Amethyst Circle: An Addiction Recovery Group Following UU Values

Wednesday, December 11, 7-8pm

RE Meeting Room or Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/u4tdhkha

   Gather with others to offer and receive support on your addiction journey. This group is facilitated by Tony Huerta and is open to all.

Holiday Movie Night

Friday, Dec. 13, 5:30pm Pizza; 6pm Movie; 8pm Pick-Up, Fellowship Hall & RE Commons, Drop off available for kids & youth SIGN UP BY 12/11 REQUIRED

   Families are invited for some light-hearted holiday time together or to use this as a drop-and-shop opportunity. Sign up is REQUIRED. Email DLRE@peoriaUUchurch.org. We’ll have pizza in Fellowship Hall and popcorn and the movie in the RE Commons. Christmas jammies and snuggly friends are welcome!

Holiday Fair Trade Shopping

Sunday, December 15, Fellowship Hall, 10:30am for kids & youth to shop w/o caregivers; After service for everyone

   Come pick up some last-minute Fair Trade gifts for your holiday giving! Kids can shop during the service with an elf helper (UUCP Youth), and everyone is welcome to shop during coffee hour. The sale will be hosted by Ten Thousand Villages in Peoria Heights, and there will be a variety of items at all price points,starting at $3 with many around $10 and more above that. Sales tax will be added. Kids can wrap their gifts after making their purchases. If you want your child to participate, please check your kiddo in to RE before worship to complete the shopping list with budget, payment (cash or card), and permission. Those not participating will craft a small gift and participate in holiday-themed activities.

Christmas Caroling

Sunday, Dec. 15, 3pm, Carpool from church; Bring the kiddos! ~ All ages are welcome!

   Come join the fun! We’ll don funny hats and go to retirement homes. (Thanks to the Woessners for loaning the hats and sheet music.) Can’t read music? That’s ok! We’ll sing carols you know, and Kathy McNeil will play piano and make it easy to follow along. Can’t hit the right notes? That’s ok, too! We’re out to spread holiday cheer! For more info or to RSVP, call or text Kathy McNeil at 687-9739 or Bernie Humphrey at 309-360-4199.

Accessible Nature Exploration

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 10am; The Great Grove; For Teens & Adults

   Dress in layers to explore the Great Grove with Master Naturalist Jen McDaniel. We will walk slowly, never leave anyone behind, and keep an easy pace. There will be lots of time for observation and photo ops. Following the hike, Peggy West will host a small art project focused on leatherworking. As always, take care of your needs! This event is hosted by ACORN, a U of I Master Naturalist Group. It is free and open to ACORN members and the UUCP community. Please RSVP to JenniferCloseMcDaniel@gmail.com.

Yule: Into the Longest Night

Saturday, December 21, Fellowship Hall; Doors open at 5:30pm; Ritual begins at 6pm

   Solstice Night is upon us, and winter is here once again. In the dark chill of Yuletide, we call out for the sun to return. Will it answer the call? Keepers of the Great Grove, the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans chapter at UUCP, invites you to join us in our observance of Yule. There will be a time for bardic tales, ritual, and a small fire (weather permitting).  Bring a dish to pass and stay for the potluck.

Sacred Rest

Sunday, Dec. 22, 4pm; Attend on Zoom (link to come)

   You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.                                                      ~ Tricia Hersey in Rest is Resistance

   You deserve time to rest. Come and practice in community. On fourth Sundays, the Central Illinois Religious Educators will facilitate a guided rest experience on Zoom for our four congregations in Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Peoria, and Springfield.  Create a comfortable nest with a blanket or pillow, grab some water, and bring a journal if you wish. We’ll draw from the work of Tricia Hersey. If you would like a copy, her books and nap deck are on bookshelf.org. Watch for the Zoom link to come in the UU News. When you use the link, add your name and location.

“Lessons and Carols for Christmas Eve”

  For Christmas Eve, we share the message of Jesus’ birth through ancient and modern texts and beautiful music. This service will feature violin music from EmmaLee Holmes-Hicks and piano and organ from Sherry Seckler. Members, friends, family, and visitors are invited.