Celebrating the Holidays

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You are invited to join the UCM Worship Team in celebrating the December holidays with our church community. We are offering ways to be together outdoors & in-person and also virtually. Thank you for sharing in the holiday spirit of love, joy, hope, and community!

 

Sunday, December 19, 10am Online via Zoom and UCM Facebook Page, Joy in the Dark, Rev. Joan Javier-Duval
As the Winter Solstice approaches, let us open to the blessing of darkness. What joy can be found in the dim hours of our darkest nights? Go to www.ucmvt.org and click “Join worship.”

Sunday, December 19, 1:00-1:30pm Outdoor All Ages Solstice Circle in the UCM Church yard, Led by Liza Earle-Centers and volunteers
Fire, friendship, story and songs. Space limited to 20 people. Pre-registration required by Friday, December 17 at noon. Click here to find out more about COVID precautions and to pre-register. (Solstice Circles specifically for children in 4th grade or under will be held at 2:30pm and 3:00pm. Register here by Friday, December 17 at Noon.)

Thursday, December 23, 5:30-6:00pm Outdoor Carol Sing, UCM North Lawn, Led by Donia Prince, Verdis LeVar Robinson, and UCM Choir members
Come together to sing some favorite carols as Christmas approaches! Please RSVP here if you’d like to be notified of any event updates and to read our Covid safety protocols.

Friday, December 24, 2:00pm Outdoor No Rehearsal Christmas Pageant, Montpelier Pool Pavilion, Led by Rev. Joan and Liza
Most of the Christmas Story takes place in the open air, so this may be our most authentic telling that we’ve done yet!  We’re excited to keep this beloved, multigenerational UCM tradition alive!  RSVP is very much appreciated but walk-ins welcome. Click here to RSVP (includes more details about COVID precautions). RSVP also ensures you’ll get any email updates based on the weather or other factors.  Warm cider afterwards. (Photo by Anna Van Ness)

Friday, December 24, 6:30pm Online via Zoom and UCM Facebook Page, Love is Born: A Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candlelight, Rev. Joan Javier-Duval and UCM Worship Team


We celebrate the hope, peace, joy, love, and light of the Christmas season with a service of lessons, carols, and candle lighting. You are invited to have a candle near you to light during the service. Carols led by the UCM Choir. The Community Pouch Recipient for this service is the Good Samaritan Haven.  Musical offerings by the UCM Choir and special guests. The service will be followed by a brief time of fellowship over Zoom. Go to www.ucmvt.org and click “Join worship.”
Sunday, December 26, 10am Online via Zoom or UCM Facebook Page, What is Kwanzaa? Led by UCM Ministerial Intern, Verdis LeVar Robinson. 
Last year, Verdis introduced Kwanzaa, an African American celebration of life, and gifted a kinara (African candle holder) to the congregation. Join us as we dive a little deeper into the history and meanings of this contemporary African American tradition. Go to www.ucmvt.org and click “Join worship.”

Church operations will be closed and staff will be off from Monday, December 27 through Sunday, January 2. The congregation will be hosted by the UU Church of Delaware County via Zoom for worship on Sunday, January 2 at 10am. Details will be in the weekly e-news.

All church volunteers are encouraged to also take the week of Dec. 27-Jan. 2 off of church “business.” Let us all embrace a period of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation as we prepare for the new year.