In December it’s hard to imagine it could get darker, that the days could get any shorter, but we know there’s still nearly a month before the winter solstice. A whole month of increasing darkness before the faintest return of light.

It’s like this every year, of course. But we're more aware of it this year. Maybe because it echoes the world around us. So much is hard, and it feels like it may get harder before it gets better. Costs. Cruelty. Suffering. Struggle.

This is not the typical invitation to the holiday season you might expect this time of year. We usually like to promise hope, healing, and the certainty that a new year will bring a new beginning.

But the truth is: this darkness is exactly what this season was made for.

Not the frantic holiday season the world tries to sell us, but a gentler one, shaped by ancient rhythms: 

Each offers us a posture and a practice for partnering with the darkness, and joining in the earth’s great turning.

Throughout December, we invite you to enter these ancient rhythms and these practices with us.

On Sundays, we’ll explore the practices of Waiting, Longing, Resting, Listening and Releasing.

Beyond Sundays, we hope you’ll join us for healing, caroling, crafts, and the Silent Night of Christmas Eve. We’ll close the season with our annual Fire Ceremony on Sunday, January 4th.

Take a look at our full holiday plan, and mark your calendars.

Our hope is that this season gives you room to breathe - 
  to be held,
  to remember what matters,
  and to feel yourself part of a larger story,
  a partner in the turning.

"2pm Tiny Christmas"

Perfect for the youngest Christmas Eve attendees (and their families), this 30-minute bite-sized Christmas Eve service will introduce special Christmas traditions, with plenty of room for giggles and wiggles. Favorite dolls, stuffed animals, or toy figures (especially if they are tiny) are welcome to join the celebration, as we all learn together that Christmas is a time to share joy with those we love!

4pm All Ages Pageant

A festive and interactive re-telling of the nativity story - accessible and fun for all ages, with a message of hope and community at its center. We'll enjoy treasured holiday songs with our Children's Holiday Choir and end with candlelight!

8pm Candlelight Service

A contemplative, traditional service in our Sanctuary with candlelight and beautiful music, including Foothills Christmas Eve Carolers.

Holiday Healing

We find ourselves in a time of year that often asks us to be joyful. Yet many of us are also moving through our days with our sorrows, grief, and trepidation about what the future might hold.

Join Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink and Julie Koenig for a Holiday Healing Service that makes space for the heaviness in our lives. Through music, poetry, spoken reflection, and ritual, we will create a healing community together.

Caroling & Chili Supper

Join us for a Caroling and Chili Potluck Supper on 12/13! Bring your famous recipe (or just a side dish/dessert) and compete for the prestigious title of "Best Chili" and awesome bragging rights. The fun continues with a holiday sing-along at 6:45pm, with both indoor and outdoor caroling.

Christmas Eve Carolers

Come sing with us on Christmas Eve! Our cozy pop-up Christmas Eve Carolers will gather on Dec. 17 and 24 to rehearse favorite carols, then lead the congregation in song at our 8 p.m. service. No perfection required — just warm hearts and voices, and the joy of singing together.