Here we are, in November. Wow!

Natural cycles tell us that this is a time of year when we return from our outward, productive, adventurous work and move toward turning inward, reflecting, sharing the stories of where we’ve been. Giving thanks, storytelling, and honoring the wisdom of our ancestors all fall into this realm. Sometimes when we feel tension, friction, or overwhelm it can help to return to these natural cycles to remind us how of the flow that keeps us moving in gentler ways. A little centering can go a long way.

The church theme for November is “Holding History.”

There’s a painfully lovely excerpt in this month’s Soul Matters resources that ties it all together: “Let’s not just ‘remember’ this month. Let’s not just talk of telling truthful tales. Let’s prepare to grieve, to confess, to feel, to forgive. The world needs broken-open hearts, not just good historians. That is, indeed, the only way the past gets in.” So much to process, but this is a good place and time to do that.

At this point, there are lots of Religious Education programs underway: Senior Youth for our high school kids, 8th grade Coming of Age, 6th/7th grade Service Learning, OWL sexuality education for 5th grade and 7th grade, and Young Church for 5th grade and younger. If you are looking for a place for your kids to jump in, or if for any reason these programs don’t fit your kids’ needs, then PLEASE reach out so we can find fulfilling ways for every member of your family to be in community here. That can look like a whole lot of different things, and we are committed to creating positive spaces for everyone.

Covid Policy Update: There is a small new change. During worship in the sanctuary, the person who is speaking at the front of the church may choose to take their mask off. Everyone else is to keep masks on in the buildings at all times. As the covid situation changes in the community, there will continue to be shifts in our policy. We will communicate those changes so you are making informed decisions around your family’s health and safety. In Religious Ed classes, all volunteers are required to be vaccinated and everyone wears masks. When snack is offered in an RE class, it will happen outdoors.

We still need lots of kinds volunteers! This applies to many areas of church life, in addition to Religious Ed groups. We have a rich program, and it takes a lot of people to make it wonderful. We would LOVE to help you find a role that will fill your spiritual cup to overflowing. Please reach out to any South Church staff member to see how you can help–we can fit a role to match your availability and interests.

Finally, 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!

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What you need to know this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2021-2022 RE Program Information

• Sunday, November 7th:
  • Worship at 9:00a and 11:00a, Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
  • 9:00a service will stream live on YouTube
  • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
  • Coming of Age meets 10:45-12:00, Piscataqua Room
  • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 11:00-12:00, Carson Room
  • OWL 5 meets 9:30-11:00, Court St classroom
  • OWL 7 meets 4:00-5:30, social hall
  • Senior Youth AND PARENTS meet 4:00-6:00p upstairs at Court St building
• Friday, November 12th:
  • Sparks and Flames Social Event! Campfire Fun, 7:00-9:00p. RSVP for location: jendeldeo@shouthchurch-uu.org
• Sunday, November 14th:
  • Worship at 9:00a and 11:00a, Sermon offered by Rev. Ariel Aaronson Eves
  • 9:00a service will stream live on YouTube
  • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
  • Coming of Age meets 10:45-4:00 for Fall Retreat Day 2
  • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 11:00-12:00, Carson Room
  • OWL 5 meets 9:30-11:00, Court St classroom
  • OWL 7 meets for extended class 1:30-5:30, social hall
  • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30p upstairs at Court St building
• Saturday, November 20th:
  • Senior Youth trip to HOME
• Sunday, November 21st:
  • Worship at 9:00a and 11:00a, Sermon offered by Reverend Susan
  • 9:00a service will stream live on YouTube
  • Young Church meets downstairs following TFAA
  • Coming of Age meets 10:45-12:00, Piscataqua Room
  • 6th/7th grade Service Learning meets 11:00-12:00, Carson Room
  • OWL 5 meets 9:30-11:00, Court St classroom
  • OWL 7 meets 4:00-5:30, social hall
  • Senior Youth Wreath Sale during Social Hour!
• Sunday, November 28th:
  • Worship at 9:00a and 11:00a, Sermon offered by Cathy Wolff
  • 9:00a service will stream live on YouTube
  • All-Ages RE program meets downstairs following TFAA!
  • No meeting for OWL, Coming of Age, or 6th/7th Service Learning today–join the All Ages RE program today!
  • No meeting for Senior Youth today

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Families at Home: November’s Theme is “Holding History“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

• UU 2nd Principle: On Nov 21st, our Young Church participants will learn about the 2nd UU Principle: “Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.” In kid-friendly language, “We believe that all people should be treated fairly and kindly.” Explore this idea together at home, and bonus points for adding the “Holding History” theme by talking or reading a book about Thanksgiving from an Indigenous People’s perspective. CLICK HERE for a link to a list of books.
• Remembering Those Who Have Died: Many people have lost loved ones in a time when we haven’t been able to hold our regular rituals around death and saying goodbye. There are ways we can hold our ancestors and other people who have died actively in our lives. Some UUs can be uncomfortable about knowing how prayer fits in their lives. Here is a great story that gives us a lot to think about on these topics: “Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth”
• Gratitude Tree: A regular Gratitude practice is shown to benefit both our physical and emotional hearts, and to improve our general wellbeing. Try making a family gratitude tree that everyone can add to daily. HERE is a link to several ideas for creating a gratitude tree.
  • Try adding prompts some days, such as “What’s a memory you are grateful for?” or “Who is a person who has helped you that you are grateful for?”

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes this month:

For What Shall We Give Thanks?

Rev. Laura Horton-Ludwig 

Full piece at https://www.uua.org/worship/words/opening/what-shall-we-give-thanks 

“The wheel of the year has turned again. 

Once more the Thanksgiving season has arrived. 

How shall we sing our song of gratitude now? 

For what shall we give thanks?…”