The Holiday Season at Edmonton's Unitarian Churches

December is a time for many midwinter religious festivals: Jewish Hannukah, Muslim Ramadan, Pagan Yule, Christian Christmas, and African American Kwanzaa. Unitarians recognize the importance of this season, as the days grow shorter and the life-giving power of the sun is renewed as the year turns. Since Unitarians come from a variety of backgrounds-Christian, Jewish, pagan, humanist, and others-we offer services that allow us to reflect on the meaning of our lives during these long winter nights. Like others at this time of year, we spend time with family and friends, remembering those less fortunate than ourselves, and reaching out to those who experience this season as a lonely and painful time.

We believe all people have to develop their own spiritual lives. We try to plan services that will give our members and friends the right mood to do just that. We hope you will come and join us. Bring your beliefs and your needs. You'll find light, laughter, some tears, some messages of hope and, with luck, something that will make this holiday season special to you.

Rev. Brian J. Kiely, Unitarian Church of Edmonton
Intern Minister George Buchanan, Westwood Unitarian Congregation

Unitarian Church of Edmonton
12530 110 Avenue NW

December 5: George Buchannan
" Looking to Our Hearts"
As we worship, we will reflect on what it means to "set our hearts" on something. We might set our hearts on a loving relationship, a home, a family, a cause, or so many other possibilities. Together, we will consider some possible common threads here. George is the intern minister at Westwood Unitarian Congregation.

December 12: Chorealis
" Service of Lessons and Carols"
'Tis a season of beginnings-new life, new seasons and for us, a new home. Chorealis will explore these beginnings in song and lesson.

December 19: Rev. Brian J. Kiely and Rosemary Manning
" Mitten Tree"
Once again we will have our traditional pandemonious Christmas Service with stories, carols and of course the decorating of the Mitten Tree with your gifts of mitts, scarves and hats for the city's less fortunate. Or you can give cheques for USC Canada. This will be our last Mitten Tree in this building, so we will begin to say goodbye today.

Thursday, December 23 6:30 p.m.: Rev. Brian J. Kiely and the Pastoral Care Team
" Blue Christmas"
For many, Christmas is a difficult time, especially those grieving the recent loss of a loved one, or a change in their life circumstances. And some of us will also be grieving the leaving of this church. In this service we share the burdens of loss and grief, and then restore ourselves with a free supper of homemade soups, bread and pies prepared by volunteers. Come, and bring a friend.

Friday, December 24 7:00 p.m.: The Kiely Family
" Christmas Eve"
This will be a simple candlelight service of readings and carols including the Gospel birth story. Consider it a quiet hour in the midst of the holiday hubbub. There will be an opportunity to contribute to the "No Room at the Inn" housing fund following the service.

December 26: Rev. Brian J. Kiely and the Worship and Celebrations Committees
" Boxing Day Breakfast"
This will be the last service and meal in our church home. Bring food to share starting around 9:30 (and bring your own plates and cutlery if you don't wish to use disposables … our kitchen stuff might be packed). At 11:00 a.m. we will have a service. We will take our banners down from the walls, think about what this place has been to us, bless this building for all who come after, and remove our chalice light from the sanctuary. Then, we will take these things to our new church. Brian and some Worship Committee folk have committed to walk the chalice light over no matter what the weather. The rest can drive or walk as is their preference. We will briefly conclude at the new church and then enjoy hot chocolate and cider.

Westwood Unitarian Congregation
11135 65 Avenue NW

December 5: Speaker Jim Gurnett
" Housing Security"

December 12: Kath Oltsher and Westwood Kids
" Winter Celebrations"

December 19: George Buchanan and Dean Wood
" Stories and Carols of Christmas"
We will enjoy the music and stories of the Christmas tradition together, reflect on where these stories came from, and consider what meaning Christmas might have for us as Unitarian Universalists in today's world.

December 21: Solstice Services
We invite you and your friends and family to join us at one (or more!) Of our services to celebrate this special time of year. There will be a reception following each service.

7:00 pm: Pam and Owen Brierly and Janice Williamson
A Family service-Bring the kids and we'll all celebrate the gifts of the darkness and of the light. Childcare will be provided at this service.

9:00 pm: Deidra Helmig and Dean Chan
Solstice Service-A more reflective service.

11:00 pm: Mitch Waldon, Lorian Kennedy and Laurie Litwinson
A Traditional Pagan Service-Ritualize the turning of the wheel of the seasons with movement and chanting.

December 26: Pancake Breakfast
No formal service