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As the longest night of the year cradles us in its embrace, join us for a service celebrating the Winter Solstice—a time when darkness is not an absence, but a fertile ground for reflection, renewal, and the seeds of transformation. Together, we will honor the natural turning of the seasons, our deep interconnection with the earth, and the gifts that emerge from the quiet, generative spaces of life. Through poetry, music, and shared ritual, we’ll celebrate the beauty of this sacred season and the balance of darkness and light.

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We gather on Christmas Eve to hear the story, More Than Just a Star. The story is about a young shepherd boy named Micha who asks his father, “How will I know what to watch for?” That night and throughout the next day, Micah’s father shares signs of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, along with a symbol that the boy places in his shepherd’s bag to help him watch for that wondrous birth. The congregation will sing Christmas carols throughout the play. The service will be filled with special music performed by Lisa Popeil, Bill Montei, Thomas Weisbecker and Ruth Ricards. We will end with the traditional candlelit Silent Night as well as a new Christmas carol for all to sing. Come join in the spirit of Christmas Eve!

BIO - Lisa Popeil, has an MFA in Voice and has taught singing and speech beautification professionally for 50 years. Lisa is the creator of the Voiceworks® Method, and brings her passion for singing and music to vocal enthusiasts around the world. As a singer-songwriter, her self-titled album was a Billboard Top Album Pick in 1984. She has performed and recorded with Frank Zappa and her voice has appeared on many “Weird Al” Yanovic albums, on his latest film “Weird” and toured the US and Canada with Weird Al in 2019. Her vocal work spans classical, pop, R&B, jazz, country, and musical theater and she currently is focusing on teacher-training courses and voice research with universities, including UCLA.

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As it happens, Thomas Becket, onetime archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in his cathedral on this day in 1170. It feels like a perfect day to consider this past year, the year to come, and what it might mean to bear witness as religious liberals in tumultuous times.

BIO - The Reverend James Ishmael Ford served as a parish minister for twenty-five years and is minister emeritus at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Rhode Island. Today he is a community minister affiliated with Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena. James is also a long time Zen practitioner and teacher, and is the author of six books on aspects of spiritual life. His most recent book, the Intimate Way of Zen: Effort, Surrender, on the Spiritual Journey was published by Shambhala Publications this past summer. He also has a substack page, Unanswered Question. He and his spouse Jan currently live in Tujunga, where they care for Jan's 97 year old mother.

UUs of Our Past with Leslie Nichols

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NOTE: THIS IS IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM AND FACEBOOK. The community is invited to a meditation practice group of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, this Wednesday with leader, Jim Cole. This group celebrates the diversity of Buddhist, mindfulness, and other meditative orientations and welcomes participants from all contemplative traditions to attend. The group is open to everyone regardless of funds; there is a free will offering ($5 suggested with checks made to UUCSP with Meditation in the memo line, mailed to UUCSP, 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060). The meeting will begin with a reading and short discussion, with a guided meditation leading us into a time of silence. There is power in meditating together. We would love to have you join us. For more information call the office at 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org.

Parking is available on the street in front of the church. In addition, there are a limited number of parking spaces behind the church in the alley-way. A handicap accessible entrance with an electric lift is available on the east side of the building next to the side entrance.

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NOTE: THIS IS IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM AND FACEBOOK. The community is invited to a meditation practice group of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, this Wednesday with leader, Thomas Weisbecker. This group celebrates the diversity of Buddhist, mindfulness, and other meditative orientations and welcomes participants from all contemplative traditions to attend. The group is open to everyone regardless of funds; there is a free will offering ($5 suggested with checks made to UUCSP with Meditation in the memo line, mailed to UUCSP, 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060). The meeting will begin with a reading and short discussion, with a guided meditation leading us into a time of silence. There is power in meditating together. We would love to have you join us. For more information call the office at 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org.

Details

NOTE: THIS IS IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM AND FACEBOOK. The community is invited to a meditation practice group of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, this Wednesday with leader, Jim Cole. This group celebrates the diversity of Buddhist, mindfulness, and other meditative orientations and welcomes participants from all contemplative traditions to attend. The group is open to everyone regardless of funds; there is a free will offering ($5 suggested with checks made to UUCSP with Meditation in the memo line, mailed to UUCSP, 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060). The meeting will begin with a reading and short discussion, with a guided meditation leading us into a time of silence. There is power in meditating together. We would love to have you join us. For more information call the office at 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org.

Parking is available on the street in front of the church. In addition, there are a limited number of parking spaces behind the church in the alley-way. A handicap accessible entrance with an electric lift is available on the east side of the building next to the side entrance.

Details

NOTE: THIS IS IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM AND FACEBOOK. The community is invited to a meditation practice group of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula, this Wednesday with leader, Thomas Weisbecker. This group celebrates the diversity of Buddhist, mindfulness, and other meditative orientations and welcomes participants from all contemplative traditions to attend. The group is open to everyone regardless of funds; there is a free will offering ($5 suggested with checks made to UUCSP with Meditation in the memo line, mailed to UUCSP, 740 E Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060). The meeting will begin with a reading and short discussion, with a guided meditation leading us into a time of silence. There is power in meditating together. We would love to have you join us. For more information call the office at 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org.