We all have lots of superpowers, and all of them are important in building a thriving community

As we begin this year’s stewardship campaign, we’re thinking about all the ways we contribute to our church community—not just financially! What are your family’s superpowers, and how might you share them with our church community?

Every person brings something different to the life of South Church. Sometimes it’s a willingness to help, a creative idea, a listening ear, a joyful presence, or simply showing up and being part of things. Our community grows stronger when we make room for all the ways we can contribute, big and small.

October in RE: Courage, Connection, and Creativity

This month, we’re continuing to build micro communities in age groups through play, creation, conversation, stories, and shared experiences. We’re making spaces for children and youth to explore who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to show up in our congregation and the world.

A Story That Becomes Something Tangible

One of our wonderful RE volunteers, Emily, had a lovely idea for our upper elementary kids, and the project got underway this month! Inspired by The Story Rug by Sophie Blackall, the children began creating a shared project of their own.

After reading the book, they started ripping strips of fabric to braid together. When I popped into their room, I could hear the wonderfully satisfying rrrip, rrrip sounds before I even opened the door!

The project will stay in their room as they continue their conversations in the weeks ahead. Kids can braid intentions into the fabric, and perhaps, over time, it will grow into a rug of its own.

Families are invited to contribute fabric, especially pieces that hold a story for you! It might be a scrap from a favorite old shirt, a special blanket, or something else that carries a memory. We’d love to weave some of your family’s stories into this shared project. Please be conservative and discerning in your contributions so the group is not overwhelmed by volume 🙂

The Story Rug is a lovely, heartwarming book for all ages. You can watch Sophie Blackall read it aloud here.

• For Younger Kids: PBS Kids Talk About Courage and Bravery
• For Older Kids/Teens: Courageous Conversations poster for the fridge
• For Parents: Talk Heart 2 Heart, website with lots of resources for having hard conversations and building resilience

Remember, living our faith doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it looks like asking a brave question, welcoming someone who feels left out, listening with an open heart, or choosing to make things a little better for someone else.

• Get ready to VOTE! Teaching kids the value of voting helps them know how to consider their values in deciding action and gives them faith in using our voices to co-create community. Adults can get their ballot early to have time at home to show kids what a ballot looks like and you can research the candidates or topics together to show what thoughtful deliberation looks like. Or if you will vote in person, you can go as a family and make the day special!
• October Shared Plate Organization: Seacoast Family Promise. Seacoast Family Promise provides temporary housing, food, and shelter, to families through a structured journey utilizing trauma informed care, employment education and housing search, financial education, parenting and other effective tools leading families back to stability and the return to a place they can call home. South Church participates in supplying meals to the SFP families at certain weeks of the year. To find out how your family can help, reach out to southchurchsfpcoordinator@gmail.com