Hello, Dear Families💜
Wherever you are, however your spirit feels today, know that you are tethered to a community that loves you exactly as you are, not just on Sundays, but every day. Know that your church is a place for dear humans of all ages to gather, a place to share and act on our values, a place for fun, joy and celebration, and a place for holding sorrow, fear, and grief, together. Several adults and teens have named recently that the drama and uncertainty of the election news has reminded them that they want to focus on this small, close-knit community that always centers on our core values.
We have some “extracurricular” social events coming up that give us opportunities for joy and deepening relationships! These are fantastic ways to get to know more people personally, and great opportunities for kids to love coming to church, because these are the FUN parts! Make sure to put Families Tuugether (11/23), Sparks & Flames (11/22), and the Holiday Potluck Party on your calendars (see below.)
We are seeing some new faces in the last few weeks. Please take initiative to introduce yourself to folks you don’t know. Help them know they belong here, and help connect them to sources of information–staff, website, group leads, etc.
If you still haven’t registered your kids for the current RE year, please do it now! This is an easy but incredibly helpful task and it doesn’t come with any obligation to attend regularly. Click HERE to fill out the online form.
November Church Theme is “Repair”
- Spiritual Decathlon: This is a monthly spiritual practice that began in September. It is meant for all ages, and involves choosing one action per week (from a list or make up your own) that somehow connects to your spirituality and maybe even connects to the monthly theme. Get a gold star for each week you participate! More info here, and following are some family- or kid-friendly options for this month:
- Write a letter to someone with whom you’ve had unresolved tension. Whether you send it or not, reflect on the experience of putting your intentions for repair into words.
- Repair one household item as a mindfulness exercise. Think about the connection between physical and emotional “repairs” that help bring order and peace into your life.
- Think of a time where you could have said “I’m sorry” but didn’t. How do you feel about that choice? Is there an opportunity to say it now?
- Slowing Down: Doing things that help slow our busy lives can help us repair in many kinds of ways. Check out this “Slow Down Childhood Challenge” calendar, offered by Nicolette Sowder at Wilder Child.
- Books/stories with a Repair message: Read or watch videos of these stories…
- November Shared Plate Organization: Mainspring. From their website “Mainspring offers a dignified, efficient, and effective model of care that empowers individuals to navigate the pathway out of poverty.”
- Check out the Mainspring website to learn more about the collaborators involved with making Mainspring a “one stop shop resources center” for community care, and see how your family can help!
Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:
By Jess Reynolds
Full piece found in Love Like Thunder, a UUA meditation manual & Soul Matters “Common Shelf” Book
“Light the candle. Cup your hands around the flame and listen as it whispers. What does it say to your warm and weathered palms? …
Light the candle. Breathe against the flame and watch it ripple. Breathe your fears into it and let them burn into trails of empty gray…
Light the candle. Feel your bones melt like wax, all your hardest parts softening to the touch…”
Click Linked Items for additional Details
Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information
- Sunday, November 3rd:
- Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- Elementary OWL meets 10-11:30a in Carson Parlor
- RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA
- 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 1-4:00p in the main building social hall today, with mentors!
- 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30p in Milk Classroom
- Senior Youth meets 4-5:30p at Church kitchen today!
- Friday, November 8th:
- Coming of Age retreat, 7:00p Fri until 9:30p Sat (Parents/siblings join Sat 9p for a game)
- Sunday, November 10th:
- Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- Elementary OWL does not meet today
- RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA
- 8th Grade Coming of Age does not meet today
- 7th Grade OWL meets for extended session, 3-5:30 in Milk Classroom.
- Senior Youth meets 4-5:30 at 73 Court St
- Sunday, November 17th:
- Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- Elementary OWL meets 10-11:30 in the Forbes Room today
- RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA
- 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00a in the Milk classroom, with Mentors
- Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at main church building
- Friday, November 22nd:
- Sparks & Flames BOWLING for kids in grades 5 through 8! 7-9pm, must RSVP: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
- Saturday, November 23rd:
- Families Tuugether, free babysitting night for families! 5-8pm, must RSVP: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
- Sunday, November 24th:
- Multigenerational Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Rev Ellen and Kirsten
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade DO NOT meet today–kids are encouraged to stay in worship today!
- 8th Grade Coming of Age and Elementary (morning) OWL do NOT meet today–come to worship
- 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30p in the Milk classroom
- Senior Youth meets 4-5:30p at 73 Court St for first Learning Session!
- Sunday, December 1st:
- Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Arthur Eves
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- All-ages RE fun will meet downstairs following the TFAA
- Morning and afternoon OWL classes do NOT meet today
- 8th Grade Coming of Age and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
- Friday, December 6th:
- Holiday Potluck Party and Hanging of the Greens!
- Sunday, December 8th:
- Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
- Children’s Holiday Market open to all kids after worship!
- Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
- Elementary OWL meets 10-11:30a in Carson Parlor
- RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA
- 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:15a at 73 Court St
- 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30p in Milk Classroom
- Senior Youth meets 4-5:30p at 73 Court St
southchurch-uu-re.org 