Kids Giving the Charge From Children and Youth at Rev Ellen and Kirsten’s Installation

What a joyous occasion the Installation for Reverend Ellen and Kirsten was on April 30th!

South Church is doing fantastic work by implementing this new shared leadership model. We are stronger, more stable, and have so much more creative potential in this framework!

A lot of South Church children and youth gave input for one of the charges that was delivered at the Installation. They were prompted with questions like: What do you want church to be now and in the future? If our church were doing its best job at supporting you, what would that look like for you and other kids? and What is church for?

They had a lot to say! There was far more than what could fit in the few minutes available for sharing in church, but there were some strong themes that came up several times: They want more time where everyone is together; they want church to be interactive, not just a place to sit and listen; they want different kinds of music; and above all, they want fairness, equity, and a welcoming place for everyone to be their true selves.

This is a tall order, though it is certainly a reasonable set of goals.

In other news, we are moving toward the end of this RE program year. Please try to make it to church for Bridging on June 4th. This is a UU tradition where we mark transitions. We celebrate the start of summer, kids moving up to a new grade, and we especially honor our graduating Seniors, as they prepare to start a whole new chapter of their lives. Come help honor these sweet people, and be celebrated for all of your own transitions this year too. This will be an All-Ages, kid-friendly worship service. We will jump into a fun and light summer RE session the following week.

June 11th will be the 8th grade Coming of Age worship. This is when the youth, after having explored their values and beliefs since October, present their personal credos to the congregation. It is always a powerful and memorable time, and people often remark that it is one of their favorite church moments of the year.

Here are a few upcoming RE things to take note of:

• Mother’s Day Flower Sale and Bazaar, Sunday May 14th after worship
• Coming of Age Wilderness Retreat 5/26-5/28
• Bridging Sunday June 4th!! Mark your calendars for this sweet All-Ages tradition.

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

• Friday, May 5th-Sun May 7th:
  • Senior Youth camping trip at Pawtuckaway State Park
• Sunday, May 7th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. This will be an all-ages worship! Sermon offered by Kirsten
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St with parents!
  • Other RE classes will not meet today, as this will be a multigenerational worship day
  • 7th Grade OWL meets for final session, 3:00-5:30 at church. Parents, please come to the sanctuary a little before 5:00
  • No Senior Youth meeting today.
• Sunday, May 14th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Ellen
  • 8th grade Coming of Age does not meet today
  • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • Senior Youth does not meet this afternoon–come to the Flower Sale & Bazaar 
• Sunday, May 21st:
• • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 in Piscataqua Room, with Mentors
  • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St. 
• Friday, May 26th
  • Coming of Age Wilderness Retreat at Pawtuckaway State Park! (Until Sunday 5/28)
• Sunday, May 28th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Arthur Eves
  • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • Senior Youth does not meet today, holiday weekend
• Sunday, June 4th:
  • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. BRIDGING! This will be an all-ages, kid-friendly worship!
  • 8th grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St (no Mentors)
  • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • 7th Grade OWL does not meet today
  • Senior Youth does not meet–Come to Bridging!!
• Sunday, June 11th
• • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Worship offered by 8th Grade Coming of Age Youth!
  • Age-based RE classes for Pre-K through 4th grade meet in rooms downstairs following the Time For All Ages
  • Kids in grades 5 through 7 should stay in worship today to witness the CoA youth 🙂
  • No Senior Youth meeting today–come support CoA youth in worship!

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May’s Church Theme is “Creativity”

Our UU faith in practice and action:

• You’ve got to watch this video! It’s an incredible example of creativity; remarkable music made by a marble machine: https://youtu.be/IvUU8joBb1Q
• Take a stand for gun control:
  • Saturday, May 13th–Mother’s Day of Action. Join Moms Demand Action in a national visibility campaign to tell Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban. Join other Moms Demand Action supporters. Wear your red shirt and bring your homemade sign to rally support for an assault weapons ban. Sat 5/13, Prescott Park, Portsmouth, 10am
• Learn about and support Mamas Day: “A movement to celebrate Mamahood in all its forms. Honoring the four tenets of reproductive justice, a black feminist framework.” Info, plus beautiful printable art: https://mamasday.org/
• Learning about our UU History:
  • May 12th is the anniversary of the founding of the UUA, 1960.

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes:

Blessed are the Makers

Rev. Marcus Liefert

Oh you who are makers;
Makers of beauty,
Of paintings and pottery and sculpture,
Blessed is the making.
You who make with hands and hearts and minds,
Who make out of breath and bones and blood human lives, Blessed are the makers.

Blessed are those who make us laugh, Who make jokes and faces and toys.

Blessed are those who make messes,
Who make trouble and friends, and when needed, make up.

Blessed are those who make do,
Who make it last, make it work, make beds and make time for others.

Blessed are those who make love,
Who make out and make more and make mistakes.

Blessed are those who make coffee and tea,
Who make conversation, who make meaning in the face of tragedy; who make merriment and awaken joy.

Blessed are those who make peace For they shall inherit the earth.