UUCM's annual holiday play returns this Sunday, December 21 with a reprise of Hark! A(n) (Ambivalent) Unitarian Christmas. This year is the 21st year of our annual UUCM Holiday Play, and again this year, it's written and directed by our very own esteemed playwright, Jeffrey Hatcher. There are two performances at UUCM at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. version will also be live-streamed. Every year the holiday play serves as a fundraiser for UUCM. All ticket sale proceeds will go to support UUCM's mission to Connect, Grow, and Act. The play is always a laugh-out-loud celebration of the season and our community, and no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. A suggested donation is $15/ticket. Tickets will be on sale after the service today and at the door.
UUCM Staff Holiday Gift! As we approach the holidays, the Board is continuing the tradition of making a year-end gift to our staff in recognition of all of their hard work and wonderful contributions this past year. We welcome your cash, check or credit card donations by Tuesday, December 23.
NEW: Join the Racial Justice Team for a screening of the film Rustin on January 10. The film tells the story of Bayard Rustin the brilliant, and gay, organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. It follows Rustin's eight week effort to organize the 1963 March while battling not only the raw racism of the times, but the open homophobia of his fellow civil rights organization leadership and society. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 6, followed by a Zoom Q&A session with Bayard Rustin's partner Walter Naegle.
NEW: Join the Housing Justice Team at Beacon’s Convening 2026: Faith in Home, Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7 p.m. Please register now at beaconinterfaith/events and let them know you’re with UUCM. Convening is an annual gathering of the faith communities of the collaborative, where we hear inspiring music and speakers and get set to advocate for housing justice in the legislative session. As the date approaches, we will be making plans to carpool.
The UUCM Racial Justice Team is hosting another community book read in the new year. The book is Our History is The Future: Standing Rock VS The Dakota Access Pipeline, And The Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance by Nick Estes. The book explores how two centuries of Indigenous resistance created the movement proclaiming “Water is Life”. There will be two discussion sessions, on Zoom February 10 at 6:30 p.m. and in person the UUCM Chapel February 15 after the service. Please contact Marlys Johnson with questions.
RIDWELL REMINDER: Thanks for your great support of our Ridwell program. The next featured item is JEWELRY. Please bring it along with your usual items on or before next Prep Day on December 29 at 2:00. Remember to check the Ridwell website for what they accept and how you can get Ridwell at your home. Contact Kathy (612-590-9606) or Sue (612-703-2297) with questions.
Land Acknowledgement
We gather near the shores of Lake Minnetonka on the homeland of the Dakota people. As they have for generations, they care for this land as a living relative and the land continues to hold this story of kinship and deep reverence.
We acknowledge the unpardonable history that precedes our presence here; the broken promises and unfair treaties, forced removal, genocide and cultural assimilation.
We affirm our gratitude and respect for the Dakota people as the original stewards of this land and waters and recognize them as a sovereign nation.
We commit to being mindful caregivers of this sacred land, to repair ongoing injustices, and to grow in right relationship with Indigenous people.
For online technical support, text or call 612-486-2656 and a member of our team will help you.
Today 11:30 a.m. Soul Matters Sharing Circle Oak Room Whether you're new to UUCM or are a long-time member, we invite you to join a Soul Matters Circle this year at UUCM! These groups offer the opportunity to explore the monthly themes and connect with each other and our deepest selves. Please contact Rev. Lisa with questions. — 2 p.m. Holiday Play Performance 1 — 7 p.m. Holiday Play Performance 2 | Monday, December 22 6:30–7:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meeting UUCM Oak Room This is a mixed gender, open meeting called The Elevator is Broken - Use the ‘Steps’. Childcare is available. — 7–8:30 Virtual Soul Matters Sharing Circle Tuesday, December 23 6:30–8 p.m. Housing Justice Meeting Please contact Sue Fust for Zoom link. Wednesday, December 24 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Service UUCM Office Closed December 25-27 |
Chalice Lighting
We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith,
the light of truth, the warmth of love,
and the energy of action.
We believe:
Each person is important – Be kind in all you do
We’re free to learn together – And search for what is true
All people need a voice – Build a fair and peaceful world
We care for Mother Earth – And all who call her home.
#55: Dark of Winter
Dark of winter, soft and still,
Your quiet calm surrounds me.
Let my thoughts go where they will;
Ease my mind profoundly.
And then my soul will sing a song,
A blessed song of love eternal.
Gentle darkness soft and still,
bring your quiet to me.
Darkness, soothe my weary eyes,
That I may see more clearly.
When my heart with sorrow cries,
Comfort and caress me.
And then my soul may hear a voice,
A still small voice of love eternal.
Darkness, when my fears arise,
Let your peace flow through me.
Words: & Music: Shelley Jackson Denham
Singing Out the Children
Take our blessing, given free;
Sung as one community,
Love will be yours, whenever you cross our doors;
Rich in faith and growing minds;
Open to what seeking finds,
Now, as before, and on into days forevermore.
Victoria Sirois founded Asylum Pride House in 2022 after seeing first hand the lack of programming dedicated to meeting the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals seeking asylum. She comes to this work as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and resident of Philadelphia PA, where she lives with her girlfriend and cat.
Victoria Sirois
Founder and President
Offering
Donate online by visiting http://bit.ly/giveuucm
If you have a Breeze account, visit http://bit.ly/mygiveuucm to use saved payments.
Mail a check to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E Wayzata, MN 55391.
Make checks payable to UUCM. Please write “Social Generosity” on the memo line.
Thank you for your generous gifts!
Joy In The Morning
We’ll find joy in the mornin’,�Joy in the mornin’,�Joy in the mornin’,�In the mornin’ we’ll find joy.
We find hope in our children,�Hope in our children,�Hope in our children,�In our children we find hope.
We find strength in each other,�Strength in each other,�Strength in each other,�In each other we find strength.
There is love all around us,�Love all around us,�Love all around us,�All around us there is love.
Words: & Music: Adam Podd
Extinguishing the Chalice
Even though we extinguish the light here,
the light of truth, the warmth of love
and the energy of action go with us in our hearts.
May we speak truth and align our actions with our speech.
May we go in love, and create love.
May the energy of this community sustain us
until we meet again.
Small Group Guidelines
Avoid cross-talk
Allow space for each person to share
It is okay to pass
Silence is okay
Listen for understanding
Ask for help as needed
Use “I” statements