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

Imagine a Dragon

My imagination has always been fairly strong. I can spend many hours wandering around in my imagination, exploring fantastical forests filled with dragons, and beaches with rainbow seashells, dreaming of events to come, etc. I found that my imagination also helps with my music and art. Sometimes I think in music, I wonder if others do this as well? Music is indeed a language, after all.

When I create art, I like to have the big box of crayons within reach, the small box of 8 limits my imagination. Even though I know how to combine colors to make other colors, I still like to have the big box. And when weaving chainmail, well, let’s just say that there are many sizes, gauges, and shades of every color of ring sorted into their special places and yes, also sprinkled about my work room. Actually, they can be found in most rooms of my house… I need all of the colors and sizes, and many of these colors and sizes in different gauges.

A long time ago, I imagined a dragon. Because of that, this dragon exists today. My imagination runs wild with ideas of things to make! Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of all of the ideas! I wonder, what will your imagination inspire you to create?

Special Events in May

Community Night and D&D!

Community Night and D&D! Community Night will be on Thursday, May 10 th from 6-8. Come and socialize, play a game, create some art, and enjoy the company of other like-minded individuals. The Dungeons and Dragons group will meet in a different room from 5:30-8. If you are interested in playing D&D on Thursday evenings, please let DRE Erin know! While the first group is capped, a second group is being formed. An experienced Dungeon Master will lead the group of maximum 6 players beginning in June.

RE Sunday and Flower Communion MultiGenerational Service!

Our RE Sunday MultiGen is almost here! This Sunday is a day to celebrate our classroom leaders and volunteers as well as the children and youth! Please bring a flower to exchange for the Flower Communion. We will have a potluck lunch after the service to continue our celebration, please bring a side or desert to share!

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. May will focus on the theme of Imagination, as well as celebrating Beltane/May Day, and prepping for our RE Sunday and Flower Communion.

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 Imagination!

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 May, the Youth will explore the theme of Acts of Devotion.

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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 will be paused until fall. Oh, but I can already smell the yummy pumpkin spice happiness wafting from the future…