PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Christmas Tree sale and the new sanctuary flooring that will follow, all services will be held in the church Fellowship Hall until further notice. Please enter through the Soniat Street door..
Holiday Lessons
It is traditional in some Christian churches to call their Christmas Eve service "Lessons & Carols." We Unitarian Universalists believe there is much to be learned in all the ways that human beings have given meaning to their experience, and especially in the upcoming winter holiday season. Thus, our series of 10 services & events through December and part of January will be themed "Holiday Lessons."
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2007
Holiday Lessons, Part 1 of 10: Lessons from Advent -- Waiting
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger with special guest minister the Rev. Chris Bell of Santa Rosa, CA
Advent is a time of waiting for something wonderful that is coming in the future. Waiting can have both positive and negative aspects, which we'll explore this service.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2007
Holiday Lessons, Part 2 of 10: Lessons from Hanukkah & the Christmas Tree
The FUUNO Worship Team
The FUUNO Worship Team
Hanukkah celebrates a victory over oppressive forces, and the Christmas Tree reminds us of green life even in the cold of winter. Let us share the learnings from both of these traditions in this intergenerational service, during which we will decorate the church tree. _____________________________________________________
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007, 7 PM
Holiday Lessons, Part 3 of 10:
Special Greater New Orleans UU Family Holiday Service
Special Greater New Orleans UU Family Holiday Service
Music! Refreshments after!
Plus Live and In Person(ation) -- Charles Dickens!as personified by the Rev. Roger Brewin
Join UUs from all over metro New Orleans for this special holiday service by noted Victorian Unitarian, Charles Dickens, in the person of the Rev. Roger Brewin. Dickens was the author of several Christmas novels with a moral, the most famous being "A Christmas Carol." Join us for this family-friendly Saturday evening worship service with our UU family of Greater New Orleans.
Bonus: If you're in the mood, dress in your idea of period Victorian costume!
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2007
Holiday Lessons, Part 4 of 10: Chasing the Holiday Blues
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
One thing we've all learned -- it can be difficult to keep up the expected cheer and joy when under tremendous stress and pressure. Let's talk about ways to reduce negative energy during the holidays and keep the blues at bay! _____________________________________________________
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2007
Holiday Lessons, Part 5 of 10: Yule & The Rebirth of the Sun
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
Yule marks the Winter Sollstice, after which the days slowly begin to lengthen again. The ancients called it "the birth of the sun child." In this service, we will hold a ceremony of dedication for parent of infants and children. *Please contact the church office if you want your child dedicated in this service.*
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007
CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE & WASSAILING PARTY
5-5:30 PM, 6:30-7 PM, 8:30-9 PM
Before and after the 2 services on Christmas Eve, we will celebrate our community and the holiday in true First Church style with hot wassail (cold wassail if the weather is warm!) and holiday goodies! Join us for the celebration, and please remember to bring something to add to the festivities!
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007, 5:30 PM
Holiday Lessons, Part 6 of 10: Christmas Peace Communion
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
It seems humanity needs to keep relearning the message of peace. On this holy night, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus with a simple open communion ceremony in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Everyone is invited. _____________________________________________________
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007, 7 PM
Holiday Lessons, Part 7 of 10: Family Christmas Service
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger & many others
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger & many others
The old story of Christmas, a few new ones, beloved carols, the children's pagent, and candle-lighting in the darkened Sanctuary -- what more could anyone ask of an intergenerational Christmas serivce?
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2007
Holiday Lessons, Part 8 of 10: Jazz Funeral for the Old Year 2007
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger & many others
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger & many others
In the New Orleans jazz tradition, we will look back at 2007 and "bury" our negative experiences, in order to look ahead to the new year 2008 with faith and hope. A local jazz band will help us get in the mood. This service is intergenerational.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2008
Holiday Lessons, Part 9 of 10: Lessons from Evolution -- We Are Stardust!
Guest Speaker Conie Barlow
Guest Speaker Conie Barlow
Carl Sagan said 25 years ago, "We are star stuff!" Science writer and evolutionary humanist Connie Barlow will take us on a spiritual tour of the "cosmic creation story" offered by science, and we'll learn how it can delight our kids, guide our youth, and give us all a renewed relationship with our "kin" in the night sky. Connie Barlow and her partner, Rev. Michael Dowd, have presented programs at more than 250 UU churches; please help us welcome her this Sunday.
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2008
Holiday Lessons, Part 10 of 10: Lessons from Epiphany: Home by Another Way
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
The Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger
In this final service in our Holiday series, we will learn from the story of the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus. Special treat at coffeehour -- kingcakes!!
