We’re getting daylight back, everyone! Clocks change this week, which for me always brings some extra evening energy. It won’t be long before we have windows open, and that pale green of early spring kissing the trees… sweet season, this.

Corona virus: There are still a lot of unknowns about what might be on the horizon for our community related to the spread of Corvid 19, but I will be communicating with families as necessary while things evolve. In the mean time, I think this comic is a great way to sit down and talk with your kids– they are surely hearing things about this virus, so making time to reflect with them will allow them to communicate any fear or anxiety they might be feeling. While we’re on the topic, here’s a link to a more reflective, deep dive connecting this virus with larger elements of our world right now, written by Susan Raffo: “Coronavirus, Climate Change and Community Care”

Save the date! There will be a No Cages No Carbon summit, hosted by the UUNH Action Network which will take place at the UU church in Exeter on Saturday, May 9th. The programming has been planned to include adults and youth of middle school age and older, and there will be children’s programming for younger kids. I hope you will join me!

Family Resources to engage the question: “What does it mean to be a family of wisdom?”

• Story To Read Together: I am Jazz (for Transgender Day of Visibility Mar 31) by Jessica Herthel  (Author), Jazz Jennings (Author), Shelagh McNicholas (Illustrator). Find the Book here. “The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.” – Amazon
• Family Discovery: The Wisdom of Simplicity: Make a Kite
  • Option #1: A simple activity is building and flying a kite. You can make one for under $1 out of a plastic garbage bag, two dowels, tape and string. Here are the instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u5Aa3BkCQg For a group, we recommend making some premeasured templates so the children can use them as a guide to cut their bag to the right shape, instead of measuring it. Reflect on how the building of the kite teaches you the wisdom of careful following of instructions.
  • Option #2: We recommend this “Color a Sled Kite” as “the best ever for RE kids and young youth!” It allows you to design the image yourself, and it flies well in little wind. Order these beforehand @$7.50. https://intothewind.com/kites/foil-sled-kites/color-a-sled-kite.html P.S. There is an inexpensive small box of crayons provided in the kit. You may want to use permanent markers on the Tyvek surface of the kite for more satisfying graphics.
• Family Movie Night Idea: Song of the Sea “.. But what really makes Song of the Sea such a winning and delightful film is its focus on the two siblings, the use of traditional music, and the stories within the story. Ben is the keeper of his mum’s stories (all of which are true, we learn), and Saoirse is the keeper of the song that will set the fairy spirits free from their imprisonment. It may sound a bit complicated, but in the context of the movie, even young kids will understand what’s going on and how the various stories interconnect..” – Common Sense review
• For Parents: (Support for Adults as Faith Formation Guides): The Wisdom of Play a great publication about how children learn to make sense of the world through play

Sending love to you all, may this season of change offer your family inspiration and growth!