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.

🤟♥️

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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, 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:
  • Juneteenth! Visit Black Heritage Trail NH’s website for information about celebration events.
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Willow Young
• 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

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June’s Theme is “Celebrating Blessings“

Our UU faith in practice and action:

• Pride Month Activities
  • 3 Ways to Be an ALLY Video Queer Kids Stuff, with Puppet Teddy and Lindsay, presents a great explanation of words and ideas around diversity, such as privilege, and being an ally. 
  • Seacoast Outright’s Pride Portsmouth March on June 25th

• 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.