How much of our day do we find ourselves acting out of habit or reacting in the moment? What would a conscious pause just before those actions mean for us? Let’s explore the story of the elephant (Id, maybe, or just reactivity) and the rider (Ego, or consciousness) with Revjen (Rev. Jenny Peek), our visiting minister from Pocatello, Idaho. 

Jen Okelberry is the Worship Associate

Add the Words is a community-centric, volunteer-based organization and the only state-wide group focused on the lived equality of gay, trans, and queer people in the state of Idaho.

Initially, the organization’s only focus was updating the Idaho Human Rights Act to include “sexual orientation and gender identity.” Since then the organization has worked through a trauma-informed lens, building beloved communities and caretaking in newly imagined ways while still using collective power to advocate to Idaho’s leadership – at all levels — the need for basic protections and recognized humanity of LGBTQ+ people in the Gem State.

Brandon Connolly will be speaking more on the organization’s efforts and answering questions on what to expect this coming legislative session and how we can show up and support the LGBTQ+ community.

On this last day of 2023, we will explore different ways of saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new.
We’ll discuss practices of celebrating the start of a new year with an international focus.
Do we need luck, fortune, happiness and health in 2024 YES we do!

Let’s talk about traditional ways to insure good tidings and explore avenues to let go of those practices, habits, life walks which didn’t serve us well in 2023.
We will also discuss foods traditionally eaten to usher in a new year and nosh a bit on these favorite dishes.

Discussion led by Pam Blankenheim

Christmas Eve Morn is here! Rev. Jenny Peek, our visiting minister from Pocatello UU Fellowship, will join us online and share her reflection on the quiet moments before great change. We remember where we were when momentous events happened even decades later. Let’s imagine the morning before the birth of a baby in a manger all those years ago.

Melody Lenkner is Worship Associate

Join Matt Reynolds, CSI Sociologist, and Brian Johns, Head of the Magic Valley Interreligious Dialogue Group, for a conversation on the value of interfaith action. Brian and Matt will explore the value of respecting different faith traditions and discuss the work of the Magic Valley Interreligious Dialogue group to make those ideals reality in our community. 

Perri Gardner is the Worship Associate