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• Second Annual Soup Sampler Supper — Friday, Dec 8
• Colleen Sundstrom's Memorial Service — Dec 15, 1-3 p.m.
• No Monthly Potluck — Friday, Dec 15
• Pastoral Care and Connection Committee
• Birthdays
• UUCR Contact Information
• End of Reflections Notice at the VERY END

I stumbled upon the reading below by Rev. Elizabeth Tarbox (1944–1999) from her meditation book Evening Tides (1998). She so beautifully captures the experiences and opportunities inherent in the uncertainties of our lives, and she sets these realities in the holiday season. The reading served as the basis for the sermon I preached this past weekend at UUCR. (CLICK HERE for link to sermon).

The Shadows of Unknowing  by Rev. Elizabeth Tarbox

"Grey, the color of the lake before sunrise; grey, the underside of the gull that flies overhead while the earth blindly searches for morning. 

Give me grey. Grey the color of not sure, don't know yet. Grey the color of compromise, maybe, let me think about it; grey for talking things over, listening again, thinking some more. Grey for the shaded areas of the other point of view, for the possibility of change. Grey for the smudged edges of what once was dogma, and now is doubt. Grey. 

In the bright red and green, and blue and gold of the season, and the noise and the festivity, give me grey, for the quiet of my soul, the moment of heaviness before sleep, the peace of meditation. 

The steel grey of the lake mirrors the grey clouds overhead, and the bird meanders through the grace of morning flight, waiting, watching the movement of a grey walker watching him. The earth bows to find the dawn and feels its first slanting beams. 

Can I take this as a promise, I wonder. That after the questions, the doubts and the hours of contemplation, there will be gold through the grey, promise fulfilled and truth revealed. I don't know, but I believe in small epiphanies, a single beam of light in the darkness, some sought-for star, some one certainty emerging from the grey. Meanwhile, let us embrace doubt and cherish our unknowing and patiently await the dawn." 

In gentleness, 

Rev. Sue

We are at about the midpoint of the church year and the end of

another calendar year. I’m looking forward to the Solstice with its

guarantee that longer days will come. Until then, the Board and I

are working on several initiatives, on which we will need your

help.

First, a thank you to everyone who participated in the activity of

giving direction regarding Dorris Scott’s gift during the month of

November. The board had a small task force that talked through

possibilities, and we will be naming a committee to work on the

framework of how to manage the gift, based on your

recommendations.

The religious education program is doing outreach to families in

the area, to let them know we have a program, and to encourage

them to come to our Eve of the Eve service this year. Let’s hope

for a beautiful blend of generations at the service later this month!

In addition, in concert with the Leadership Development

Committee, we have begun the research and outreach to UUA

staff regarding a Ministerial Search, to efficiently go through the

process of finding a new minister for the future.

More to come on all of this in the New Year. If you have any

questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of the Board

members.

May the holiday season (whichever you celebrate) bring you

happiness and joy.

Last Chance to Make Reservations

for this Friday Night’s

Soup Sampler Supper & Sale at UUCR!

We are looking forward to a full house, but there are still a few places available. Make your reservation by emailing Jane Hardy at janewhardy@gmail.com. Please bring a beverage of your choice if you would like something other than water or cider.

Also, if you can come to UUCR on Friday morning 12/8 at 10 a.m. to help with set-up or on Saturday morning 12/9 at 10 a.m., to help with putting tables away and chairs back in the sanctuary, please contact Jane at janewhardy@gmail.com. Or, just come by if you discover you have the time! The more hands the better. 

CLICK HERE for more information.

The UUCR building is reserved

the afternoon of

Friday, December 15^th for

Colleen Sundstrom's

memorial service at 1-3 p.m.