February ’25 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu

There has been a barrage of orders from Washington in the last couple of weeks that are definitively out of line with our UU values. We are seeing an assault on the rights of, and even the very existence of, trans, nonbinary and intersex people. There are orders to immediately stop all initiatives connected to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), which are meant to move us toward a more fair and antiracist society. There are already several moves to undo progress toward protecting our planet and slowing climate change, including deregulation, pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, and more. And there is an order to stop all federal grant money, which would affect countless programs, including food assistance for families.

So what do we do? We come back to small community, where we remember to focus on what is important. Where we look for opportunities to act on our values. And where we can surround our children with role models who share those values.

Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity, with Love at the center. This is what we agree to work toward as Unitarian Universalists. When we keep explicitly naming these, we will naturally know how to live in challenging times.

Special events for February:

  • Parents of a child, youth or young adult who identifies as nonbinary or trans: Rev. Ellen and Jen Del Deo-Barry will be offering an opportunity to gather, connect, hear one another, and talk about how we can support you. Please email one or both of us if you would like to participate. We will set a date and time that works for most respondents. jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org, revellen@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sun 2/2 Youth-led worship: Our high school teens will offer worship, starting off the February church theme of Inclusion.
  • Friday 2/14 Sparks & Flames Game Night for kids in grades 5 through 8. RSVP by 4pm Weds 2/12: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Saturday 2/15 Families Tuugether free babysitting night! Parents gather for a time of connection before heading out for a couple of hours, while we play with your kids! For families with kids ages 3 months and older. RSVP by 4pm Thurs 2/13
  • Saturday 2/22 Winter Walk for All Ages at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 3 Arboretum Dr, Newington. 10-11:30am. Join South Church friends for some time in nature! (Note, dogs are not allowed at GBNWR.)
  • Registration is OPEN for our special summer offering for kids! Roots is a weeklong summer camp-style program that will be focused on fun, community, and building connections. This is a great opportunity to invite friends to experience what South Church offers. Spread the word! Info and registration links can be found at: https://southchurch-uu-re.org/roots-summer-program/

February Church Theme is “Inclusion”

  • 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:
    • Join the Winter Walk at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 2/22 10am. Join South Church friends for some quality time in nature. Invite friends!
    • Make a dinner for unhoused families during South Church’s week with Seacoast Family Promise. Sign up HERE or email for more info: southchurchsfpcoordinator@gmail.com
  • Check out Side With Love’s 30 Days of Love, for activities, videos, and more: https://sidewithlove.org
  • Books/stories relevant to this month: Read or watch videos of these stories…
  • February Shared Plate Organization: Black Lives Matter NH. (In September 2023, BLM Seacoast, Manchester, and Nashua merged). The mission of BLMNH is to dismantle anti-Blackness, eradicate systemic racism, champion racial equality, combat racial injustices, put an end to police brutality, and advocate for justice for all Black lives in New Hampshire. Learn more at www.blmnh.org

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

The Names of Love, by Rev. Scott Tayler

We light this chalice in the names of love.
The love of family that brings us into being, allows us to bloom, and then sends us on our way with courage, knowing we can return no matter what.
The love of partnered hearts that teach us to trust and help us know that who we are does not end at the barrier of our own skin.
The love of friends who help us feel seen and sing our song back to us when we cannot hear it with our ears alone.
The love of community that baths us in belonging and calls us to see the needs of others as our own.
And the greatest love: the love that will not let us go, even in our fear, even in our failure, even when we are lonely or lost.
Love invites us home. If we listen, it is doing so, even today.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2024-2025 RE Program Information

  • Saturday, February 1st:
    • Senior Youth overnight, 6:30pm arrival at church
  • Sunday, February 2nd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by high school youth group
    • 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 will meet downstairs following the TFAA
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30, Milk Classroom
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:15a at 73 Court St, no Mentors
    • Senior Youth does not meet this afternoon
  • Sunday, February 9th:
    • 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 for final class–parents, join us at 11:00!
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30, Milk Classroom
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:15a at 73 Court St, with Mentors. (Mentor check-in at 9am, Emerson Room)
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Friday, February 14th:
    • Sparks & Flames Game Night, 7-9p. For all 5th-8th graders. Please RSVP by 5pm Weds 2/12 for details!
  • Saturday, February 15th:
    • Families Tuugether, free babysitting night for families! 5-8pm, must RSVP: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, February 16th:
    • Multigenerational Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rebecca Hennessy
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • 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, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade does NOT meet today.
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Saturday, February 22nd:
    • All-Ages Winter Walk at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 10-11:30am. 3 Arboretum Drive, Newington. FMI: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org, 603-956-5146
  • Sunday, February 23rd:
    • Multigenerational Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 8th grade will NOT run today, worship is for all ages! 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age does not meet today–come to worship!
    • 7th Grade OWL does NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 2nd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Rev Ellen
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • 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, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30, Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

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