WAYS TO CONNECT

MULTIGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES

MULTI-GEN SERVICES

Multigenerational services (Multi-gens) are led by the Director of Religious Exploration, and are for all members of the congregation to take part in. Classes are not held when we have Multi-gens, as they are planned with the children in mind, with extra songs and movement activities. The Nursery is always provided though. Children and Youth also take part in these services, and participate by reading poetry or other special readings, performing music or skits, lighting and extinguishing the Chalice, and helping in other ways depending on the service.

We generally offer 4 Sunday morning Multi-gens, and 1 evening Christmas Eve Multi-gen each year:

The Water Communion

In August, we have our Water Communion service. This service brings closure to our summer RE programming, and prepares the children and adults for heading back out into the world: to school, work, and wherever each person’s path takes them during the week.

This is a communion specific to Unitarian Universalists, and was created by 2 UU women in the 1980’s.

The Winter Holiday Service

Our Winter Holiday service is held in mid-December, and is focused on one or more of the winter holidays from around the world. These services generally have a lot of music and have parts for all children that are interested in participating!

The Christmas Eve Service

Our Christmas Eve Service combines the reading of the Christmas Story, a secular holiday Story For All Ages, lots of holiday caroling and musicians, ending with a White Elephant gift exchange and a cookie and cider reception!

RE Sunday and Flower Communion

The RE Sunday service and the Flower Communion have been combined the past 2 years, but might be separated into 2 distinct services in the future. RE Sunday is a service that celebrates the children and youth of the RE classes, recognizes and gives thanks to the teachers and volunteers, and also includes a Bridging Ceremony for graduating seniors.

The Flower Communion is a special service that celebrates the beauty of nature, friendship and family, coming together, and sharing with one another.

This is a communion specific to Unitarian Universalists, and was first created 100 years ago!

And one more special service.

This might be a special service for a holiday or holy day like Halloween or the Spring Equinox; a UU related service about the Chalice, our UU Principles or Sources; or on something that the RE has been working on, like a social justice or environmental project.

WEEKLY RE NEWSLETTER

The Weekly RE Newsletter is sent out on Sunday afternoons, and details the events in the different classes that day, along with important information on upcoming gatherings and activities. It also offers extra activities and ideas to help continue religious exploration throughout the week, and discussion questions and prompts for families to expand on what was learned and explored in the classes that day.

THIS MONTH AT A GLANCE, THE MONTHLY UUFT NEWSLETTER

Spring is Springing!

Spring is springing! We were at negative 15 degrees about a week ago and yesterday it got up to 70! I could not be happier to see the sun melting away the remnants of the snow! While I can see that I have some major yard work to take care of, I am actually looking forward to doing just that. Being outside again, in the sun, with green stuff growing again, gives me such a fabulous feeling of joy.

January and February are quiet months, a time to stay inside a bit more, reflect on our lives, read good books and be cozy. March is the start of something new. The cold days and long dark nights are almost behind us and Spring is coming once again! The Equinox will be on Thursday, March 20th , and then we will really be on our way to warmer weather!

For more information on what March has to offer, look at the Special Events In March section.

Special Events in March!

Pi Day is Friday, March 14. Wherever you are, please eat pie to celebrate! Gluten free, handheld, deep dish, pizza pie, cherry pie, tofurkey pie with stuffing, or pudding pie! Just, don’t eat the mud pies…

Everything You Think Is Wrong Day March 15 is on a Saturday. This is simply a warning. Be on the
lookout for, I’m honestly not sure. Share how your Saturday went the next day at the UUFT!

–will occur on March 20 from 6-8pm at the UUFT! This is a fun event for the
whole family! We will sing, drum, eat cupcakes and eggs, create spring art, and welcome the flowers and
warmer days back into our lives as the nights and days equal out once again. I am so ready to bid these
cold winter days behind, aren’t you?? Come and celebrate with me! This event is co-hosted by CUUPS
(Covenant of UU Pagans) and RE.

National Trans Day of Visibility is March 31 st . The Trans Pride flag colors are light blue, pink, white, pink,
light blue. Please join me in wearing these colors to show our support for our Transgender friends and
family.

The Children and Youth

After the Time For All Ages in the sanctuary, the children parade out to their classes with their classroom leaders, following the weekly RE Lantern Carrier!

Nursery (Birth through Age 3)

Our nursery is staffed by our excellent Nursery Care Provider, Farai, along with one generous volunteer each week. Check out how Farai has rearranged the nursery to create age specific spaces, it looks very inviting! Depending on the particular child, they might be ready to move up into the classrooms before they turn 4!

Lower Elementary (Age 4 through 2nd Grade)

Remington and a weekly volunteer will lead the children in lessons that mirror our main service, through the Soul Matters curriculum along with Spirit Play lessons, and is presented in a way that is similar to Spirit Play. This class will spend a short period of time on the campfire carpet for their check in and lesson, and then will explore the Spirit Play centers focusing on the main idea from the morning’s lesson. March will focus on the theme of Trust, as well as the Equinox and Spring.

Upper Elementary (3rd Grade through 6th Grade)

Bobbi and Richie will lead the class on a lesson mirroring the main service. Using the Soul Matters Curriculum as a guide, they will provide activities to help the class delve deeper into the theme of Trust.

Youth Group (7th Grade through High School)

The Youth Group is led by Kimmie and a weekly volunteer, and will compare and contrast different world religions through the themes of: Harvest, Divination, Ancestors/Death, Myths, Morality, Love and Family, Spring/Nature, Resurrection/Reincarnation, and Acts of Devotion. This thought provoking class will follow the wheel of the year. For March, the Youth will explore the theme of Spring and Nature, focusing on:
3/2 Religious Spring Celebrations
3/9 Spring Deities
3/16 Spring symbolism in myth
3/23 Earth centered religions
3/30 Connecting with the awakening Earth

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RE Volunteers Needed!

We need volunteers. In order for the classes to be covered, I would like for each family to commit to helping out 4 times in a class this year. Just 4 times. Just 1/12 of the year. This does not need to be in your child’s class, but could be in an older or a younger classroom if you would prefer. If everyone does a small part, we can keep this program running strong! Look for the sign up sheet on the RE table. I will contact you a few days before your scheduled volunteer time to remind you.

If you are interested in helping out our Religious Exploration program, please contact DRE Erin erin.forstein@uuft.org for more information! You will be sent a link short online form to fill out for an easy background check, which is paid for out of the RE budget. I am still looking for 1 Classroom Lead for the next school year! The Upper Elementary class (grades 3-6) is in need of a regular and reliable classroom leader. This is a paid position.

The Bake Sale!

The RE Bake Sale is moving from every month to
quarterly and will take place 4 times a year. Our
next bake sale will be on April 6th.