All is calm. All is bright. But only for moments. The Christmas story is also one of upheaval, fear, insecurity, risk, and courage in the face of danger and desperation...and that courage can provide comfort, too.

Courage is an important element of the story of Hanukkah. How does it translate into our contemporary context?

Like Robert Frost, we often arrive at forks in the road and we just don't know which is the best way. We choose without knowing. That takes courage.

Courage is the root word found in encouragement and discouragement. Our third Principle calls us to "acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations." How are we doing?

Are gratitude and generosity part and parcel of the promises we make?

Agreements, treaties, covenants, contracts...there are many ways to make promises to one another. And when those promises are broken...

We celebrate the promise embodied in our children and in our own ability to make promises in the present that may help shape the future. Choir will be performing The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre

"We are opening our eyes to white supremacy as it exists in the very fabric of our story as a society and a nation...In this time, our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of all people and our collective interdependence call for us to live, invest in, and understand our faith in new ways." - Susan Frederick Gray, President of the UUA.

Michael Eselun will explore the experience of insiders and outsiders — our yearning to belong and the comfort we take in belonging versus our inner experience of being on the outside, often at the same time.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day, celebrating the 29th anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and supporting the rights of LGBTQ people to freely and publicly claim their full selves in the public square.