Our Seven UU Principles: 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth in our congregations. 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at-large. 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa Covenant: We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, Covenant with one another: To strengthen our church community while following our own spiritual paths,

To honor diversity as a source of communal strength and to be a welcoming

community;

Because our acts and words weave the web that connects us to one another:

We accept responsibility for what we do and say,

We communicate with one another in kindness and support,

We promote the safety and well being of the congregation,

We practice the democratic process,

We support this church with our money and time.

We make our contributions with compassion and commitment,

We work together to build a joyful community that affirms peace justice and

spiritual fulfillment.

We hold ourselves and each other responsible for adhering to this covenant.

UUCT Board of Trustees: Erik Gern David Reddy – President Pamela Jo Hatley

Jay Butler - Vice President Kim McDonald Lynnette Parrish - Treasurer Ron Phillips Trude Diamond- Secretary Jeff Stover

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF TAMPA Caring, Learning, Acting

11400 Morris Bridge Road Tampa, FL 33637 Phone 813-988-8188

E-mail: info@uutampa.org Web Site and YouTube Services: http://www.uutampa.org Rev. Patricia A. Owen, Minister

11:15am Sunday Service, December 23, 2018

‘In Our Hearts’ a Blue Christmas For some, the holidays aren't that bright.

Blue Christmas holds space for all experiences as sacred and holy.

Rev. Patricia A. Owen Worship Associate- David Durieux

*Please remember to turn your cell phone ringers off during the service

MISSION STATEMENT We are a faith community that values caring, learning, and acting on our Unitarian Universalist principles

The vision of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa is: We will become: A generous community where all members contribute time, talent, and treasure to our shared goals; A responsive community dedicated to religious exploration for all ages, caring for one another and welcoming all people of good will; A visible community with a heart for justice, actively seeking ways to be involved with our larger community; A growing community that stewards an expanded and updated campus with accessible facilities that will support our mission

Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

December 23, 2018

As you enter, please place a stone for a Joy, Sorrow or Intention at the stone stations. You are also invited to write

in the book of Joys and Sorrows.

*Please stand in body or spirit.

Prelude ‘Deck the Hall’ Dee Lynch with Dottie Mann, David Durieux, and Jerry Elsenrath

Welcome Announcements

Chalice Lighting

*Opening Hymn No. 246 ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’

Story for All Ages

Celebration of Children No. 1057 ‘Go Lifted Up’ Teal Hymnal ‘Singing the Journey’

Blue Christmas

Sharing of Joys and Sorrows

Worship Leader- Rev. Patricia A. Owen, UUCT Minister Worship Associate- David Durieux Participants- Erin Powers, Dir. of Religious Exploration Children & Youth Accompanist – Dee Lynch, UUCT Music Director and the UUCT Choir Sound- Jack Bunch Audio Visual and Slideshow Content Provider –Diane Gainforth

Blessing of the Stones

Pastoral Prayer

Silent Meditation

Music for Meditation

The Empty Chair

Blue Christmas Candles

‘In Our Hearts’ Rev. Patricia A. Owen

Offering and Offertory

Offertory Response: By the work of our hands, and the work of our

hearts, our love is made real. May we be grateful for all that is given, and grateful for all that is shared.

Reading ‘Christmas in Spite of Me’ Adapted by Max Coots

Closing Music ‘Seasons of Love’ ~Choir Arranged by Roger Emerson; UUCT Choir; with Vanessa Gilyard, soloist; Pamela Jo Hatley, bass

Extinguishing the Chalice

A warm welcome is extended to our visitors today.

Please join us in the multipurpose building for conversation and brighten your day and ours by using a yellow mug for your

refreshment.

Happening Today

Join us after the conclusion of the service today in the multi-purpose building for coffee. Please remember our coffee and snack fund is self sustaining, so before you partake, please stuff a dollar into the

donation can. If you have been enjoying the variety and quality of snacks make sure you continue to fund it.

Thank you and enjoy.

Tomorrow, Monday, December 24, 2018 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service,

‘No Power At All’ Rev. Patricia A. Owen

Service at 6:00pm

Next Sunday, December 30, 2018

‘Another Turn’ Rev. Patricia A. Owen

Sunday services are at 9:30am and 11:15am.

Following next Sunday’s service after coffee time: Conversations With The Board: Members of the Board of Trustees will be present for conversation after church in the

sanctuary. The purpose is to open communication and share ideas. Come with questions and ideas but always with an open mind.

TODAY / THIS WEEK AT CHURCH

Sunday, December 23

Service

Service

Youth Group Meeting (MPB room 5)

9:30am 11:15am 11-2pm

Monday, December 24

Christmas Eve Service

6:00pm

Tuesday, December 25

Christmas Day

Thursday, December 27

Women’s Choir Rehearsal

Choir Rehearsal

5-6pm 6:15-7:45pm

Friday, December 28

Yoga Class (MPB)

11am-noon

Saturday, December 29

Al-Anon (MPB room 2)

10:15-11:45am

Sunday, December 30

Service

Service

Youth Group Meeting (MPB room 5)

Conversation with the Board of Trustees

9:30am 11:15am 11-2pm 12:15-12:45pm

Monday, December 31

Tibetan Buddhist (cancelled this week)

mUUsic (cancelled this week)

Tuesday, January 1

Mindfulness Meditation (cancelled this wk)

Wednesday, January 2

SG Facilitators Meeting (large dome)

Navigators (MPB room 3 & 4)

6:45-8:30pm 7-9pm

Thursday, January 3

Women’s Choir Rehearsal

Choir Rehearsal

Small Group Choir

N.O.W. (MPB room 3)

5-6pm 6:15-7:45pm 7:45-8pm 7-8:30pm

Friday, January 4

Yoga Class (MPB)

11am-noon

Saturday, January 5

Pledge to End Racism(MPB room 3)

Al-Anon (MPB room 2)

9-11am 10:15-11:45am

Announcements

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the church? Look no further! Your time and your talent are needed to keep church activities going. If you can say hello, bake or cook, hand out an order of service, do some wizardry with the computer, and/or make coffee and set out refreshments, the gift of YOU can make a huge difference. And, if we all do a little, then no one person will have to do too much! Please sign up to help throughout the year—it’s the gift that keeps on giving: To volunteer to help with Coffee Time and other hospitality events (cook, set up, serve, clean up), contact Kathy Reddy hospitality@uutampa.org For greeting and ushering, to help with the ever growing Membership Committee or if you’re looking for something special to do, contact Christine Smith at membership@uutampa.org Remember, whatever you give you will get back many many times in the community of our church.

The Tampa Living The Pledge To End Racism Group invites you to join us in celebrating the overwhelming passage of Amendment 4: Restoring Voting Rights to Felons Who Have Served Their Time on January 6 after the service in the Multi-Purpose Building Rms. 3 and 4. This will also be the inauguration of the Living The Pledge To End Racism Library. The Library will focus on books and articles whose content broaden insights and encourage frank and meaningful discussion about race, gender, class, and ethnic issues. We hope to build this Library through book donations from generous members. Notice: Starting in January, the Cedars will be meeting the 3rd Tuesday of the month; 11am-1pm in the MPB. The Cedars Chalice Circle is so grateful to UUCT for helping support our foreign student! She thinks she will have a 3.8grade point average this semester with her double major of economics and sociology. Her goal is to become a lawyer. Pat yourself on the back for helping this young woman in her career goals. Mary Lou Jones, facilitator Contact info: mloujones.mlj@gmail.com

The UUCT mUUsic Group meets every Monday evening at 7:30 in the Small Dome. In the spirit of old-time hootenannys and good-time jam sessions, this is an gathering of musicians, vocalists, and just plain music lovers who want to make or listen to mUUsic. Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability. muusic@uutampa.org

Special Festivities Planned for January 7th mUUsic Monday Group! Cook up your favorite dish and bring it to the potluck dinner at 6:00 pm the first Monday night in January in the small done. We will be honoring former member Tom Raffel who will be visiting UUCT from his current Michigan university post. Many will remember Tom for his singing in the choir and others will remember his work on the Building Committee for the MPB. Come prepared for good eating, good fellowship and good music.

Announcements

Looking for Company for Christmas? Join our group for a Christmas Dinner at the Embassy Suites USF, December 25; 4:00pm Gathering at the bar and 5:00pm Dinner. We will be ordering from the menu. RSVP: Cay Cahalin by phone or text: (561) 306-7761 We may have some out of town guests at the dinner that are on

their way to SWIM, the Southeastern Winter Institute in Mid- Florida. This is a UU camp that meets from December 26th though

January 1st every year. We stay at a 4-H Camp in Sebring, Florida. For more information go to: www.swimuu.org You can call Candy Gale

(813)317-7660 or Jerry Elsenrath (813)270-7430. There is still time for you to register and join us for SWIM.

UUCT Choir News: WOMEN’S CHOIR meets on Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm The ADULT CHOIR (men and women) rehearsals are on Thurs, 6:15-7:45pm. For information, contact Music Director Dee Lynch, choir@uutampa.org.

Light Yoga Class, Friday at 11 am. Yoga Class meets in the Multi-Purpose Building. Bring a mat or towel and wear loose or stretchy clothing. We do light yogic stretching with no difficult poses. Cost: $7. (a church fund-raiser) Facilitator: Grant Wilson; yoga@uutampa.org All are welcome.

Circles in the Woods CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) holds Full Moon Celebrations on the Saturday closest to the full moon and other activities; All activities are open to the public and held at UUCT. Families are welcome but no pets please. For more information email cuups@uutampa.org or check out our online calendar http://uutampa.org/cuups-calendar/

Gifts of Poinsettia: The beautiful poinsettias displayed

in the sanctuary were donated by: Rhonda Scott in

honor of Rhonie & Ann Scott; Tempie Taudte in

memory of Mildred Taudte & Naomi Ward; Joe &

Deborah Adles in honor of all their ancestors;

Irene Bembry in memory of Lillie Wilson and in

honor of Jack Wilson; Pat Benedict, in memory of

Susan Lenz; Evelyn Cape, in memory of William

H. Cape and in honor of Merceda Merrick; Carl & Merrilyn Crosson; Fran

Davin; Trude Diamond in honor of Sara and Gilbert Wegad; Joyce Formica;

Ruth Gibney in honor of Kent and Ruth Gibney’s 50th anniversary; Bill & Marilyn

Katzenmeyer in memory of George Heindel, Jane Heindel and Robert & Violet

Katzenmeyer; Joan Lund in memory of her parents; Heidi McNeill; Gery Morey

in memory of Jim and Becky Osten; Robin Newcomer; Tary and Karole Peace in

memory of Bill Peace, Julia Juneal and Karl & Dorothy Karlson.