Coordinated by Pat Lorei

What seeds are you planting for this New Year?

How are you weaving your magic into your relationships with others?

How can we center beauty and goodness and love in all that’s ahead?

These questions are at the heart of this worship collection, designed to be used by UU congregations.

The February 4 Sunday Service will consist of the video presentation (described above) shown both in our physical sanctuary and the virtual sanctuary. It is UUA produced – and includes a Time For All Ages segment, a reading by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, and a sermon by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, and various musical selections throughout.

Coordinated by Pat Lorei

In place of a formal service on this last Sunday of the year, bring a

game you got for Christmas or a favorite from home. Let’s play

together! This is an opportunity for post-Christmas fellowship and

gamesmanship (or competition, if that’s how you roll). And if you are

so inspired, bring along a snack, cookies or a lite dish to share as well –

sort of a “no frills” Pot Luck. In-Person only, No ZOOM.

Speakers:  Rev. Kristina Church, Rev. Sunshine Wolfe & Michele Paich

Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and directs the planting of trees to that they will thrive and bear fruit in years to come.  An auspicious day to consider our own activities towards the future: our Religious Education program!  Join Rev. Kristina, RE director Michele Paich, and Rev. Sunshine Wolfe, our Congregational Life representative, as we reflect on a weekend of sharing visions.  How are we called to nurture UU families and children, supporting them as they grow and develop, in complicated times?

Speaker: Reverend Kristina Church

Let’s learn about Rev. Joseph Tuckerman (1778-1840), Unitarian minister whose ideas about how to eliminate poverty and other social ills were way ahead of his time!  Happy birthday to Rev. Tuckerman, founder of the UU Urban Ministry in Boston, precursor to the Social Gospel movement, and Unitarian spiritual ancestor, How can we continue to live into his vision of societal wholeness, in our own time and place?

Guest Speaker: Daryl Craig

Coordinator: Kelly Armor

Daryl Craig is the leader of the Blue Coats, a group of volunteer peacekeepers who defuse violence and promote safety among students and in the surrounding neighborhoods. These men and women in blue vests have become trusted friends and mentors, touchstones for the students as they arrive and depart school each day.

Mr. Craig firmly believes that communities are accountable for all children.  He states, “We either pick them up or let them down.  Either way, we are responsible.  They operate in a world we create.  The mission of the Blue Coats is to create heaven wherever we go – to create a positive world for the children.” Hear Mr Craig speak about his vision and how the Blue Coats are bringing peace, support, and hope.

Speaker: Rev. Kristina Church

Join us for a UU Erie Tradition: a special New Years service in the style of a New Orleans jazz funeral. At this all-ages service, we’ll remember and honor 2023 with music and ritual, then lay 2023 to rest and welcome the New Year with joy, hope, song and dance.

Afterwards, join us for a special “retro” fellowship hour in the Olympia Brown room, with tea served from silver teapots, dainty goodies, and our usual great conversation! (There will be coffee too, for those who prefer it!) You’re invited to dress “retro”, whatever that means to you for this fun and fabulous service wrapping up the celebration of our 125th year as a congregation!

Speaker: Rev. Kristina Church

10:30 AM – Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Zoom ONLY. No service in the sanctuary on this Sunday morning. For those who wish to gather via Zoom, Rev. Kristina will lead a brief virtual service followed by social time

7:00 PM The Holly and the Ivy: Christmas Eve 2023

Join us for our traditional Christmas Eve Service featuring Music and holiday readings. Social time after the service. Bring cookies to share

Speaker Rev. Kristina Church

Let’s celebrate and mark the coming Winter Solstice with stories and music to warm our hearts at the coldest and darkest time of the year.

So many of the world’s faiths celebrate and mark holy days that have to do with light in darkest December. What is it about a winter candle’s mysterious glow that seems to give us heart?

Do you find yourself being kinder to others than you are to yourself? Is it easier to forgive another’s mistake than it is to forgive an error of your own doing? Much like the oxygen mask in a depressurized plane, one must practice generosity of the self first. It’s easier said than done, but not impossible.

Let’s celebrate the incredible bounty of Turtle Island, as we recognize and honor the ultimate importance of Indigenous foods of North and South America in shaping world cuisine.

10:30 a.m.
Rev. Kristina Church

How does our faith call us to respond to the unspeakable joy of simply being alive? How should we give thanks for the greatest gift of all?