SSUC offers many diverse opportunities for celebrating the Christmas season. We hope you might find one that can add meaning to your December. All our gatherings at SSUC are open to all and you’re welcome just as you are. Join us in person, or online at ssucedmonton.com/live
Blue Christmas Gathering
Wednesday, December 14th, 7:00 pm
Discover why this gathering has been described by many as their “favourite and most meaningful Christmas event!” Christmas is not always a festive and joyous season. This gathering honours that grief, loss and challenge can make this a very sad and blue month. With meditative music, readings and candle lighting, we seek comfort and hope for the complexity of our memories, emotions and expectations of the Christmas season.
Winter Solstice Gathering and Indoor Labyrinth Walk
Wednesday, December 21st
A collaboration of SSUC and Emberwood.
On a night to celebrate the gifts of night, you’re invited to one or both components of this quiet, candle-lit evening.
7:00pm: meet for a simple gathering that honours the darkness with readings and reflections on the longest night of the year.
7:30pm: take a meditative walk with the help of the ancient spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth. It’s not a maze – you can never get lost. In following the path to the centre and back again, you might find that peace, clarity, and other gifts may be yours to discover.
Note: Outdoor firepit chat after the labyrinth walk is cancelled due to extreme cold.
Christmas Eve Gatherings
Saturday, December 24th
4:00pm A family and child-focused celebration that includes opportunities to immerse ourselves in the Christmas story with costumes, story-telling and Christmas carols. A safe candle-lighting time is a special way of ending this 45-minute fun-filled gathering.
7:00pm An all-ages gathering, with special music, a meaningful reflection, a time especially for children, and everyone’s favourite – growing the light with our Christmas candles.
9:00pm A quieter, more reflective candle-lit gathering to end the day, with readings and a meaningful reflection.
Please note there will be no spiritual gathering on Sunday, December 25th. See you on January 1st!
Can you volunteer to make SSUC’s Christmas celebrations extra special? Respond here!