These resources support parents as they try to live out and engage our themes with their children. In this sense, our question for this section is : “What does it mean to be a parent of Memory” or “What does it mean to be a family of Memory?” As you use these resources to engage these questions, keep in mind some additional ways to use them with other parents or your church community:

• Reflect with those in your family.
• Share and discuss them with other parents or another family.
• Use them in a Parent Circle that meets on Sunday afternoon or mid-week.

Sankofa – stories we need to remember-

In Music… During this month, some of our elementary aged students at church will be visiting the African Burying grounds up the street from South church, where the symbol of Sankofa is embedded in the walking path. Here are some links that invite your family to celebrate the Ghanaian culture from which we find the Adinkra symbol of “Sankofa” meaning “Go Back and Get It.”  Let the music and drums move you into your own memories.

• Sona Jobarteh – Jarabi -The drummer in this group is from Ghana and the guitarist is from Nigeria. Sona is from Gambia.
• Mamady Keïta – Kuku

In Stories and Books…

Belonging Fannie Barrier Williams -A story from the UUA Tapestry of Faith resources. “… Fannie went to Washington DC to study painting. She had to hide behind a screen so no one could see her. “If the other students know you’re here,” the teacher told Fannie, “they’ll want you to leave.” Over and over again, all through her life, Fannie was told she wasn’t wanted and couldn’t belong, just because she had dark skin…” – from the story

Milo’s Museum by Zetta Elliott  (Author), Purple Wong (Illustrator). “Milo is excited about her class trip to the museum. The docent leads them on a tour and afterward Milo has time to look around on her own. But something doesn’t feel right, and Milo gradually realizes that the people from her community are missing from the museum. When her aunt urges her to find a solution, Milo takes matters into her own hands and opens her own museum!” – Amazon

Remembering the Shoulders We Stand On

Our Unitarian history has roots in Transylvania, where the Edict of Torda was written 450 years ago. It is fascinating to think about how our UU principles today- nearly half a century later- remain tied to that time in history.

Article: The Edict of Torda, a landmark in religious freedom, by Eric Cherry.

Video: 2016 Transylvania Tour – Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation Adult Choir. Watch minute 9:00 – 17:47 for footage of Unitarian Churches in Transylvania.

Movies for families about Memory

• The Peanuts Movie  “Nobody says what time period the movie takes place in, but the characters use rotary phones (and don’t have devices/screens everywhere). Did you notice the lack of technology in the kids’ lives? How does that compare to what you’re used to? Do you think one way is better than the other?” – Common Sense Media
• Kubo and the Two Strings (PG) “…has more darkness and edge than many average kids’ movies and is best suited for tweens and older, rather than the preschool and early-elementary set. It has scary characters and epic battles that can be quite intense and that lead to character injuries, an entire village burning (though the villagers survive), and even deaths. …Despite the peril, this epic adventure set in an alternative fantasy Japan has strong themes of courage and teamwork. And at heart, it’s a mother-and-son love story, as well as the tale of a young artist learning how to be a hero.” – Common Sense Media, as suggested by Lynnie Lynn, Topeka, KS
• Inside Out – Family Movie
• Coco – Family Movie “Coco’s rich visual pleasures are matched by a thoughtful narrative that takes a family-friendly — and deeply affecting — approach to questions of culture, family, memory, life, and death…” Engages Day of the Dead – Oct.31 – Nov. 2