It’s a NEW DECADE, everyone!

I am sitting at the front desk at church right now, listening to a full room of laughter and light as our high school youth feed the First Night revelers hot bowls of chili! Thank you so much to all of you who made pots of chili to donate, who showed up to help with serving, or who came to eat and take it all in!

Have you registered for the RE program this year? If not, you can register by clicking here!

This Month… (follow the program links for more information)

• January 3rd– Sparks and Purple Flames social groups will be ice skating tonight! 7-9pm at Puddledock pond. RSVP if you can join us!
• January 5th: Worship at 10a- with a special New Year ritual before out young people (preschool-5th grade) head downstairs for Children’s Chapel don’t forget to bring a small donation and your UU7 Challenge sheets (if you completed any of them)! 5th grade OWL– 9:30 at Court St- and there is 5th grade OWL parent forum this week at 9am.  Coming of Age (8th grade) meets at #73 Court st at 10a. 7th grade OWL will meet at 4pm at South Church, and Senior youth group and parents will meet at 4pm at 73 Court St for our first GA planning potluck!
• January 11th: Families Tuugether 4:30-8pm. Remember to RSVP!
• January 12th: Worship at 10a. Spirit play for pre K-Kinder students and Elementary age Workshops for 1st-5th grade convene after the story for all ages. 5th grade OWL- 9:30 at Court St. 6th-7th grade will meet in the Carson Parlour. Coming of Age (8th grade) meet at #73 Court st at 10a. 7th grade OWL will meet at 4pm at South Church, and Senior youth group will meet at 4pm at 73 Court St.
• January 18th: *community event* The NH Women’s March an empowering event in support women’s rights, human rights, social and environmental justice. This event is hosted by several grassroots organizations with deep roots and commitment to advancing these values in our community. We will meet at Noon at South Church to make posters. There will be speakers at 1 pm in Market Square followed by the magnificent Leftist Marching Band! Dress warm!
• January 19th: Worship at 10a. 6th and 7th grade Crossing Paths meet at 10am to prepare for our visit to the Quaker meeting house next week. Spirit play for pre K-Kinder students and Elementary age Workshops for 1st-5th grade convene after the story for all ages. There is NO OWL or Coming of age this week. Senior youth will lead a coffee sale in the morning, but there is no youth group Sunday night.
• January 20th: *community event* Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast  This is not listed specifically as a family event, but a great way to celebrate MLKjr. Pancake Breakfast 8:30am, speakers and music from 10:00-12:00. Program includes Keynote Speaker Reverend Jeffrey M. McIlwain, Pastor at North Star AME Zion Church, Newington NH. Music by North Star Right Now Band with Choir, Marie Foti, and Gary Richardson. Hosted by Reverend Robert Thompson, Chair, Black Heritage Trail New Hampshire. Join us afterwards for a tour of the Black Heritage Trail with Sankofa Scholar Nur Shoop.
• January 26th: Worship at 10a. Spirit play for pre K-Kinder students and Elementary age Workshops for 1st-5th grade convene after the story for all ages. 5th grade OWL- 9:30 at Court St. 6th-7th grade will meet in the Carson Parlour. Coming of Age (8th grade) meet at #73 Court st at 10a. 7th grade OWL will meet at 4pm at South Church, and Senior youth group will meet at 4pm at 73 Court St. The Annual Meeting is today after church, childcare will be available.

Family and Parent Resources for exploring Integrity These resources help parents as they engage the question: “What does it mean to be a family of Integrity?”

• Story To Read Together
  • The Empty Pot A tale of honesty and integrity rewarded. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZqmNJvsGkM
• Family Discovery
  • Thirty Days of Love: Take home the “Thirty Days of Love” Calendar and practice it with your family.
• Family Movie Night Ideas
  • Mary Poppins “Families can talk about how Mary Poppins gets her messages across. What’s easier to hear, a command or a song? How does Poppins get respect from others? Why is it important to spend time together? What happens if people get too busy sometimes to “go fly a kite”? How does Mary Poppins teach and demonstrate … integrity?”
• Support for Parents as Faith Formation Guides
  • The Unique Challenges of UU Parenting By Michelle Richards, UU World Magazine