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

Awaken Your Curious Nature!

May is that magical month in the life of a child that promises the end of the school year and the freedom of Summer Vacation! That endless eternity of sunshine filled days of play! What could be better?

First though, we might have a few housekeeping duties to tend to. Perhaps a test or 2, a final concert, a final paper or project, and one last MultiGen? That list of items, that ranges from super-fun to just-gotta-get-it-done will be checked off one by one until the final bell rings, closing the door on another school year completed and that wide open summer ahead. A summer so full of possibilities that it’s practically bursting at the seams!

I wonder, where will your curiosity lead you this summer?

Will it drive you to examine the ground under your feet, or the vast night sky filled with stars above our heads?

Will your curiosity lead you to consider new ideas and concepts as you create your art from paper, from paint, from metal, from music, from pixels?

Will you try new foods, a new sport, a new instrument? Will it lead you to brave the deep end of the pool, climb that tall tree, take off those training wheels, or challenge yourself to the item on your bucket list that you consider the most important?

Will your curiosity help you to figure out a way to deal with one or more of the many problems challenging us in this day and age?

Will your curiosity lead you to climb out of that well-worn and comfortable path of screentime, and embrace the natural world around us? I love my ipad and my phone, but summer, along with childhood, only lasts so long… don’t forget that the world doesn’t stop when our eyes are glued to those screens.

Awake your curious nature, my friends! Open up those bright and shining eyes and experience this beautiful world with your curious eyes!

Special Events in May!

D&D!

The Dungeons and Dragons group will meet on Thursday evenings from 5:30- 8pm. Parents should be at the UUFT a few minutes before 8 so that the Youth, and the adults, are able to leave on time. If you are interested in playing D&D on Thursday evenings, please let DRE Erin know! A list is being formed for a 2nd group. Also, please mention if you are interested in leading a group, or being the Dungeon Master!

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 also bring a flower to exchange for the Flower Communion. Join us after the service for cookies, coffee and lemonade!

The Annual RE Creek Clean Up!

Our Annual Creek Clean Up will occur on Sunday, May 3rd during regular RE times. Please have your children come ready to get a little dirty this day! Layers are good, as it is still a little chilly still, but not always. Shoes that have a good grip but can also get wet are very important. I want to say that crocs really aren’t the best shoe to wear, but I will leave that up to the individual families, as I know that a few of the RE children and Youth ONLY wear crocs. After our Time For All Ages, we will walk down the block to the Shunga Creek with garbage bags and gloves and see what interesting things we can find in the creek! One year a child even found an ipad! I wonder what piece will win the prize as the most interesting this year!

Sunday Mornings

After the Time For All Ages in the sanctuary, the children are serenaded with song as they parade out to their classes with their classroom leaders.

Elementary (PreK (4) through grade 6)

Our Elementary class is using the One Room School House model of our Soul Matters curriculum, in order to meet the current needs of our congregation’s families. This class will focus on stories and activities based on both the theme of the month and when appropriate, will touch on topics discussed in the main service.

Youth Group (Grades 7-12)

Our Youth Group, led by Dylan, will use the May Soul Matters theme of Awakening Curiosity to continue on in their study of ancient civilizations and religions. Comparing and contrasting them to today.

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!

Volunteers are 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 Elementary Class! This position pays $15 an hour, and is just 2 hours a week on Sunday mornings.

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Upcoming Events!
5/3 RE Bake Sale
5/7 D&D
5/10 Mother’s Day
5/14 D&D
5/17 RE Sunday & Flower Communion
MultiGen
5/21 D&D
5/24 DRE Erin gone
5/28 D&D

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The Playground

The new playground has been finished! Thank you to everyone that helped to make this a reality!!

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The Bake Sale!

The RE Bake Sale will be on Sunday, May 3rd ! Bring some yummy treats to the UUFT by 10am to help the RE!