December, 2019

December 15, 2019
“The Wow Factor”
Rev. Erin Dajka Holley

Awe has a tendency to stop us in our tracks and force us to pause and recognize it. These are moments to mark, and we will explore how to express this feeling.

December 22, 2019
“Solstice Service”
Worship Committee

Welcome the return of the sun with awe as we mark the Winter Solstice in a Neo-Pagan inspired service led by the Worship Committee.

December 24, 2019
“Christmas Eve Service”
Rev. Erin Dajka Holley

Together, we will re-tell the ancient story of a simple birth filled with hope and inspiration for the world. As we light candles, we bring light and hope into our own lives and beyond.

December 29, 2019
“Chocolate Communion”

When was the last time you gave genuine thought to from where something simple comes, such as chocolate? Increase your appreciation of a delicacy turned commodity as we track the story of chocolate and enjoy a piece with new appreciation.

January, 2020

January 5, 2020
“New Beginnings”
Worship Committee

On the first Sunday of the new year, we will reflect on the transition from old to new. The Worship Committee will lead us in a Fire Communion ceremony, in which we will write, on scraps of paper, phrases that represent the year behind us.

January 12, 2020
“Finding Me And Coming Home to Us”
Rev. Erin Dajka Holley

If we seek to live lives of integrity, we must also be true to our selves. In what ways have we allowed our sense of who we are to be chipped away, preventing us from being whole? Maybe, our community provides the opportunity to find out and live into who we are.

January 19, 2020
“Building Bridges by Creating Inclusive Spaces”
Troy Little

As you move from group to group in your day, have you ever asked how the minorities in those groups feel? Today’s service will discuss some of these possibilities and ways that you can make your spaces more inclusive to everybody.

Troy Little assumed the position of Director of Law Enforcement Programs at MVCC after a 22 year career with the New York State Police. he has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Albany and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in sociology with areas of specialization in race & ethnicity and political sociology. At MVCC, he administers the pre-employment police training program, teaches criminal justice and sociology, and is a member of the Diversity Council.

January 26, 2020
“You Are Special”

UU Utica invites the other Unitarian Universalist congregations of the Mohawk Valley to worship with us for this special Cluster Service. Nineteenth Century Unitarians shifted the focus on Jesus as God to that of Jesus as human, uplifted as the greatest exemplar of right living. Today, we shall uplift an exemplar of the Twentieth Century, Mr. Fred Rogers.