Happy December! We imagine that many of you have inboxes that look a bit like ours today, full of requests and reminders for Giving Tuesday. As we named in a recent sermon, one of the tools for resisting authoritarianism is supporting institutions. If you are in a position to contribute to institutions that matter, we hope that you give generously, leaning in to our UU value of generosity. You will see a way to contribute to UUSS later in this newsletter for Giving Tuesday. Feel free to share that with others in your life who share our values.

This month at UUSS we are exploring what it means to be a community of hope. Hope can come in many forms. Just this past week, some folks shared hope at the UUSS Thanksgiving dinner, and others shared hope with a visit from the Caring Team. Some fabulous kids and youth shared words of hope in last Sunday’s worship service, while some elders gathered on Monday and shared ways that they made it through times that felt hopeless.

Sometimes hope is hard to find. It can be very helpful to gather with others, particularly when we feel hopeless. Coming to worship, participating in classes, committing to serve on a Team, Committee, or Board, volunteering in other meaningful ways, and offering our financial support are ways we can increase our hope when things seem bleak. Being part of something matters. Come to the Holiday Hangout! Attend the Game Night! Come to the Peter Mayer concert! Attend worship! You just never know when your kind presence, a listening ear, a hug or high-five, or singing together might be what gives someone else hope. You can also make a big difference by supporting the Dining for Dollars event that supports a fantastic organization listed later in this newsletter.

With care,

Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy