March ’23 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

“Lean on Me,” offered by Senior Youth at their Feb 5th Worship

Our high school youth group created a fun, thoughtful, inspiring worship service on February 5th. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do watch it on the YouTube channel. This month’s church theme is Vulnerability, and though the theme of February and their worship was “Love,” those kids gave us a lot to think about for this month’s theme, in the honest and very real ways they showed up.

And now we turn to March. The month that holds pretty promises of spring, but is really mostly windy, cold, icy, muddy, and a whole lot of gray and brown. The tension of waiting impatiently for the natural world to finally sprout and soften can cause a similar inner climate where all the things we’ve been holding are trying to bubble under a frozen surface: Plans, dreams, frustrations, all of it. Thank goodness for community, where we can dig right in to our vulnerability, rather than bury it deeper in a permanently frozen tundra! Our RE groups have built some great relationships over the last many months, which allow many of the kids to be vulnerable with each other in their weekly check-ins, as well as in some awkward conversations about some of the topics they explore. They’ve created safe, soft, fertile ground together, where they can unfold and grow into their own perfectly individual selves. I can’t wait for us all to see another example of this on display when our Coming of Age youth lead their worship service in June.

In other news, we are so excited to announce that we are finally able to open the Nursery! We have hired staff and are sourcing some volunteers to assist, and we will be ready to welcome babies and toddlers into that space beginning March 12th. Families with children 3 and under, please make sure your tiny ones are registered so we have the info we need to care for them well. Please reach out if you have any questions at all about how the Nursery will operate.

Also, we will have child dedication ceremonies on April 23rd and June 4th. If you have a child or children that have not been dedicated yet and that you would like us to include in either of these events (or if you have questions about what that even means!) please reach out.

Here are a few upcoming RE things to take note of:

  • Sparks and Flames Snackfest and Games Friday March 3rd (RSVP!)
  • Prepared Meals Sale (plus fair trade coffee and chocolate!) Sunday March 19th
  • 7th Grade OWL extended session Sunday March 26th (pizza provided!)

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Friday, March 3rd:
    • Sparks & Flames social group for grades 5 thru 8: Snackfest and Games! RSVP by 4pm Thurs to jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, March 5th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest speaker Tess Baumberger
    • 8th grade Coming of Age does not meet today
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 12th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 19th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten and adults returning from AL Service Learning trip.
    • Ready-To-Go Dinner Sale! Senior Youth will be selling dinners to take home, plus fair trade coffee and chocolate after worship
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St (no Mentors)
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 26th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets for extended session 1:30-5:30pm at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-6:00pm at 73 Court St for Alabama Learning Journey Session 3
  • Sunday, April 2nd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St (no Mentors)
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St

March’s Church Theme is “Vulnerability”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes:

Now, I Love You. Now, I Witness.

By Theresa I. Soto

I know sometimes you get cranky,
And sometimes your tea gets cold
Before you can drink it. Sometimes
The news is too much. The resistance
Seems too little. That’s real. But we are
Here. Imperfect and together and reaching.
You can hold my hand if you want. I washed
It with soap. It’s OK. In this kind of time,
Now is better than later. Now, I love you.
Now, I am sorry it hurts. Now, I witness
Your struggle, and mine. Sometimes
One answer is to be a yes in the face of
Every no. I am a yes for you. Now and again
Later, if you need me.

February ’23 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Young Church kids offering a very fun Time For All Ages

Each month our church follows the Soul Matters theme, to weave a common thread through worship, RE, small groups, and other church elements. The theme for February is Love. It may seem cliché, if we assume this choice is because of Valentine’s Day. (Not that Valentine’s Day is bad in my opinion; I get excited about extra opportunities to remind people I love them.) But February is also Black History month. Tu BiShvat, a Jewish environmental celebration, will begin on Feb 5th. Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent on Feb 22nd. February is part of the Season of Nonviolence. Side With Love Campaign’s “Thirty Days of Love” continues until Feb 14th. Feb 12th is Freedom to Marry Day. There are many more celebrations that happen this month, including Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Random Acts of Kindness Day, and even Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. That last one may be a stretch, but each of these events can connect to Love.

This month in Religious Education, we’ll certainly be exploring this big, beautiful topic. And here are just a few bonus things we can look forward to:

  • Worship offered by our high school youth group (Feb 5th)
  • 5th grade OWL kids finish their session
  • Service Learning Group will begin a unit exploring Racial Justice
  • Sparks and Flames will go ice skating Feb 10th (RSVP!)

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, February 5th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Senior Youth!
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 10:00-11:45a in Piscataqua Room. Parents please join at 11:15 for a program closing!
    • 8th grade Coming of Age and 5th/6th/7th Service Learning will not meet–come to Senior Youth worship instead!
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 4th grade will meet in their rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • OWL 7 Parent Discussion meets in sanctuary concurrent with class
  • Friday, February 10th:
    • Sparks and Flames skating, grades 5-8. Must RSVP by 4pm Wednesday to join this!
  • Sunday, February 12th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth and Adults going to AL meet for Learning Session 2, 4:00-6:00pm at 73 Court St
  • Friday, February 17th
    • Game Night, hosted by the Fellowship Associates, 6:30-8:30pm in the Social Hall
  • Sunday, February 19th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL does NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, February 26th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • All-ages RE class for Pre-K through 7th grade will meet in Milk Classroom downstairs, following the Time For All Ages
    • OWL, Coming of Age, and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
  • Sunday, March 5th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Neutral pulpit for Beverly UU church. 
    • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • OWL and Coming of Age do NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St

February’s Church Theme is “Love”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Side With Love’s “30 Days of Love”: An annual program that runs from MLK, Jr day through Valentines Day, 30 Days of Love is a month of spiritual nourishment, political grounding, and shared practices of faith and justice. There are wonderful resources for spiritual practices, stories, body practices and more on their website. Here are a few family-friendly ones, but check out the rest at
  • Participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb 14th-20th! Here are 50 ideas: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-stories/113-50-ideas-for-random-acts
  • Practice Self Love, together: Make affirmations together and tape them to the bathroom mirror; go around the table at dinner time and name things each of you loves about yourself; make a list of ways to practice self love and then try to do at least one every day. Modeling self love, doing these things together with kids, can help develop healthy practices as they grow up.
  • Read “The Case For Loving: The Fight For Interracial Marriage,” by Selina Aliko together (or watch a video of the book being read HERE. Discuss how interracial marriage was illegal in many states until 1967, which is fairly recently, and how that must have felt for interracial couples.

Chalice Lightings for mealtimes:

The Names of Love, By Rev. Scott Tayler

We light this chalice in the names of love. 

The love of family that brings us into being, allows us to bloom, and then sends us on our way with courage, knowing we can return no matter what. 

The love of partnered hearts that teach us to trust and help us know that who we are does not end at the barrier of our own skin. 

The love of friends who help us feel seen and sing our song back to us when we cannot hear it with our ears alone. 

The love of community that baths us in belonging and calls us to see the needs of others as our own. 

And the greatest love: the love that will not let us go, even in our fear, even in our failure, even when we are lonely or lost. 

Love invites us home. If we listen, it is doing so, even today. 

Eclipse, by Clairel Estevez

When in the turmoil of your darkest hours sorrow congregates around your soul.

To hold on to the lifeline of a friendship – a trail of light that will guide you home.

Someone who accepts your weakness, mends your scars and rid you of hurt.

When you must battle your inner demons and there’s someone dear, in your thoughts.

That’s the same as to carry the moon in your hands – within your darkness;

Soon the eclipse, will be gone.

January ’23 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Finding Our Center

Love; Generosity; Justice; Evolution; Pluralism; Equity; Interdependence. These are the values proposed in the Article II Commission’s draft of what is likely to become the new Values and Covenant for all UU congregations in our country. If adopted, this document will replace the current Principles and Sources that have been our faith’s guiding star since 1987.

Many of our RE classes this month will be talking explicitly about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, and others will be acting on the values outlined in both the new draft and the original Principles. Watch for ways to extend these topics at home, see resources below, and reach out for more ways to bring UU values into everyday life.

Our high school youth are studying subjects like Algebra and Chemistry. Each week it is common for them to spend about 5 hours in class on each subject, plus about 3 more on homework for one subject. That’s about 8 hours devoted to Algebra, which is a good subject to study.

In the long arc of a life, how significant will Algebra have been for most people? If those UU values listed above feel like they could significantly impact a life for many decades, then we should probably give them more attention than an hour a week at church. The great news is, we are. All of us–you, me, and the rest of our church community. We act on the values, we learn about them, we share them with our children. But how often to we think about it and do it with intention? Are those values getting as much air time as Algebra and Chemistry? Maybe, but it’s a good time to check.

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Friday, January 6th:
    • Sparks & Flames bowling! Must RSVP by noon Fri
  • Sunday, January 8th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets at a slightly different time, 3:30-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-6:00pm for Learning Journey Session 1 for Alabama trip
  • Sunday, January 15th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL does NOT meet today
    • 7th Grade OWL does NOT meet today
    • 8th grade Coming of Age does NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
    • Regular RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade will meet downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • Sunday, January 22nd
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, January 29th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St (no mentors today)
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Saturday, February 4th
    • Senior Youth overnight/worship prep
  • Sunday, February 5th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Special worship offered by Senior Youth Group!
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets at different time for last class: 10:00-11:45 in Piscataqua Room, parents join at 11:15
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St (no mentors today)
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • 2nd OWL 7 Parent Discussion Group meets 4:00-5:30 in sanctuary

January’s Church Theme is “Finding Our Center”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Values Cards Activity: Values make up your internal compass that gives your life direction. There are many ways to use the values cards below to think about your own values.
    • Print and cut out this set of free cards.
    • One way we use them with our 8th grade Coming of Age class is to have each person look for cards they connect to on a personal level and independently choose the five cards that best represent them as an individual, representing their core values. We then have discussions and ask them to identify which 1 of their 5 core values requires the most work or practice and to identify which is their strongest value, the one they best live up to.
    • You can adapt the activity in many ways, especially if using the cards with young children:
      • Try choosing one card per day at dinner time and discuss together what that value means to each of you, how it shows up in your life, and how important it is (or isn’t) to you.
      • Randomly choose 3 cards and have each person put them in order of personal importance, discussing why you each chose the order how you did.
      • Work together to identify your core family values and post them in a place where you all can see them regularly
  • Sankofa Read Aloud: In a step to center antiracism/anti oppression, check out some of the videos of African American children’s books read on this YouTube channel. Or, read books together that decenter whiteness. Your librarian should have good recommendations, or try a book list like this one.

Chalice Lightings for mealtimes:

Dreams

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

There is Light

By Eric Williams

Within each part of Creation
There is light
Slowed down and held close
By every cell and molecule
By each atom and element.

Within you
There is light
The same light as the Source
The same radiance that is in all creatures.

May this small flame
Be a constant reminder to you
Of your true nature
And your kinship with all beings.

December ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment
Gratitude Chain

Greetings, Dear Ones,

Who else loved making paper chains as a kid at Christmas time? This past Sunday was an all-ages Religious Education time because of the holiday weekend. We talked about how there are SO many holidays at this time of year and how sometimes they can get kind of blurred together when we see Christmas stuff in stores before Halloween, or when we are asked to think about Thanksgiving, Advent, Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa and more in a very short amount of time.

Two things that can help us stay grounded and appreciate the meanings of these many holidays are Gratitude practices and Connection. So we took some time to name things we are grateful for in our lives, wrote them on the back side of colorful strips (which were actually those self-adhesive wrist bands that you might get to show you paid to get into an event 😉) and made them into a chain as a visual reminder and representation of how we can connect over something meaningful like all that we are grateful for.

Please come feel connection at the South Church Holiday Party on Friday, December 2nd. We will have a potluck dinner (bring any dish you’d like to share, whether a homemade family tradition, a purchase from the store on the way, or whatever feels right. There will be good company and cheer. We will have activities for busy hands. And we will have our gratitude chain out, with supplies for you to add your own gratitude links. Come at 5pm if you’d like to help with decorations, or come 6pm-8pm for the potluck and party.

Remember also to come to church on December 18th for our famously fantastic, wildly fun holiday pageant! Anyone who wants to can be in the pageant, and there are no rehearsals. Just show up for this beloved tradition.

Our high school youth will be holding a UU book fair and fair trade coffee/chocolate sale this month. This is a great source of gifts for people of any age, where you’ll find items that align with our UU principles. Sales will happen during the holiday party on Fri 12/2, and after worship on 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18.

Finally, know that the South Church community has the capacity to hold each of us in hardship, grief, joy, and all the other big moments that life brings. Please, please reach out to any of our staff any time when you are struggling or celebrating. Even if there is nothing you would like to ask for help with, know that it is often a good thing to even just let someone know what you are holding. It’s a significant part of what it means to be a member of a church community. That goes for adults, children, youth, everyone.

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Friday, December 2nd:
    • Hanging of the Greens 5pm at church
    • Holiday Party and Potluck 6-8pm in the Social Hall
  • Sunday, December 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Special Wholly Family service, offered by Reverend Ellen and guests
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets with mentors at a different time and place for Service Project: 1:00-3:00 in the church kitchen!
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 in the church kitchen this week!
  • Sunday, December 11th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, no mentors today
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • 7th grade OWL Parent Discussion group- optional- concurrent with class
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, December 18th
    • Pageant Day at 10am! In person and live on YouTube. Multigenerational worship, no morning RE classes
    • 8th grade CoA, Senior Youth Group and 5th grade OWL do not meet today–come to pageant!
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
  • Saturday, December 24th
    • Christmas Eve worship at 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm in person. 7pm worship will be live on YouTube.
  • Sunday, December 25th
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person only
  • Saturday, December 31st
    • First Night Chili Sale! Fundraiser for Senior Youth 5:30-7:30pm. Come get chili before watching the fireworks!
  • Sunday, January 1st
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Hilary Clark and Myra Aaronson
    • Multigenerational worship, RE classes do not meet today

December’s Church Theme is “Wonder”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Unitarian Universalist Advent Calendar–free download! Created by Ralph Yeager Roberts, this is a way to count down the days till Christmas while learning UU history with words and colorful graphics. If you do not have access to print, just email JenDD and we will print one for you! https://www.uua.org/files/pdf/u/uu_advent_calendar_page-a-day_revised.pdf
  • Recognizing and appreciating ritual (adapted from “Signs of Our Faith” UU curriculum by Jessica York.) Help children and youth learn to recognize signs, symbols, and rituals inside and outside our congregation that show we live our Unitarian Universalist faith. Help them understand the value of rituals and how they shape our various identities. Talk about… 
    • Your favorite family rituals. What do we like about them? Where did they come from?
    • What rituals does your family have? Are any religious? Are any specifically Unitarian Universalist? Do you collect water from your summertime travels to share at our Water Communion? That is a UU ritual. Did any member of your family grow up in a non-UU religious tradition? Ask them about religious rituals they recall. Are any of them similar to UU rituals? Do they symbolize similar ideas?
    • What rituals are connected to our church that you could do at home? Do you light a chalice? Do you share Joys & Concerns or Rose/Bud/Thorn together at dinner time? Could you have a quiet moment of prayer or meditation?
    • As a family, talk about the activities you most like to do together. Could one of these activities become a ritual? For example, if you all enjoy bowling, could you all go bowling on your birthday every year? Another idea, make Friday or Saturday night Family Fun Night and each member takes a turn each week to choose a game or activity for all to share.

Chalice Lightings for mealtimes:

Wonder * 

Rev. Dr. David Breeden 

We light this flame, 

reminding ourselves 

to treasure the magic 

in the mundane, 

the wonders of 

carbon dioxide, 

oxygen, nitrogen, 

rapid oxidation 

into light, heat, and 

the dance of a flame. 

We light this chalice, 

kindling, remembering 

our innate sense 

of wonder at 

the very real magic 

of our world. 

Nourished

Rev. Jay Wolin 

Full piece at https://www.uua.org/worship/words/poetry/nourished 

When I look up into the night sky, 

I am in awe of all that is… 

When I walk in the ocean… 

I feel a certain peace with the world… 

All of these wonders… 

let us protect them… 

Oct-Nov ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Carved PUMPKINS at the Halloween Social

Wow has it been a wonderfully busy time at South Church!

This past Sunday, the South Church Service Learning Group (grades 5-7) went on a mini field trip to visit the Seacoast Fridge, located at Kittery Community Center. They are learning about food insecurity and met with Whitney from Seacoast Fridge to hear about how the program got started, what they do, and how people can help. They will be collecting food and supplies for that organization over the next couple of weeks.

Our 7th grade OWL program has been running for a few weeks now, and our 5th graders started this past Sunday, too!

We have welcomed many new folks over the past two months, including quite a few families. If you are new and have any questions or curiosities, please don’t hesitate to reach out! The Program Info area of this website is updated with information on the age-specific classes that will be running for this program year, and we have so much fun, connection, and learning planned for the coming months!

Please Register for RE (and thank you to the many who have done so already!): We need all children and youth to be registered each year so we have all the info we need to serve you safely and well. Now is the time! Click here to register!

Please reach out with any questions or concerns! Everyone deserves to engage at church in ways that feel right for them. We are always happy to help find the ways work best for each person.

See you soon! 🤟♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, October 30th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th grade OWL and Senior Youth do not meet today
  • Monday, October 31st:
    • Halloween Social and Bake Sale! Our high school youth will be selling baked treats and hot drinks on the portico, as a fundraiser for their next Service Learning trip. Come hang out, have refreshments, and watch the parade with lots of South Church friends, beginning at 6:00pm.
  • Friday, November 4th:
    • Sparks and Flames! Social group for grades 5-8 will play hide and seek in the dark at Urban Forestry Center. RSVP by 4pm Thurs 11/3: jendeldeo@resouthchurchuu.org
    • Coming of Age Fall Retreat Fri 6pm-Sat 10pm (Parents come back at 9:30p Sat!)
  • Sunday, November 6th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten Hunter
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Saturday, November 12th:
    • Families Tuugether! RSVP by noon Fri 11/11. More info HERE.
  • Sunday, November 13th:
      • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
      • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
      • 8th grade Coming of Age does NOT meet today.
      • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
      • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
      • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, November 20th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • Senior Youth Wreath Sale fundraiser after worship!
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth does not meet this afternoon
  • Sunday, November 27th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • All-ages RE time downstairs following TFAA 
    • Senior Youth, Coming of Age, and all OWL classes will NOT meet today.
  • Sunday, December 4th:
      • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
      • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
      • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
      • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
      • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
      • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

October’s Theme is “Courage“ and November’s is “Change”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Children’s book recommendations. Available to borrow at libraries, for purchase at link, or to borrow from church if it has **asterisks. (Contact JenDD to borrow) Descriptions are from the inSpirit UUA bookstore website:
    • “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water”** by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nikkolas SmithLyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States
    • “Emile and the Field” ** by Kevin Young, illustrated by Chioma Ebinama. Picture book from an award-winning poet, a young boy cherishes a neighborhood field throughout the changing seasons. With stunning illustrations and a charming text, this beautiful story celebrates a child’s relationship with nature. 
    • “Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez
    • “We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade. You can also check out the Water Protectors activity kit and take the Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge.
  • “Courage” Dinner Discussion Prompt: What do you think stops people from taking a stand against something they know is wrong?
  • Engage with the Seacoast Fridge! Our 5th-7th Grade Service Learning group is exploring food justice and visited the Seacoast Fridge at Kittery Community Center, a volunteer run community food station where you take what you need and leave what you can. It is open to all, and their priorities include reducing food waste from local businesses and changing the stigma around needing help. Our 5th-7th graders are now collecting food and supplies for the fridge. You and your family can support the fridge any time, in several ways. Check out the Seacoast Fridge Team Hub Facebook page for information!

Chalice Lightings for mealtimes:

Courage

You can’t buy courage at a store

It comes to you when you are weak

You will always have it, you just don’t always find it

Your heart knows where it is

It lives inside your soul

Courage never is lost

You know it like you know your own parents

Courage is everywhere

in the woods,

in the sea

everythere

By Ellen Reiling, 5th Grade Student

In Honor of First Steps

We light this chalice in honor of first steps. 

For beginning even when the path ahead is unclear. 

For the courage it takes to trust 

that the way will reveal itself 

that light will come to clarify our vision 

that friends will be by our side. 

May the words, song, stillness and common breath of this hour, 

remind us that every step of the way 

is never one we take alone. 

By Rev. Scott Tayler 

September ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Flags designed by Young Church kids 

We hope the prospect of the return to school feels joyful or is at least not causing stress in your homes. We’re holding you all in the joy, the angst, the anticipation, and all the many emotions that pop up in these moments of transition.

And we hope to be seeing you at church as we flow into the new season. 

Our annual Water Ingathering tradition marks the start of the church year, and that will happen on Sunday, September 11th. If you can, bring a little bit of water to add to our ceremonial collection, which includes water from many years of this tradition. We use this sacred water throughout each year in child dedications, bridging, and other special rituals in our community. People bring water from special places they’ve travelled to, or places that have special meaning to them, or from kitchen sinks of their own homes. Wherever your water is from, bring it to join with all the waters that buoy us.

Water Ingathering will be a multigenerational worship, so kids will stay in the sanctuary instead of going to religious education class. Kids can either sit with their families or find JenDD to sit in an area with other kids! Service will be interactive and we have fresh activity packs available.

Religious Education Classes: We have been working hard to plan, redefine, and rebuild, in a big post-pandemic way! We’re ready for rich, robust Religious Education programs to be filled with young people, connecting with each other in deep and meaningful ways. We will continue the summer format of having all ages together for RE during worship through the next few weeks, then we will move back to our age-based curricular programs. 

The Program Info area of this website is updated with information on the age-specific classes that will run this program year!

Here are some key things to know in this particular moment:

  • Register for RE: It’s time again! We need all children and youth to be registered each year so we have all the info we need to serve you safely and well. Now is the time! Click here to register!
  • OWL Sexuality Education classes: We will have OWL for 5th grade and 7th grade this year. Detailed info is on the OWL page. Registration is required, and we will open space to the larger community, so please sign up asap by sending an email: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org. 
  • 8th Grade Coming of Age (CoA): Orientation and Opening Ceremony for CoA youth and their families will be on Thurs Oct 6th, 6:30-8pm. 

Please reach out with any questions or concerns! Everyone deserves to engage at church in ways that feel right for them. We are always happy to help find the ways work best for each person.

See you soon! 🤟♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, August 28th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • All-ages RE following the Time For All Ages
  • Sunday, September 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Susan Treleaven
    • All-ages RE following the TFAA
  • Sunday, September 11th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen. This will be a multigenerational worship; kids remain in sanctuary.
  • Saturday, September 18th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen.
    • All-ages RE following the TFAA
    • Senior Youth Group will share about their Service Learning trip to West Virginia after worship!
  • Sunday, September 25th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Religious Education classes downstairs following TFAA 
    • Senior Youth group meets at Court St 4:00-4:30
  • Wednesday, September 28th:
    • Parent Orientation for 7th Grade Sexuality Education (OWL), 6:30-8pm
  • Saturday, October 1st:
    • Senior Youth orientation and overnight! Parents join for start of the evening, then youth stay over and go to worship together.
  • Sunday, October 2nd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Religious Education classes downstairs following TFAA 

September’s Theme is “Belonging“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Connecting to Water Ingathering/Water Communion
    • Bring a small amount of water from your summer travels, a special place you love, or a faucet in your own home, to our Water Ingathering worship on 9/11. Reflect together on where your water comes from, and put your intentions for the church year into your water at home before bringing it!
    • This is a UU tradition that many UU congregations, including ours, “hold at the end of the summer, in which participants of all ages bring ‘living waters’ from wherever their travels led them and mingle them for later use by the congregation in ceremonies, such as a child dedication.” (From UUA.org) As we think about the ways that water connects all humans and other living organisms, watch this video poem about a girl who walks 4 miles to collect water. 
  • Become Water Protectors: Check out the Water Protectors activity kit and take the Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge.
  • “Belonging” Dinner Discussion Prompt:
    • Can you think of times when you sacrificed or hid a part of who you are to conform? (pretended you didn’t like something, made fun of someone to fit in, bought something all your friends have)
    • Belonging means being accepted for ALL of who you are. It means the courage to stand alone and say, “This is who I am.” 
    • Can you think of a time when you felt accepted for ALL of who you are? At a Grandparents house, at church, by friends?

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes this month:

Belonging for Our Whole Selves, by Rev. Scott Tayler 

May the flame we now kindle light the path back to our center, 

back to that place of belonging 

to what is true, what is deepest within, what knows us even before we know ourselves. 

And may our chalice remind us that we are held 

and welcomed whole, without the need to hide 

a single piece or part 

of who we are. 

Midsummer ’22 Updates From Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment
SC kids presenting Rev Susan with a superhero cape they decorated

Hello, South Church Families!

There is a full update below about what’s developing in Religious Education for fall, but in case you don’t have time to read this whole thing, please click here to register your kids for the coming church year! (Yep, it’s that time again! 🙂)

We’ve been hearing some great stories about some of you on summer adventures, which is amazing! And we’ve been seeing many of you at church, whether regularly or occasionally. In RE, the summer plan has been light, fun energy, which will continue through next month.

Looking ahead, we are working hard to plan, redefine, and rebuild, in a big post-pandemic way. We recognize that there are still some hazards and precautions to take, but there’s also plenty of opportunity for new ways of embracing the South Church Religious Education mission, to “provide programming for children, youth and families that promote spiritual growth, intergenerational connections, faith development, a Unitarian Universalist identity and social action within a safe and welcoming environment.”

Your input would be greatly appreciated as we build programming for the coming church year. Come to worship in the next several weeks to touch base and let us know your needs and wants. Or, set up a time to come to the office to chat, call, email, or communicate any way you can what your hopes are as we rebloom in a robust way.

We are hoping to have the Nursery staffed and ready for our youngest community members for the fall (if you know anyone who would be a great fit for this paid position, send them our way!) And if you’d like to check out the framework of what is in store for children and youth by age, visit these pages:

Also, as you know, our programs run with the help of many volunteers. There are lots of kinds of roles, with various time commitments. None of these should be overwhelming, and we would LOVE to help you find the right fit, where you will actually gain incredible spiritual growth and connection through participating. 

Finally, one VERY helpful thing you can do is simply register your kids! Registration is open now for the ‘22/’23 church year. We need updated registrations every year, for every child and youth. So even if you registered any time over the past year, it’s time to do it again. This helps us plan programs, and it helps us know important info about our dear young people, so we are able to serve you all better.

Also, don’t forget to collect small amounts of water from your summer explorations, to bring to our annual Water Ingathering ceremony on September 11th!

What you need to know this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, July 31st:
    • Worship at 10:00a. This is Reverend Susan’s final day at South Church. Worship will be multigenerational (no RE today,) and we will have a special social hour outside after. In person and live on YouTube. 
  • Sunday, August 7th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten Hunter. This will be Rev Ellen’s first Sunday as our settled minister!
    • All-ages RE meets outside or downstairs (weather dependent) following TFAA
  • Sunday, August 14th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen.
    • All-ages RE meets outside or downstairs (weather dependent) following TFAA
  • Sunday, August 21st:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen.
    • All-ages RE meets outside or downstairs (weather dependent) following TFAA
  • Sunday, August 28th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen.
    • All-ages RE meets outside or downstairs (weather dependent) following TFAA
  • Sunday, September 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Susan Treleaven.
    • All-ages RE meets outside or downstairs (weather dependent) following TFAA

June ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ 1 Comment
Senior Youth camping trip 

Happy June, Friends…

The school year is coming to an end, and let’s just say that many of us are markedly ready. Religious Education programs are wrapping up too, and we will soon shift into a light and fun summer session. As significant endeavors come to an end, it’s important to acknowledge, celebrate, and even sometimes mourn what we are moving on from. Please be sure to come to the traditional Bridging worship service on Sunday, June 5th, 10am. We will mark the transitions that are happening between moving up to new grade levels, moving on to new schools, completing projects, celebrating a year of learning, and more. This is a community event for everyone, for all the ways we are transitioning. With so much challenge, tragedy, and difficult news going on, community rituals can be really helpful to ground us in moving forward.

And… PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! Once we acknowledge all that we are holding, play is a natural therapy and magical bonding tool. We’ve got plenty of that coming up this summer! If any adults or teens out there have a fun skill, activity, craft/art, or game that you would like to share with us, then please please let us know. We love having a wide range of folks to learn from, and we’d love to have you share in that. Email Jen DD: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org.

Lastly, if you didn’t see this resource in earlier communications, the San Diego County Office of Education’s website has a collection of resources for talking with children and youth about school shootings. We also have printed materials at church, and Rev Susan, Kirsten, and JenDD each invite you to reach out for resources, listening, and anything else you might need in navigating traumatic events.

🤟♥️



RSVP HERE!

What you need to know this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2021-2022 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, June 5th:
    • Bridging Worship at 10:00a! This is an All-Ages worship to celebrate our transitions. In person and live on YouTube.
    • Coming of Age meets 11:00-12:30 for rehearsal, Piscataqua Room
  • Sunday, June 12th:
    • Coming of Age Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Our 8th grade CoA class will offer their faith statements!
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
  • Sunday, June 19th:
  • Saturday, June 25th:
    • Portsmouth Pride! Hosted by Seacoast Outright. View Pride 2022 schedule HERE.
  • Sunday, June 26th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA 
    • Senior Youth trip to Big Creek People In Action, WV: June 26-July 2!
  • Sunday, July 3rd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA

June’s Theme is “Celebrating Blessings“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • 100 Blessings Challenge! Can be done individually or as a family, cut 100 strips of colored paper that are about 1″x6″. On each strip, write a blessing that you or your family has in your life. Glue, tape or staple the ends of the strips into connected circles to make a chain. Hang the chain to remind you of your blessings when things are hard.
  • Count Your Blessings Game (For adults and kids who can write)
  • General Assembly is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association and is a gathering of people of our UU faith. There are worship times, workshops, lectures, and the business of the UUA. This year it will be held in Portland OR 6/22-6/26/2022. There will also be online streaming of many GA events. More info HERE.

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes this month:

By BETSY DARR

May the light of this chalice give light and warmth to our family, On good days and bad, happy and sad,
And may we feel the warmth spread from our family circle
to wider and wider circles,

Until we feel our family part of the one circle of life. 

May ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ 1 Comment

 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT

May Day celebration, 5/1/22 (photo by Wes T.)

Hi there, Beloved Friends,

Things are growing and blooming, both literally and metaphorically!

I hope you’ve heard that, after a long and arduous process, the Ministerial Search Committee has found and made a match with a candidate to be our next settled minister: Reverend Ellen Quaadgras. We will enter a flurry of next steps to finalize this process, and I want to make sure you know how that works, how you can be involved, and how we can support you in participating.

Beginning Sunday, May 8th, Rev Ellen will spend a week getting to know us, and helping us get to know her. She will give the sermons on May 8th and May 15th, and there will be lots of opportunities in between those two services, to meet and connect with her. Click HERE for the Candidate Week calendar of events. Also, while some events are kid-friendly, we want to make sure that adults who have children can also choose to attend any events without their kids, if they would like to that week. We can offer either childcare or funds for you to hire your own childcare. Please email me as soon as you can to make those arrangements: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org.

Candidate Week will culminate with a special congregational meeting, where among other things, we will vote on whether to call Reverend Ellen as our settled minister. That will be after worship at 11:15am on May 15th, and every member of South Church can vote. The meeting will be in person and on Zoom.

This is a big transition, and big transitions often come with many kinds of emotions. There is a lot of excitement, nervousness, joy, etc for welcoming Reverend Ellen; and sorrow, nervousness, etc for saying farewell to our dear Reverend Susan. Please join in the ways that as a community we will be intentional in processing and moving forward with the transitions in lovely ways.

Be in touch about all the things. Much Love to each of you,

JenDD🤟🏼♥️

Mother’s Day Bazaar and Plant Sale! Our high school youth will be holding a fantastic fundraiser after worship on Sunday, May 8th. There will be hanging plants, chocolate, and various handmade gifts for purchase. All proceeds will go toward funding a service learning trip to Appalachia that 13 youth will be going on this summer! Great opportunity to find special gifts for all the mothers in our lives.

Cash, check and credit card will be accepted! 

If you haven’t yet, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN, whether you plan to attend regularly or not! It is tremendously helpful for us to keep track of who our young people are and what we need to know about them.CLICK HERE for RE registration!

What you need to know this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2021-2022 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, May 1st:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Susan
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • Maypole celebration on the lawn after worship!
    • Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 10:00-11:00, Carson Room
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-6:00p with parents, for WV Learning Session 4. Upstairs at Court St building
  • Sunday, May 8th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • No Coming of Age today–come to worship to meet Rev Ellen!
    • Senior Youth fundraiser: Mother’s Day plant sale and Bazaar! On the church lawn after worship
    • 11:30 Q&A with Rev Ellen in sanctuary
  • Thursday, May 12th:
    • 6:00pm Game Night in the sanctuary and pizza on the portico! Come meet and play with Rev Ellen. Kids welcome!
  • Friday, May 13th-Sun, May 15th:
    • High School youth camping trip at Pawtuckaway State Park!
  • Saturday, May 14th:
    • 9:30am Bagels and Coffee with Rev Ellen on the portico–families with children are welcome!
  • Sunday, May 15th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen Quaadgras
    • Coming of Age meets with mentors early for faith statement feedback session: 9:30-10:15, Piscataqua Room, then join worship!
    • Senior Youth will not meet this afternoon, since we will be tired and ready for showers after our camping trip 🙂
  • Sunday, May 22nd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
    • Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • Senior Youth meets for Faith Exploration and CoA alumni panel!

May’s Theme is “Nurturing Beauty“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • Learn together about Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that commemorates a victorious resistance to invasion, led by an indigenous Mexican leader and carried out by an unlikely group of loyal residents.
    • Family friendly written explanation on History.com
    • Video: “What is Cinco de Mayo?” on YouTube
  • Try this version of Rainbow Meditation
  • Create a “Best Thing” poem to celebrate the beauty of a thing or person, using this activity.
  • Make these affirmation jars, to help us remember and nurture our own true beauty
  • Keep a Gratitude Journal. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to record some of the places you saw beauty, such as: your fuzzy warm socks, a friend’s smile, or a sunset.

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes this month:

Earth and All, by Rev. Dr. David Breeden

We join together, 

bringing both our 

shadow and our light. 

We join together, 

opening our minds 

and our hearts. 

We join together, 

embracing, 

celebrating, 

sharing 

the beauty of each, 

the beauty of self, 

the beauty of the earth, 

the beauty of all. 

April ’22 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ 1 Comment
Rally for Ukraine, Market Square

Happy Spring, Dear Ones

Consider trying the all-ages April Awakening Adventure, which is a self-guided exploration of this month’s church theme. It asks everyone to spend 10 minutes sitting outside each day, with a daily prompt intending to increase our awareness of the awakening world around us and inside of us.

CLICK HERE for all of the details and printable materials, or email me if you have questions!

In other news, we will hold Families Tuugether again this month, on Saturday, April 9th, 5:00-7:30. If you’ve never participated, it’s a free date night for parents, while kids have social time together. Last month we pulled out the bouncy house, after a couple of years in storage! RSVP by 5pm day before.

Lastly, it’s almost Easter, and we’re ready for a good old-fashioned egg hunt! Join us for a multi-generational worship (no RE classes) on April 17th in the sanctuary, followed by egg hunt outside if weather is good, and indoors if not!

That’s what I’ve got for you right now. Your turn–what do you want me to know?

Be in touch,

JenDD🤟🏼♥️

If you haven’t yet, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN, whether you plan to attend regularly or not! It is tremendously helpful for us to keep track of who our young people are and what we need to know about them.CLICK HERE for RE registration!

What you need to know this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2021-2022 RE Program Information

  • Friday,April 1st:
    • High School OWL meets at Court St, 6:30-8:30
  • Sunday, April 3rd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten Hunter
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • Coming of Age meets with parents! 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 10:00-11:00, Carson Room
    • OWL 7 meets 4:00-5:30, social hall
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30p Upstairs at Court St building
  • Friday, April 8th:
    • 10th/11th grade OWL meets at Court St, 6:30-8:30p
  • Saturday, April 9th:
    • High School OWL meets for special session, 9:30a-2:30p
    • Families Tuugether, 5:00-7:30p. RSVP to JenDD
  • Sunday, April 10th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
    • April Awakening Adventure check-in on church lawn, 11:15-11:45a
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 10:00-11:00, Carson Room
    • OWL 7 meets 4:00-5:30, social hall
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30p, Upstairs at Court St building
  • Friday, April 15th:
    • 10th/11th grade OWL meets for FINAL SESSION at Court St, 6:30-8:30p
  • Sunday, April 17th:
    • Easter Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
    • Egg hunt following worship!
    • No RE classes today
  • Sunday, April 24th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Endowment Committee
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • Coming of Age meets with mentors 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 10:00-11:00, Carson Room
    • OWL 7 meets for FINAL SESSION 4:00-5:30, social hall. Parents, join us from 5:00-5:30!
    • Senior Youth meets with parents, for Whole Hearts session 2, 4:00-5:30p upstairs at Court St building
  • Sunday, May 1st:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
    • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
    • Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00, Piscataqua Room
    • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 10:00-11:00, Carson Room
    • Senior Youth meets with parents for Learning Journey Session 4, 4:00-6:00p upstairs at Court St building

April’s Theme is “Awakening“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

  • April Awakening Adventure: An all-ages exploration of our church theme, involving a daily 10 minute sit time outside, along with a prompt. Find all info and materials HERE.
  • Easter Egg Birdseed Ornaments: Easter and Earth Day both happen in April this year. Try this craft that celebrates both holidays!
  • Read “Rechenka’s Eggs” by Patricia Polacco, a Russian-Ukranian story about a woman who finds miracles when she awakens to the pain and suffering of a goose. Watch the read-along HERE

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes this month:

What to Remember When Waking 

David Whyte 

Full poem at http://www.stevenkharper.com/whattorememberwhenwaking.html?utm_source=pocket_mylist 

In that first hardly noticed moment in which you wake… 

there is a small opening into the new day… 

Now, looking through the slanting light of the morning window 

toward the mountain presence of everything that can be 

what urgency calls you to your one love? 

What shape waits in the seed of you 

to grow and spread its branches…