOT be serving our monthly meal at the Salvation Army on Friday (the day after Christmas).
Friday evening, December 26th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is this month's Last Friday Documentary film: "Griefwalker," about a shaman's approach to end-of-life care and death as a part of life. Contact Bob Boldt.
Community Events this week:
Next Saturday, December 27th, Missouri River Regional Library hosts: "Crime Scene: a Dramatic Reading from Dead Red." Author Tim O’Mara and local actors Jack Renner and Tom Renner will do a reading adapted from Dead Red, O’Mara’s new book to be published in January 2015. Dead Red is filled with the kinds of unexpected twists that make for the best crime fiction, and with secrets that run far deeper than loyalties. O’Mara has been a New York City school teacher for more than 25 years and has deep Jefferson City connections. Contact Madeline Matson.
This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Force Majeure" and "The Homesman." For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.
For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.
Rev. Nancy shared several, and I'll add one more, from (you guessed it) Japan:
The Goddess of the Sun had been fighting with her brother, the God of Storms, and at one point she got so upset that she hid herself in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods hit upon a solution and threw a big celebration at the mouth of the cave. The sounds of revelry piqued the Sun Goddess' curiosity, and she went and peeked out. When she did, she was stunned by a dazzling light — her own reflection in a sacred mirror. The other gods pulled her out and placed a holy seal on the mouth of the cave, bringing light to the world once again.
Another story of a celebration in the darkness to summon back the light.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the holidays with a Christmas Eve service this Wednesday evening, December 24th at 7 pm. There will be singing, games, and more! Contact Carol Bontempo for more information.
Next Sunday, December 28th:
Guest At Your Table Donations Due.
Adult Forum - 9:15 am
"Shall We End Juvenile Prisons?" Betty Cooper
Nell Bernstein in "Burning Down the House" reveals a shocking truth: what adults do to children behind the walls of America's juvenile prisons is criminal.
Parents Workshop - 9:30 am
Leader: Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe.
Service and Religious Education - 10:30 am
Message: "Thoughts on the New Year," Open Mic and Fire Communion
All are invited to share thoughts or readings.
Plus Children's RE with Katherine Connor; Aide Needed!
Youth RE is available. Contact Alexis Engelbrecht-Villafañe.
UUFJC News and Events this week:
Submissions for the January Newsletter and print calendar are due TODAY. E-mail any last-minute items to Laura Gilkey ASAP.
We need Adult Forum leaders and RE volunteers for January. To lead the Adult Forum, contact Laura Gilkey; to help with RE, contact Barb Koenig.
The list of Values is still posted in the back of the sanctuary, with stickers for everyone to mark their top three. Please give us your feedback!
This Wednesday evening, December 24th, we will be having a Christmas Eve service; see above.
We have some holiday cancellations this week: the Transgender Support Group will NOT be meeting on Thursday (Christmas Day), and we will NOT be serving our monthly meal at the Salvation Army on Friday (the day after Christmas).
Friday evening, December 26th at 7 pm at the Fellowship is this month's Last Friday Documentary film: "Griefwalker," about a shaman's approach to end-of-life care and death as a part of life. Contact Bob Boldt.
Community Events this week:
Next Saturday, December 27th, Missouri River Regional Library hosts: "Crime Scene: a Dramatic Reading from Dead Red." Author Tim O’Mara and local actors Jack Renner and Tom Renner will do a reading adapted from Dead Red, O’Mara’s new book to be published in January 2015. Dead Red is filled with the kinds of unexpected twists that make for the best crime fiction, and with secrets that run far deeper than loyalties. O’Mara has been a New York City school teacher for more than 25 years and has deep Jefferson City connections. Contact Madeline Matson.
This week, Capitol City Cinema presents "Force Majeure" and "The Homesman." For showtimes and more information, visit: http://www.capitolcitycinema.org/.
For yoga and even more events, see our Calendars.
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