The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will meet at the Tryon Youth Center on Rt. 176 N. at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 16.

Reverend Jean Rowe will speak on the topic, “What Gift Can We Bring? A Solstice Celebration.”

The frenzy that was Black Friday this year – in preparation for the upcoming holy days – was amazingly unholy.

William Wordsworth, the English poet, laments this behavior:

“The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!”

What gift can we bring to this season? What present, what token?

Perhaps it is the gift of presence, not presents. Gifts of the season are meant to convey thanks and delight; they are not meant to impress. Gifts of the season are meant to reflect the person of the giver, his or her presence.

For this service of light and dark, and the simple birth of hope in a troubled world, you are invited to bring a wrapped re-gift.

A small something that has meaning for you that you can gift to another. And we will celebrate what gifts we bring to the wider world through our presence in it.”

This service, the last of this year, will also include a potluck lunch. Members of the board will provide the main dishes. Participants are asked to bring a vegetable dish, salad or dessert. Please provide your own silverware, plate and cup.

For information, call 894-5776 or go to our website at uutryonnc.org.

– article submitted by Dan Dworkin