We will review 2025 and say goodbye to all that did not serve us.  We will write letters to our January 2026 selves, enjoy the fellowship that sustains us and welcome new members with a small ceremony.

By Pam Blankenheim

Drawing on seasonal wisdom and perspectives of those who have weathered many winters, we explore an ancient practice: choosing hope in the darkness. This reflection invites us to reconnect with nature’s rhythms and discover hope not as naive optimism, but as a deliberate act of courage and endurance.

Program by Erica Hopkins

Worship Associate Don Morishita

December marks the time of year with festive celebrations. Christmas is probably the most recognized holiday in the US and many other countries, at least in part because of all the commercial and media attention. However, there are many other reasons for celebration in December representing other faiths and beliefs that are worthy of recognition. This includes Hanukkah, Rohatsu or Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and others. Join us for a commemorative service recognizing the many events in December that give us the many reasons for the season.

Service by Don Morishita

The turning of the year brings songs on the wind and stories by the hearth. This Sunday, the Magic Valley UU Fellowship gathers for an Advent-season service of melodies, tales, and shared anticipation as we welcome the warmth and wonder of the holidays. 

Service by Perri Gardner

Please join us as Ellen Bush, who has been a scholar of the Aramaic teachings of Jesus, shares examples of the teachings of Jesus in his native language.  When his words are put in context with his world, we find Jesus’ teachings to be more expanded than traditional translations and relevant to our world today. Ellen will also share her journey following the Way of the Aramaic Jesus.

Worship Associate Melody Lenkner

Join Cassie Campbell for an insightful presentation on the importance of media literacy and the value of being an informed citizen. 

Newcomers of all religious paths or none at all are always welcome.

Perri Gardner is the Worship Associate

When it feels as though we are living in a time of scarcity, how can we act from a place of abundance? Come hear the familiar story, as told by members of the Magic Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, introducing three strangers who coax an entire village into realizing the power of sharing and giving in the interactive service. This story also motivates us to be aware of opportunities to notice grace and practice random acts of kindness.

Join us for our Stone Soup Service, canned food drive, and potluck lunch following the service. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Idaho Food Bank. Monetary donations will also gladly be accepted.

Service by Don Morishita

Join us this Sunday, November 16^th for a presentation and discussion on romantic love, led by Xiaomeng (Mona) Xu, Professor of Psychology at Idaho State University and a member of the Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Mona will share about their experiences researching love for the past couple decades including what science-backed vows might look like.

Worship Associate Aurora Bolt and Don Morishita

Justice begins when people of conscience refuse to stay silent. Join us for a Unitarian Universalist service of reflection and action as we take part in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign. Together we’ll explore how writing letters has freed prisoners, protected activists, and upheld the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Come prepared to write, reflect, and reaffirm our Fifth Principle: the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process to make justice real.

Presented by Perri Gardner and Jonathan Thompson

Today’s social climate is complicated by very divergent views of religion, race, and marriage.   Differing personal beliefs about these can even divide otherwise close-knit families. With cultural differences taking center stage today, we might all benefit from an objective perspective offered by anthropology.   The “study of human societies in all places and at all times” has been around for over 100 years and can offer useful insights.   This presentation will briefly provide an anthropologist’s perspective of our nation’s current divisiveness.

Presented by Jim Woods, former Director of the Herrett Center

Pam Blankenheim is Worship Associate