Wow has it been a wonderfully busy time at South Church!

This past Sunday, the South Church Service Learning Group (grades 5-7) went on a mini field trip to visit the Seacoast Fridge, located at Kittery Community Center. They are learning about food insecurity and met with Whitney from Seacoast Fridge to hear about how the program got started, what they do, and how people can help. They will be collecting food and supplies for that organization over the next couple of weeks.

Our 7th grade OWL program has been running for a few weeks now, and our 5th graders started this past Sunday, too!

We have welcomed many new folks over the past two months, including quite a few families. If you are new and have any questions or curiosities, please don’t hesitate to reach out! The Program Info area of this website is updated with information on the age-specific classes that will be running for this program year, and we have so much fun, connection, and learning planned for the coming months!

Please Register for RE (and thank you to the many who have done so already!): We need all children and youth to be registered each year so we have all the info we need to serve you safely and well. Now is the time! Click here to register!

Please reach out with any questions or concerns! Everyone deserves to engage at church in ways that feel right for them. We are always happy to help find the ways work best for each person.

See you soon! 🤟♥️

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Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2022-2023 RE Program Information

• Sunday, October 30th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
  • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
  • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • 7th grade OWL and Senior Youth do not meet today
• Monday, October 31st:
  • Halloween Social and Bake Sale! Our high school youth will be selling baked treats and hot drinks on the portico, as a fundraiser for their next Service Learning trip. Come hang out, have refreshments, and watch the parade with lots of South Church friends, beginning at 6:00pm.
• Friday, November 4th:
  • Sparks and Flames! Social group for grades 5-8 will play hide and seek in the dark at Urban Forestry Center. RSVP by 4pm Thurs 11/3: jendeldeo@resouthchurchuu.org
  • Coming of Age Fall Retreat Fri 6pm-Sat 10pm (Parents come back at 9:30p Sat!)
• Sunday, November 6th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten Hunter
  • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
  • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
  • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
• Saturday, November 12th:
  • Families Tuugether! RSVP by noon Fri 11/11. More info HERE.
• Sunday, November 13th:
  • • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age does NOT meet today.
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
• Sunday, November 20th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
  • Senior Youth Wreath Sale fundraiser after worship!
  • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
  • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
  • Senior Youth does not meet this afternoon
• Sunday, November 27th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
  • All-ages RE time downstairs following TFAA 
  • Senior Youth, Coming of Age, and all OWL classes will NOT meet today.
• Sunday, December 4th:
  • • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • 5th/6th grade OWL meets 9:30-11:00a in Piscataqua Room
    • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • All other age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 at church
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

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October’s Theme is “Courage“ and November’s is “Change”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

• Children’s book recommendations. Available to borrow at libraries, for purchase at link, or to borrow from church if it has **asterisks. (Contact JenDD to borrow) Descriptions are from the inSpirit UUA bookstore website:
  • “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water”** by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nikkolas SmithLyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States
  • “Emile and the Field” ** by Kevin Young, illustrated by Chioma Ebinama. Picture book from an award-winning poet, a young boy cherishes a neighborhood field throughout the changing seasons. With stunning illustrations and a charming text, this beautiful story celebrates a child’s relationship with nature. 
  • “Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You” by Justice Sonia Sotomayor and award-winning artist Rafael Lopez
  • “We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade. You can also check out the Water Protectors activity kit and take the Earth Steward and Water Protector Pledge.
• “Courage” Dinner Discussion Prompt: What do you think stops people from taking a stand against something they know is wrong?
• Engage with the Seacoast Fridge! Our 5th-7th Grade Service Learning group is exploring food justice and visited the Seacoast Fridge at Kittery Community Center, a volunteer run community food station where you take what you need and leave what you can. It is open to all, and their priorities include reducing food waste from local businesses and changing the stigma around needing help. Our 5th-7th graders are now collecting food and supplies for the fridge. You and your family can support the fridge any time, in several ways. Check out the Seacoast Fridge Team Hub Facebook page for information!

Chalice Lightings for mealtimes:

Courage

You can’t buy courage at a store

It comes to you when you are weak

You will always have it, you just don’t always find it

Your heart knows where it is

It lives inside your soul

Courage never is lost

You know it like you know your own parents

Courage is everywhere

in the woods,

in the sea

everythere

By Ellen Reiling, 5th Grade Student

In Honor of First Steps

We light this chalice in honor of first steps. 

For beginning even when the path ahead is unclear. 

For the courage it takes to trust 

that the way will reveal itself 

that light will come to clarify our vision 

that friends will be by our side. 

May the words, song, stillness and common breath of this hour, 

remind us that every step of the way 

is never one we take alone. 

By Rev. Scott Tayler