2024 December Holiday Happenings at WUUC at Sanctuary/Ditzler Hall
We can only make all these events happen with the wonderful volunteers in our community. Please click on the link below to view a description of all the holiday events and sign up to participate in person and/or contribute items for the events.
Here’s the link to volunteer: Holiday Happenings sign-ups
Decorating the Giving Tree and Ditzler Hall, Potluck 12/1 11:30 a.m.
Our Giving Tree will be set up and ready for decorating. Gift tags from Friends of Youth will be available. Enjoy some additional decorating of Ditzler Hall to kick off the holiday season. Bring a potluck offering to share with the community.
Crafting and Children’s Gift Shopping, 12/8 11:30 a.m.
Simple holiday crafting and art activities will be available for the enjoyment of children and adults alike. We will also offer the children an opportunity to choose small gifts to wrap and give to their family members and friends. After they are done, it is open to the rest of the congregation to “shop”. Gift items are all free. Please bring new or gently used unwrapped giftable items to church on or before 12/8. If before 12/8, put gift items in a box in the church office by the desk in the far back corner that will be labeled for the “Children’s Gift Shopping.”
Cookie Exchange and Neighbors in Need Gifting Project, 12/15 11:30 a.m.
Please bring 1-2 dozen of your favorite holiday cookies for exchange. Include a list of main ingredients with your cookies to accommodate a variety of dietary choices and for allergy awareness. Gather with others in our community to assemble care kits/packages for neighbors in need in our geographic area. Watch your email for a list of things that we’ll be asking people to bring to put in the kits. Cards with holiday wishes can be written as well during this activity.
Solstice Labyrinth Walk, 12/21 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The labyrinth is an ancient symbol that has been used by pagans and Christians alike. To walk the labyrinth is to walk an inner journey of contemplation and reflection. The walk has three phases: the walk in, outer circle to inner circle; the center is the deepest place of the heart and light; the journey of return, inner to outer circle. Come enter the darkness and walk toward the inbreaking of light. The WUUC labyrinth path is lined with luminarias: decorative winter holiday lanterns made with paper bags, which are partially filled with sand and a lit tea candle. Once set and lit, they glow with a unique warmth and beauty in our sanctuary.
All Community Brunch, 12/22 11:30 a.m.
After an all-music Sunday worship service, enjoy a delicious pancakes/eggs/sausage/fruit brunch with others in the community. Vegan options will be available.
Carol Singing for All Ages, 12/24 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Enjoy singing familiar holiday carols with Johnna Ebanks and Terry Levitt leading and accompanying the singing.
Christmas Eve Service for All Ages, 12/24 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Our Christmas Eve service will be filled with music, story, time for reflection, and our traditional lighting of candles at the end of the service.
Burning Bowl Service, 12/29 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., then Potluck after Service
The beginning of the calendar year is an opportunity to let go of the old and set one’s intentions for the new year. There will be four altars set for that purpose: a burning bowl to burn away the old, water to symbolically cleanse one’s self, oil to anoint one’s self with intention, and candles to light to give the hopes light and the fire of commitment. Come and “cleanse the chambers of the heart,” to make room for the new. Bring a potluck offering to share with the Community.
| DATE/TIME | LOCATION | ACTIVITY | COORDINATOR(S) | NOTES |
| December 1 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Decorating the Giving Tree and Ditzler Hall Potluck | Ann Lu | Giving Tree will have gift tags for Friends of Youth |
| December 8 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Crafting and Kids’ Gift Shopping | Jan Radoslovich | Invite congregation to bring items for kids’ gift table |
| December 15 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Cookie Exchange and Homeless Gifting Project | Jan Radoslovich and Rachel Eddy | Invite congregation to bring cookies for exchange |
| December 21 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Solstice Labyrinth Walk | Ann Lu and Tevina Flood | |
| December 22 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | All Community Brunch | Jan Radoslovich and Tevina Flood | Serving: pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit |
| December 24 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Carol Singing for all Ages | Johnna Ebanks and Terry Levitt | Cookies and hot cider available |
| December 24 4:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Christmas Eve Service for all Ages | Rachel Eddy | |
| December 29 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. | Ditzler Hall/Sanctuary | Burning Bowl Service and Potluck after Service | Rachel Eddy Tevina Flood |