The North Unitarian Universalist Congregation Newsletter December 2007

Amahl and the Night Visitors

What would happen if one starry December night three magnificent kings arrived at your doorstep? Would you invite them in for food, entertainment, and a place to spend the night? A crippled shepherd boy answers these questions in the delightful opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

NUUC will be presenting this Christmas story on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. both evenings. The suggested donation is $15 for adults and $5 for children. A staffed nursery will be available for the youngest children. We hope you will bring the whole family and invite some of your neighbors. It's a great opportunity for us to show off our religious community and the incredible musical talent in our congregation. Barbara Lubberger, Kurt Zielenbach, Aaron Saling, and Nick Marconi sing the major roles. There is also a chorus of shepherds and a cast of dancers, all of whom are members of this congregation. Even the stage construction, sewing of costumes, and lighting design have been provided by members.

Tickets for the shows are available every Sunday at the greeter's desk. Please take some fliers to hang up around the community too. At the Sunday service on December 9, we will be singing an excerpt from "Amahl" as the musical interlude.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors" will get you in the holiday spirit as you are awed by the amazing dramatic talents of NUUC members. I'll see you at the two performances on December 14 and 15!

Marlene Metz, Music Director

Dec. 4
        7:00pm – Yoga (drop-ins welcome)

Dec. 10
          6:30pm – “Amahl” rehearsal (S)

Dec. 11
          7:00pm – Worship Committee
          7:00pm – Yoga (drop-ins welcome)

Dec. 12
          6:30pm – “Amahl” rehearsal (S)
          Creative Fellowship cancelled

Dec. 14
          7:30pm – “Amahl and the Night Visitors”

Dec. 15
          9:00am – Board Meeting
          7:30pm – “Amahl and the Night Visitors”

Dec. 16
          Congregational Meeting (S) after services                               11:45am – Membership Committee

Dec. 18
          January 2008 newsletter deadline

Dec. 19
          12:30pm – Brown Bag Books

Dec. 20
          7:00pm – Spirituality Group

Dec. 24
          7:00pm – Christmas Eve Candle Service

Dec. 25

Dec. 31

Jan. 5
          10:30am – Covenant Group (N)

Jan. 6
          11:45am – Social Action Committee

Interested in Membership?

The most recent “New to UU” Orientation session was held on Sunday, November 18, during which Rev. Susan Ritchie and Eileen Watters presented information on the denomination’s (and our congregation’s) history and the meaning of membership. A New Member Sunday will be offered on December 9. If you or someone you know is interested in membership, please contact Rev. Ritchie at 740-657-8081 to discuss the membership process or to learn about future “New to UU” Orientation sessions being planned for 2008.

Yoga Classes at NUUC

Need a break from the stresses of holiday preparations? Certified Yoga instructor Holly Wilson will offer a drop-in yoga class on Tuesday Dec. 11 from 7:00-8:15pm in Fellowship Hall. The class is geared for those with little to no yoga experience and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Emphasis will be on safe, gentle stretching with the goals of increasing flexibility, strength, balance and range of motion. No previous attendance is required; you can pay $8.00 at the door per session.

Holly is considering offering another 8-week session beginning in January; watch the bulletin board for sign-up information.

For questions contact Jeri Dill at the church office at 740-657-8081, ext. 1 or nuucjdill@aol.com.

Our friend and member Marjorie Mogg died 7:30AM on Saturday, November 17 at the Kobacker House, faithfuly attended by family, friends, and fellow church members.  We will hold a memorial service for Marj here at the church on Monday, Dec. 17, at 11:00AM.  If you would be available to help usher and/or provide coffee hospitality to the family, please let Rev. Ritchie know that. Marj was a very generous and dignified person; it will be good to speak of her life together.

We will hold our traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve service on Monday, December 24 at 7:00 pm. (The church will also be open for Sunday worship at our regular time of 10:30 am on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30.) We will continue our tradition of decorating the sanctuary for the holidays with poinsettias donated by the congregation. Just bring in a poinsettia any Sunday between now and Christmas Eve. If you would like to dedicate your poinsettia to the memory of (or in honor of) someone special to you, please fill out a Dedication Form (available on the Greeter’s Desk and on the bulletin board). Your dedication will be annotated at the Christmas Eve service. (You are welcome to take your poinsettia home after the Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve service.)

Creative Fellowship to Meet at New Location!

There will be no Creative Fellowship meeting in December due to the busy holiday schedule. However, we’ll start off the new year with a new meeting location—“Java Central,” a coffee house located at 20 So. State Street in Westerville. Please join us on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7:00pm for coffee or hot chocolate, fellowship, and of course, the project you are currently working on. For questions about future meetings of this craft and fellowship group, contact Teri Cornell at 614-891-5935 or imuuteri@yahoo.com

After-Worship Discussions with Rev. Ritchie!

The Adult Religious Education Committee is sponsoring a new discussion format. Join Rev. Susan Ritchie in the parlor of Nielsen House after service on selected Sundays to converse further about the day’s worship topic. No need to sign up—just be at Nielsen House at 11:45am. Next discussions scheduled are for Jan. 13 (“God Wars”) and Feb. 10 (“the Half-Life of Sin”).