Our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula (UUFP) committees are integral in carrying out the mission of this congregation!  So how might you be a part of the meaningful activities and outreach both in and beyond our fellowship?

The chairs of the committees must be members of UUFP.  However, for the majority of committees, anyone—members, friends, teens; i.e., any interested individual—may serve on a committee.  We have a large variety of committees, and many committees have programs that can use some planning and implementing help.

Our committees include:  Adult Religious Education, Building, Caring, Children’s Religious Education, Communications, Denominational Affairs, EarthRising, Finance, Grounds, Membership, Music, Planning, Social Justice, Sunday Services, and others.  (Visit UUFP Committees for more info.)  Any of these committees would welcome new members.

One of our groups in which each one of us is a member is Hospitality.  Every four months, for one month of Sundays, one of the four Hospitality Teams (i.e., Engage, Generosity, Sage and Wonder) is responsible for the set-up of food/drinks and managing/cleanup of the common area.  If you have not been appointed to one of the Hospitality Teams, please let Meg Glenn-Albiez know.  This will aid in continuing to offer this time of fellowship and food in-between the two Sunday morning worship services.
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There are other committees that require an individual to be appointed to them, for example:  Audit, Committee on Ministry, Leadership Development and others.  If you wish to be a part of one of these, consider starting with a regular committee, so the Policy Board members will become familiar with your skills.

​At UUFP we want everyone to be as involved as one wishes to be.  As each of us discerns where to devote our time, talents and resources, the Committee on Ministry invites us to reach out to a committee chair, the board member on-call, or to email them at committeeonministry@uufp.org for information about volunteer opportunities.

Remembering Aristotle's words, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," we are grateful for our UUFP teamwork.  Thank you for serving!

If you are interested in learning more about PORT, there will be a brief informational meeting immediately after the second service on Sunday, December 16, in the sanctuary.  Contact either Bobbie Schilling or Henry Chambers (in person or via socialjustice@uufp.org) with any questions or if you are willing to volunteer for a three or four-hour shift.  Donations of money to buy the food or of new underwear and socks for the clients are greatly appreciated.  This is an excellent way to assist if you are unable to volunteer your time.  There will be a labeled donation basket for the underwear located near the Social Justice table outside the sanctuary doors.  Monetary donations designated for PORT may be placed in the collection baskets Sunday morning.  We welcome all who wish to help!  ​

Donna and I were having breakfast there with another couple from UUFP.  We've found that to be a good way to get to know other church people.  When we were new in town, two years ago, another couple invited us to breakfast there, and we came out feeling a bit closer to and more welcome in the Community.  As a result, we've made it a practice, over time, to invite other couples, new in church, to join us there for a similar experience. 

This time, as we usually do, we got to talking about UUism and what it has meant to us.  That's particularly meaningful to Donna and me, since we actually met at a UU church, thirty-two years ago.  And this time, perhaps more than on other occasions, the chemistry was particularly strong as we exchanged feelings and fears and hopes, and what effect our UU membership has had on these issues.

I could not help admiring the grace which this couple exhibited in dealing with life's issues.  And also, I couldn't help admiring the caring and honesty that my lovely Donna was demonstrating in this sensitive area, as well as the openness with which all of us were discussing some very personal matters.

And suddenly, as we turned to the role that a belief in God plays in all of this, I realized that the four of us expressing and receiving feelings and beliefs, admitting to fears and mistakes around that table were God.  The thing that we call God, I realized, wasn't a being or a quantity, at all, but an experience.  That which we call God was the experience of people being open and honest and caring, as we were, with one another at that particular moment.

theme: Inspiring

Unless otherwise noted, services include sermons preached by Rev. Andrew Clive Millard and take place at 9:30am and 11:15am on Sundays.

December 2nd: “Sharing Hope”
December 9th: “Keeping Faith”
December 16th: “Finding Joy”
December 23rd: “Knowing Love”

For decades, “Guest at Your Table” has been introducing Unitarian Universalists to real people impacted by human rights issues and to grassroots leaders making a difference around the world.  This year, the UU Service Committee’s theme is “Justice Across Borders”, with four stories that provide a personal glimpse into the lives of Central Americans making the perilous journey north in hope of finding refuge in the United States.  Each Sunday in Advent, we’ll meet one of the “guests” whose lives have been changed because of the generosity of UUs like us, and, in turn, their stories will be an inspiration to us.

On December 2nd and 9th, special music will be provided by “Doc” Robin van Tine; on December 16th, special music for flute and guitar will be provided by Marcy Stutzman and Jeffrey Hinkley; and on December 23rd, special music for flute and harp will be provided by Darla Wilmot and Mel Lauf!

Christmas Eve Services!
5pm on Monday December 24th: “The Other Wise Man”
7pm on Monday December 24th: “Bah! Humbug!”

We hold two services on Christmas Eve!  The earlier is a family service about the sharing of gifts and a journey to find the newborn king; the later explores the truth and meaning of a favorite tale of the season.  Each service features traditional Christmas carols and concludes with the beloved ceremony of passing the flame.

At both services, special music for Christmas will be provided by the UUFP’s ChorUUs and Winds!

December 30th: “Looking Back, Looking Forward”

Let’s take a look back into the past and forward into the future in preparation for the New Year!

EarthRising is the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula’s pagan group.  At thirty-one years of age, it is the oldest continuously active pagan group in Virginia.  EarthRising offers seasonal Earth-centered celebrations — at the solstices, equinoxes and cross-quarter days — in support of a modern, Nature-centered spirituality.

​Jacy Brooks  
Sarah Edwards
Julia Riach
David Walsh
Donna Sprock
Pat Sloan
Nancy Sessoms
Randy Phillips 
Michael Henry-Richardson
Alice Smith
Jackie Wilson
Erick Hagstrom
Mason Moseley