As we enter full steam into the holiday season, two classic Christmas stories speak to the ever-present tension between the haves and the have-nots. According to these two stories, Christmas has something to say about how this tension can be resolved. The choir sings today and Global Village will be here to assist your holiday shopping.

We are in the holiday consciousness once again. What a vast explosion of interconnected cultural messages—some more profound than others. Among these is the message of gratitude which has stood the test of time and has real benefits when practiced faithfully. Research even supports this claim. Welcome to this special time of year.

Rev. Mark Kiyimba is the founder of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Uganda. In addition he has founded both an orphanage and a school for children who have lost parents through HIV/AIDS. He is a leading advocate for GLBT rights in Uganda; the current UU World has an article on his excellent work. Mark will also give a public lecture tonight at 7:00 p.m. at our church.

Today is New Member Sunday. What is the nature of the community that our new members have joined? Where are we headed? How do our skills and the world’s needs intersect? These are good questions for all of us as we look to the coming years. Should we try to set a direction or just let it flow?

Our guest today is a Disciples of Christ minister from Bloomington-Normal who is in transition to becoming Unitarian Universalist. After serving 39 years as a Disciples of Christ (mainline Protestant) senior minister, Ellen reflects on what it means to find a settled home now with Unitarian Universalists.

Today we celebrate the traditional holiday of Mexico and other countries called Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. We will make an ofrenda, or altar, to honor those who have died, and you are invited to bring a photo or other momento of a loved one to place on the ofrenda. Dia de los Muertos is both mournful and celebratory in its mood. Our choir will sing and we have a mariachi band as our special guests. This is a service for all ages. Today’s music: Enjoy traditional Mexican mariachi music as well as our own choir.

The widespread demonstrations of the last month have focused our attention on issues of economic justice. What is fair and just when it comes to taxes, bonuses, bailouts, public employees, campaign fundraising, entitlements, PACS, and wealth distribution? People are really taking these questions to heart. Is there such a thing as economic justice, and if so, what is it? Special Music: Musical trio: Sydney Campen and Darren and Sarah Seymore

Immigration is a painful issue in our society right now and our Thursday night course has made it clear how complex this issue is. Without grabbing at simple answers too quickly, we will seek an approach that genuinely addresses the diverse needs involved and also the ever-present obligation to treat people of all backgrounds with respect and dignity. The choir will sing today and we will learn the Spanish version of Spirit of Life.

Twelve Step groups talk about making amends as a necessary part of a healing process and the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur sets aside this time of year to make amends and seek reconciliation. Can we affirm our UU aversion to using guilt as a motivator and still earnestly seek to do the right thing about some aspect of our life that is broken? Special Music: Erica Graves The Involvement Fair follows the service.

Does evolution go in any particular direction? It's a question that could make a big difference in how we see the world and our role in it. Drawing on thinkers like Charles Darwin, Michael Dowd, and Robert Wright we'll follow the arrow and try to see where it lands, if possible.