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

Be Your Own Inner Chalice

As we head into November, it’s important to remember that there are a lot of strong feelings being felt and shared out in our world. As this is an election year, and as our country is divided with very strong opinions on both sides, there are a few things to consider.

UU’s believe in the right to vote. Every adult in the US that has a right to vote, has the right to vote for their chosen candidate. Even if we don’t agree with the choice that half of the country makes, their thoughts and feelings are just as valid as ours.

Fear is felt on both sides, and can lead to arguments. Is it worth it to have the argument? Or will arguing just reinforce the fear on the other side? What can we do to alleviate the fear that some people feel? Could we, perhaps, be the listening ear that is needed so badly right now? Instead of denying someone’s feelings, can we instead acknowledge those feelings? Can we meet fear with love?

I will suggest you be your own inner chalice for November, and longer if you can. Imagine that you are a UU Chalice. Stand or sit tall, raise your arms so that they resemble the cup, and imagine that the light of the chalice flame is emanating from deep inside of your head. Let your own inner light be a beacon to others in this time of change, stress, and uncertainty. Be a source of calm. Be a source of comfort. Know when to walk away if you feel your flame dwindling. And know how to rekindle your flame, through self-care, doing good deeds, helping others, and by basking in the light of all the other flames in your friends and family around you.

Remember that love is in the center of what we believe and do as UU’s. And if the election does not turn out the way that we might want, it is only 4 years until the next one. It might be 4 very long years, but in the greater scheme of things, it is still only 4 years. All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. 

Special Events in November!

The RE Bake Sale will be on the first Sunday of the month, on November 3^rd. Please bring baked items to the Gathering Space to benefit the RE children and youth.

The UUFT Thanksgiving Service and Meal will be on Sunday, November 24^th. More information will be available on this soon.

Community Night will be postponed until January. I am hopeful that we will find an evening that works better for more people interested in attending it.

The Children and Youth

Look for the new RE Brochure at the RE table for an overview of the 2024/2025 RE year!

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. The nursery has seen a few new little ones this past month! It is always fun to watch the babies interact!

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.

Upper Elementary (3rd Grade through 6th Grade)

Weekly volunteers will lead the children in the UUA curriculum, Toolbox of Faith! This fun class will use a tool each week to help teach about what it means to be a UU!

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.

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Volunteers and 1 Class Lead 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 upcoming 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 Holiday Multigen!

The RE Holiday Multigenerational Service is still a ways away, but wow does time go fast! Especially during this time of year!

Last year we focused on the Winter Solstice. This year we will focus on the story of a baby born on a special night, in a manger, because there was no room for his family at the Inn.

We will also focus on the people that chose to protect, instead of harm, this sweet newborn baby.

This is a service about offering and giving shelter to those in need. This is a service about protecting innocence. This is a service about Christmas.

Here is the first call out for 1 or more babies, 3 kings, an angel, Joseph, Mary, and a variety of animals. Here is also the first call out for musicians, readers, chalice lighters, and chalice extinguishers.

The Bake Sale!

The RE Bake Sale will take place on Sunday, November 3^rd. If you would like to help, please bring your baked goods to the Gathering Space at the UUFT. I will have a sign-up sheet for the older children (with their families) and the youth (with or without their families) so that they can choose the Sunday that works the best for them! Funds from the bake sale will go towards RE expenses, including some off site experiences!