​Dearest community,
As vaccines begin to roll out and we mark the longest nights of the year, many of us are celebrating our first hints of future light and hope at the end of what has been a long and lonely ten months. Your re-opening committee has been meeting ​regularly to discuss not how to open our church – our church community has always been open – but when we might be able to see one another in person and how we can best do that safely. 

Friday, Dec. 18th at 7:00pm. This is a ‘one-time-event’, so mark your calendars NOW!  All lyrics will be scrolled during the Zoom Singalong, or you can download the lyrics in advance here, or you can use a separate device to download and view the lyrics. A maximum of 100 devices will be able to sign-on to the Singalong. There will be some time to say ‘Hello’ to others before and after the Singalong.   Hope to 'see' you for an hour of singing some of your favorite holiday songs with your UU community!

In September 2020, members of the Living the Homestretch committee shared a presentation on many different ways that people can learn, explore, and entertain themselves while remaining safe at home or socially distancing.  The ideas shared ranged from scenic local walks, to programs offered by universities, to virtually visiting museums, and even to taking a peek into outer space! While some programs are specific to elders, many options are open to people of all ages. At the end of the meeting, participants shared their own ideas for fun and enriching pandemic activities, adding more options for anyone looking for a meaningful way to spend some winter weeks indoors. Check out the list here:  safe_pandemic_activities.pdf.

By Maureen McNair 
Less than two miles from our South Bay Food Pantry in Chula Vista, UC San Diego Medical School is conducting a Covid-19 prevention study to evaluate a vaccine. Pantry volunteer Jude Outwater, a senior at Lesley University in Boston and son of Board Vice President Julie Forrest, organized a visit by a representative from the Medical School to recruit study volunteers. Medical School Community Outreach Specialist Aaron Gutierrez spoke to Pantry clients and volunteers to find adults, aged 18 and older, who are more likely to be exposed to Covid-19 and who might be interested in participating in the study, which does provide compensation. 

​Sunday, Dec 6, 10:30 am, https://bit.ly/FirstUUBoardChat. Chat with Board members to find out what the Board is working on or voice your accolades and/or concerns for our congregation.

We won't be putting up an actual tree this year, but we will be creating a two-dimensional paper tree for Bard Hall's window!  If you'd like to help decorate that tree, print out the PDF, decorate the ornament and/or paper chain strips, cut them out and return to church. You can drop them off at the Holiday Drive Through or drop them in the Main Office mail slot no later than noon on Dec 19, 2020.