TODAY’S NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:

1. A MESSAGE FROM WAKE UP SONOMA PRESIDENT
2. A TIME TO PAUSE, REFLECT, AND TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS WE END 2025
3. FREE TIMELY OFFERINGS FROM OUR PARTNERS AT FCC (FIRST CONG. CHURCH)

HAPPY CHANNUKAH!
Message from the Wake UP Sonoma President

As we go into the 5th day of Channukah, I am so aware of the fear and divisiveness playing out across our nation with anti-semitism, xenophobia, transphobia, racism, violence towards our immigrant friends and neighbors, as well as throughout the world with war-torn tragedies across our globe still unbelievably taking place. My heart hurts for the pain and extreme suffering. There is no excuse for any of this.

For me as I reflect, the Channukah candles are a symbol of hope and peace and togetherness as a family and a community. That even in these times, there is hope because we are a strong community. Each day as I light my candles, I pray for sanity and peace in the world. I pray for a shift in these political times we find ourselves in. I pray for recovery from all we have suffered as a nation at the hands of this administration, and I pray that we see one another’s humanity and joys, and acknowledge each other’s pains so that we can start conversations and healing. We are stronger together.

This Channukah, I recommit to fighting fascism with everything I have, but that also includes self-care so that I can live to fight another day. In this issue of our email blast, we have a few offerings to think about to help our community with resilience and recovery on a personal level. Many thanks to our neighbors at the First Congregational Church who have provided Wake UP Sonoma and Sonoma Valley with so much support in so many ways.

BE WELL
Lisa Storment, President, Wake UP Sonoma

NON-DENOMINATIONAL OFFERINGS FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - REVERAND DR. CURRAN REICHERT.

Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk
Friday December 19th from 5-6:30

First Congregational Church Sonoma
252 West Spain Street  

Winter Solstice provides an invitation to introspection as we greet the darkness with curiosity and wonder.

The FCC sanctuary will be transformed with a twelve-circuit canvas rainbow labyrinth which you are invited to walk at your own pace and come and go as you wish.  Let your hearts be renewed with this special Winter Solstice gift. Join us for a magical evening of candlelight and improvisational piano music.

This is a beautiful way to usher out 2025 and make space for the creativity and possibility of a new year on the horizon.

This is a free event and all are welcome. No RSVP required, just show up!

RESILIANCE WORKSHOP - A TIMELY FREE OFFERING IN THESE STRESSFUL TIMES
FEBRUARY 7 - BURLINGAME HALL
11:00 - 1:00 (Doors open at 10:30)

Welcome in the New Year by getting grounded and learning practical techniques for self-regulation. Now more than ever, change-makers and activists must learn to take care of themselves before trying to help others. This workshop will equip participants with resources to find their way home to themselves, home to that calm and centered place inside each of us that enables us to be relational, creative, and responsive rather than reactive.

In Seven Pauses we will explore what it means to Self-Regulate, to Co-Regulate, how to look within ourselves and between each other for deeper felt experiences of dignity and belonging. This information is gathered from multiple resources and heavily influenced by the work of Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein and Deb Dana’s research and teaching on healing trauma. Employing the research and practices of eco-spiritualist leader Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, the Pauses will also address how to become vessels of hope while caring for ourselves, others, and the earth.

I am hopeful that these Pauses will help promote a deeper sense of wholeness, resiliency, and vibrancy in our human family.

RSVP TO REGISTER

Wake UP Sonoma - Seven Pauses RSVP — Wake UP Sonoma

CONSIDER PUTTING THESE FUTURE DATES EACH MONTH ON YOUR CALENDAR. AN INCLUSIVE WAY TO COME TOGETHER.
Although Dec. 17th has passed, there are future vigils taking place each month. See below.

Our Vision: To foster a vibrant, just, respectful and welcoming Sonoma Valley community.

OUR MISSION IS TO:
EDUCATE - by providing resources to Sonoma Valley residents to be informed and engaged.
ADVOCATE - for local diversity, equity, inclusion, civic and corporate transparency.
ACTIVATE - by promoting democracy and providing opportunities for local engagement.

We Educate. Advocate. Activate.
on issues related, but not limited to:
- LGBTQIA+ safety and visibility
- Protection of our immigrant population
- Defense against Christian Nationalism
- Transparency in large corporate investment and responsible development
- Active local civic engagement