April ’25 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu
JOY: Teens preparing for youth-led worship 2/2/25

Our high school youth group led a spectacular worship on February 2nd. It’s so cool to watch the way they can create healthy community when they show up again and again, willing to be vulnerable, to play, and to work through discomfort. They talk often about how it’s hard to join a new group but that when they stick with it and practice having real conversations it creates a place of trust where they can be their whole selves and they can navigate the world outside of church more confidently.

We start this process in RE from the very beginning. Our Nursery is about playing, making friends, and learning to be comfortable at church. Young Church builds trust through check ins that get deeper as kids get comfortable and know each other. Weekly check ins continue for every program, and conversations become more substantial and meaningful.

This process is very much helped by regular attendance. We recognize that this isn’t possible for many families, with so many other obligations in our kids’ young lives filling their schedules. Church is not mandatory. But the rewards of participating in this community throughout our lives end up being greater as we put more in. This is not meant to put guilt on anyone. Church has been here for 200 years and is here and yours whenever you’re able to be here.

Special events for April:

  • Sunday 4/13 Discussion Group for Parents of Trans/Nonbinary Children, Youth and Young Adults 11:45-12:45 in the Carson Parlor. A safe space for parents to connect and share stories and resources. FMI reach out to JenDB
  • Friday 4/18 Sparks & Flames Movie and Ice Cream Sundae Night for any kids in grades 5 through 8. RSVP by 4pm Weds 4/16: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org 
  • Saturday 4/19 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 4/17
  • Sunday 4/20 Easter! Multigenerational worship followed by traditional Easter Egg Hunt! Nursery will not be staffed and no RE classes, children of all ages are welcome to remain in the sanctuary. Following worship, kids can meet on the front steps to wait for Egg Hunt instructions.
  • Roots Summer Program! 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/

April Church Theme is “Joy”

  • 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:
  • Laughing exercise: Did you know that some people say pretending to cry and bending over at the same time triggers spontaneous laughter? Give it a try just for the fun of it!
    • Directions: Stand straight up, as you are able, then bend all the way down to the floor, pretending to cry loudly the whole way. Then come back up slowly. Most people will naturally begin laughing as they rise. Do it a couple times to try to experience it.
  • Jokes for the whole family: Jokes can help people laugh together and create joy. Try some of these.
  • Body percussion: Follow along to one of these fun videos to embody music joyfully:
  • Emotions dance party: Music and movement can help us process and feel all kinds of emotion. Try to think of a song that represents a specific emotion. Put the song on and move your body however the music makes you feel. Try a different emotion with a song that seems to match that emotion. Notice how you feel after each one. End with a high energy joyful song and take that joy into your next activity!
  • Books/stories relevant to this month: Read or watch videos of these stories…
  • April Shared Plate Organization

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

It’s Flung Rev. Scott Tayler

Joy doesn’t simply arise 

It flies.
It flings.
No, it is flung.

It is passed,
it is spread,
between you and me,
between the one who just received a gift
and the one that has been looking for it,
for oh so long.
It’s a beautiful and elegant contagion,
over which we have more control than we know. If only we share it.
If only we notice that joy is not ours to keep,
but ours to pass on.
So let’s light up the world, friends!
Joy blesses us with its exuberance,
so we can make that blessing grow.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2024-2025 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, March 30th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon sffered by Sheila Shea
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • 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, with Mentors
    • Senior Youth trip to UUUM in Roxbury, be at church by 11am, return around 6:00p
  • Sunday, April 6th:
    • Music Sunday! Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Jonny
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • 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, no Mentors.
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, April 13th:
    • 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 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4-5:30, Milk Classroom. Final class, parents please join us 5:00-5:30!
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:15a at 73 Court St, With Mentors.
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
    • Parents of Trans/NB Youth/YA Support Group 11:30-12:30 Carson Parlor
  • Friday, April 18th:
    • Sparks & Flames Movie and Sundaes Night, 7-9p. For all 5th-8th graders. Please RSVP by 5pm Weds 4/16 for details!
  • Saturday, April 19th:
    • Families Tuugether, free babysitting night for families! 5-8pm, must RSVP: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, April 20th:
    • Multigenerational Easter Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
    • Traditional egg hunt after worship! In church yard, weather permitting (indoors if raining)
    • Nursery will not be staffed, families may use the space with parental supervision.
    • RE classes will not meet today
  • Sunday, April 27th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Ritual of Return with Kirsten!
    • 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, no Mentors
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-6:00 for book discussion at Main church building
  • Friday, May 2nd-Sun May 4th:
    • Coming of Age Wilderness Retreat!
  • Sunday, May 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Matt Meyer
    • 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 class will not meet (end of Wilderness Retreat)
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

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