Your Worship: Holiday Spirituality

For many Americans, the holidays have become a time of secular activity revolving around family, friends, and travel. However, many churches, religious organizations, and spiritual groups use the holidays as an opportunity to affirm their faith and involve themselves in the community As the season is in full swing, this week Your Worship is taking a look at some of the different ways to get in touch with faith, worship, and even some holiday fun as December progresses. From caroling and charity gift-giving to donating time and money for causes as the year comes to an end, there’s something for everyone to do.

Advent Organ Series: Trinity Episcopal Church is holding a series of organ concerts in honor of the season. Each performance will feature a different organist: Charles Talmadge on December 9, Emma Lou Diemer on December 16, and David A. Gell on December 23. All concerts are at 3:30 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church. For information, visit trinitysb.org.

Community Wassail Party: This community sing-along and wassail party is being organized by the Trinity Episcopal Church on December 14 at 7:30 pm. Visit trinitysb.org for more information.

First United Methodist Christmas Tea: Anyone in the community is welcome to attend this afternoon event at the First United Methodist Church. It will be held on December 13 at 2:00 pm in their Fellowship Hall. For directions and information, visit fumcsb.org.

Living Nativity: Featuring live donkeys, sheep, and even camels, this recreation of the Nativity will be fun for kids and adults alike. The event will take place on December 21, 22, and 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Contact the First United Methodist Church for more details or to sign up to participate.

Messiah Sing-Along: This Santa Barbara tradition, held at the First Presbyterian Church on December 11 this year, benefits the Food Bank with a $10.00 per person donation. Handel’s Messiah is one of the greatest and most beautiful pieces of religious music ever composed sing for faith, for charity, or for fun.

Singing to Seniors: The Santa Barbara community church will be caroling at Hillside House and Senior Living Concepts on December 17. They’re meeting at 6:15 pm at Hillside House, at 1235 Veronica Springs, and providing refreshments afterwards for all participants. To attend, RSVP to Mike at mike@sbcommunity.org> or visit sbcommunity.org.

Trinity’s Christmas Tree Lot: If you’d like your Christmas tree purchase to benefit a church, buy it from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. They’re located at 909 N. La Cumbre Rd., and the lot is open now, daily from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visit telcsb.org for details.

World Relief Market of Hope: At Santa Barbara City College on December 9, 17, and 23, the Market of Hope will have booths set up to take donations. Rather than buying a gift for a friend or family member directly, you can give a gift to someone in need, honoring your loved ones by doing so in their name.

If we’ve missed your place of worship’s community event, or if there’s some way you know of for Santa Barbarans to get involved this holiday season, let us know at the email address below.