September ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

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Time For All Ages, Summer ’24

Hello, South Church Families! It’s a time of year for big energy shifts for many of us; the new church year is at our doorstep, and a lot of kids are heading back to school. Schedules fill in quickly, alarm clocks go off too early in the morning, and backpacks get loaded up with fresh school supplies. To those of you who are in it, I’m sending you Love and wishes for grounding and times of rest through the transitions.

As we begin the new church year, I want to make sure you have easy access to all the details of what we have in store for babies, children, youth, and families! Watch for more regular RE emails through the program year, with current info. Visit this page for the full calendar. And please, please reach out if you are wondering about anything or can’t find the info you need.

For now, here’s a list of some things coming up:

  • Water Ingathering Sept 8th: This is our traditional kickoff for the new church year. Everyone is encouraged to bring a little water from a favorite destination or from your home tap, to add to the sacred community water we use in ceremonies. And if you forget to bring water, it’s not a problem! This year, we also have a theme “The Practice of Invitation” and are suggesting that 9/8 is a perfect day to bring a friend! Anyone of any age is encouraged to invite someone who you feel would enjoy checking out our community.
  • Multigenerational (Multigen) Worship: We will have Multigen Worship days approximately once per month. On those days, children and youth stay in the sanctuary and there are no RE classes for grades 7 and younger. This is an important way for all of us to deepen community and to raise kids who know what it feels like to worship together. More on Multigen Worship HERE. The first Multigen Worship will be the Water Ingathering service on 9/8!
  • RE Registration: We ask families to register their kids (babies through high school) every year. The purpose of this is to make sure we have all updated information and everything we need to give our kids a safe, engaging, and positive experience at church and in our Religious Education spaces. Registering does not require regular participation or attending! Please register HERE as soon as you are able, or ask us for a paper form.
  • Some Important Dates To Know:
    • 9/1(Su) Final summer session all-ages RE gathering during worship (following TFAA)
    • 9/8(Su) No RE classes because of multigen Water Ingathering
    • 9/15(Su) Our regular program year for PreK-7th Grade will begin! Parents are invited to RE Open Houses in the Young Church classrooms as soon as worship ends on 9/15 and 9/22. Stop by when worship is over, to check out the classrooms, plus learn about curricula, objectives, and schedules. It’s also a great time to ask questions!
    • 9/18(W) Parent orientation for 7th grade OWL, 6:30-8pm
    • 9/19(Th) Orientation for 8th Graders and their parents/caregivers for Coming of Age Program, 6:30-8pm
    • 9/20(F) Sparks & Flames Game Night for all kids in grades 5-8! Must RSVP by 9/19: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
    • 9/28(Sa) Families Tuugether! Parent connection time and free date night. RSVP by 9/26, info HERE.
    • 9/29(Su) Senior Youth (high school) welcome/welcome back meeting, 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

September Church Theme is “The Practice of Invitation”

  • Book/story suggestions for this month: Read or watch videos of these stories…
    • “Higgins, A Drop With a Dream”: This wisdom story is available on the UUA website: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/higgins
    • “Mushroom In the Rain” by Mirra Ginsburg: Video or book An ant takes shelter from the rain under a small mushroom. Soon other animals want to stay dry under the mushroom too but how will they all fit?
    • “We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom: Video or book Inspired by Indigenous activism, the link to the book website also has a free family activity packet for taking action to protect water.
  • Water Ingathering 9/8: Don’t forget to bring water from your favorite places or from home, to add to the water collection ceremony. The water collected is used throughout the year in our community’s blessings and rituals.
  • Spiritual Decathlon: This is an exciting adventure open to people of all ages! Rolling out at Water Ingathering, this will be a fun invitation to various kinds of spiritual practice each month. Read more HERE, and watch for it at church.
  • Invite a Friend To Church: In honor of our “Practice of Invitation” church theme this month, consider asking someone you know if they’d like to join you for worship! It can be awkward to talk about church with people who don’t belong to a congregation, but at the same time, we all know folks who we think would really like South Church. Any time is good to bring friends, and September 8th is an exceptionally good day for it; that is Water Ingathering (kickoff to the new church year) and we are encouraging visitors. So your friends won’t be the only new people there 🙂
  • September Shared Plate Organization: South Church Immigrant Support Fund. 

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:
Invitation, by Shel Silverstein

If you are a dreamer, come in
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
If you’re a pretender, come sit by the fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!

Late Summer nUUs from Religious Education

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Summer socializing after worship

Hi Families,

We hope your summer has been fun and adventurous and restful and that you are still squeezing plenty of goodness out of what remains of the season!

What’s been going on:

Our Sunday morning RE sessions have been ridiculously sweet times of connection and fun. We’ve had several volunteer guests who have brought great activities like: Nature journaling; Pride ally art; games; giant bubbles; sea shell exploration; and wool felting. It’s been a lovely, relaxed, all-ages program. Our Nursery staff often brings our tiniest people out to join the fun, too. 

What’s ahead:

We will continue this summer model through Labor Day, and then our community will kick off the new church year with an all-ages Water Ingathering worship on September 8th. On that day, everyone is invited to bring a small amount of water, sourced from wherever you’d like. Following tradition, we will combine all of the water contributions, for use in special ceremonies and rituals through the year. 

Following that 9/8 “opening day,” we will ease back into our awesome age-based Religious Education offerings, woohoo! 

A few highlights for this fall:

  • Information on what we offer for children and youth can be found by navigating from the Program Info page. I am always happy to share more information, hear your ideas, or help brainstorm other ways for kids and their parents to engage at church.
  • Special events that are especially family-friendly are listed here.
  • We need some adults in RE! Each child/youth program needs at least 4 adults to make up facilitator teams. You don’t need any teaching experience. We give all kinds of support. When we work together to find the right fit for you, it pays back far more than you put into it. Most commitments are less than 2 Sundays per month. Check out options here, and Contact JenDB asap to explore what your RE involvement could look like: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org, 603-956-5146
  • On average, we will have one multigenerational worship per month, with the first one being Water Ingathering on 9/8. Info and schedule for multigenerational worship days can be found here.

Summer Church Theme is “Creativity”

  • Book/story suggestions for this month: 
    • “The Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltsburg: This story encourages us to think of our mistakes as an opportunity to create something new.Online read aloud:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUUSxgVGQxk
    • The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections, by Amanda Blake Soule: This one isn’t a story, but more of a guide for caregivers to foster creativity in their families
    • “How To Teach Nature Journaling”, by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren. One of our awesome RE volunteers has been bringing activities from this book to summer Sunday RE and the kids have LOVED it. The book is available for purchase in print, or free PDF download. John Muir Laws’ website has so many other great resources, too!
  • August Shared Plate Organization: Cross Roads House. Cross Roads provides shelter and other helpful resources to unhoused people in the seacoast area. There are lots of ways to support this great organization:

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:
by poet butterflies rising

“let’s lose ourselves
in wild creativity and glow.
and burn and breathe at once in our skin.
out of our lungs.
pouring the aches from our chests.
with our wings wide open.”

June ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

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Coming of Age youth parading to a closing ceremony at their Wilderness Retreat

Happy Summer, Families!

We hope you’re planning some fun and relaxation over the next few months. In the RE world of South Church, we are wrapping up the regular program year, soon transitioning to our summer format. Sunday morning programs still happen through the summer months, but we move away from a structured curriculum and into living our values through play, connections, and letting our curiosity lead us. Kids of all ages are invited to gather after the Time For All Ages each week, and we will sometimes be outside, sometimes in the downstairs classroom. I love summer Sundays because it’s a time where 3 year olds through 17 year olds get to share sweet time together.

In VERY exciting news, we are offering a weeklong summer opportunity for kids that will run August 12th through 16th and registration is open now! Available to all kids ages 5 and up, including kids who don’t normally come to church (your kids can bring their friends!) It is a week full of games, challenges, activities, relationship building, and so much more. All of it is in line with UU values, but is not explicitly “church camp.” Program will run 9a-3p M-F, with optional before and after care. Sign up asap, and reach out right away if you have any questions or concerns. More info and sign up links: https://southchurch-uu-re.org/program-info/happy-hearts-summer-program/

Please be sure to come to church on June 2nd! We will have our annual all-ages Bridging worship, where we celebrate all kinds of transitions and accomplishments, complete with a procession through a rainbow balloon arch! Also happening that day at church: RE Volunteer appreciation breakfast, Used Book Sale (hosted by high school youth,) and a 200th birthday party lunch after worship, to celebrate this milestone of our beloved building.

On Sunday June 9th, our 8th grade Coming of Age participants will be hosting worship and sharing their faith statements. It is guaranteed to be a moving experience.

Looking forward to celebrating with everyone, and please be in touch any time!

June Church Theme is “Renewal”

  • Book/story suggestions for this month: Read or watch videos of these stories…
    • “The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag”: This story is all about how PRIDE month and the Rainbow Flag came to be in 1978. It’s about the first time when the Rainbow Flag was used and how it represented hopes for acceptance of diversity. There’s a sad part, too. Harvey Milk was murdered. But his memory and Rainbow Flag lives on, and we use it today.
      Online Video read by the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rva1UOHX4w
    • “It Could Be Worse” a Jewish folktale: https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/home/session4/60031.shtml
    • Renewing our love for all bodies
      • “Bodies Are Cool” by Tyler Feder. This is a story about all the ways that our bodies are awesome and cool. Video read-aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSwD7qArzz0
      • “Firebird” by Misty Copeland. This is a story about the dreams of a little girl to dance. It is based on Copeland’s experiences as the first African American woman to ever be principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Video reading by author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUZEaceZKc
  • June Shared Plate Organization: Gather. “NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.”
  • June is Pride Month! Check out the schedule for Portsmouth Pride events, June 22nd, including the Drag Brunch at Gather’s “Fill the Hall” mentioned above: https://www.seacoastoutright.org/portsmouth-pride

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:
by Katie Covey
“We gather the light of truth, the warmth of love, and the energy of action into our hearts.
Back into the world of do and say,
Carry it forward into the dawning day.”

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, June 2nd: Bridging Sunday!
    • All-ages Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. This is especially to celebrate all of our children and youth!
    • RE Volunteer appreciation breakfast 9:30-10:00 in church yard
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age rehearsal, after worship until 1:00 in the sanctuary
    • South Church 200th bday luncheon, offered by the Endowment Committee in the social hall after worship
    • Nursery is not staffed today; families may use the room if parents stay with their children
    • No RE classes today–everyone comes to Bridging! 
    • Senior Youth group will not meet this afternoon
  • Sunday, June 9th:
    • Coming of Age Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by 8th grade CoA participants!
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 5th grade meet downstairs following TFAA (6th & 7th graders should stay for worship) 
    • Senior Youth: go to CoA worship!
  • Sunday, June 16th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • All-ages summer RE time will meet downstairs following TFAA
  • Sunday, June 23rd: 
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Special Pride worship
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • All-ages summer RE time will meet downstairs following TFAA
  • Sunday, June 30th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Tom Barry
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • All-ages summer RE time will meet downstairs following TFAA

May ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

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South Church kids sharing their warm drink wisdom during social hour

You’ve got this.

This time of year tends to be overfilled with events and activities for most families. A lot of kids are stressed with the overwhelm of activity, homework, sports, tests, field trips, performances, and more. Most of us parents miss notices or emails and forget about several things we were supposed to do and we tend to be hard on ourselves for it.

Even church, which is supposed to be a place of support and comfort, may feel like it’s adding to your stress load, as we approach Bridging, Coming of Age events, OWL wrap up, and as volunteer needs continue. Let’s agree to stay plugged in, see things through to an end that we feel good about, and also to offer each other support, reminders, and grace. Can we agree to be gentle on ourselves and to keep joy relevant?

We will celebrate in wonderful ways at Bridging on June 2nd, at CoA worship (a much-loved tradition) on June 9th, and throughout the summer. Our culture often tells us to cut the joyful and enriching parts of life when things are busy, insinuating that they are less important than the work of getting other things done. But reflection, joy, and celebration are critical. They are no less important than anything else we are obligated to, and doing them in community can sustain us through the slog of the serious parts.

You’ve got this. We’ve got this. We’ll play and celebrate very soon, together.

❤️

May Church Theme is “Pluralism”

  • South Church Coffee House: South Church Social Hall, Saturday May 4th 7:30pm. Come witness the plurality of musical talent and style at this sweet community event for all ages! Children, youth, and adults with musical skills are also encouraged to perform–contact Mary at Mary.Banach@unh.edu
  • Visit another house of worship As UUs we honor pluralism and the many gifts of diversity. Visiting other religious communities helps us know ourselves and each other better. We often realize in these experiences both that we are unique and that we also share commonality with others. This goes for visiting communities of other religions, as well as visiting other UU congregations–which are often very different from one another.
  • Books/stories with a pluralism message: Read or watch videos of these stories…
    • A Tale of Two Beasts, book by Fiona Richardson (video)
    • The Pear Tree Story, a wisdom tale (text here)
    • Each Kindness, book by Jacqueline Woodson (video)
  • May Shared Plate Organization: NAMI NH. “NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.”

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

We Unite in Our Differences…
by Rev. David Breeden

We unite in our differences in background & belief;
We unite—with gratitude and hope:
Hope for a world of differences;
Hope for a world that honors difference;
We unite in community
With gratitude for difference.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Friday, May 3rd-Fri May 5th:
    • Senior Youth camping trip at Pawtuckaway
  • Saturday, May 4th:
    • South Church Coffee House, 7:30pm in the social hall. Open to all ages!
  • Sunday, May 5th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Mary Katherine Morn
    • 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 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth group will not meet in afternoon because of camping trip
  • Sunday, May 12th:
    • Mother’s Day Plant Sale after worship, to support Senior Youth learning trip
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by adult learning journey participants
    • 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 does not meet today
    • 7th Grade OWL meets for last session, 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom. Parents, please join us 5-5:30
  • Sunday, May 19th:
    • 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 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, with Mentors
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at Court St
  • Friday, May 24th-Sun May 26th
    • 8th grade Coming of Age Wilderness Retreat
  • Sunday, May 26th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Deirdre McEachern
    • 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 and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
  • Sunday, June 2nd: Bridging Sunday!
    • Multigenerational Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Special Bridging service, celebrating our children, youth, and emerging adults
    • Nursery is not staffed today but is available to families, parents must stay
    • No RE classes today–children and youth remain in the sanctuary
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age rehearsal after worship until 1:00
    • Senior Youth does not meet today–come to worship!
  • Sunday, June 9th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Coming of Age youth!
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA

April ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

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Seeing the world through different lenses, Young Church 3/10/24

On March Sundays, kids in grades 5 through 7 helped prepare for the Easter Egg hunt. They brainstormed and made items that connect to our UU values, and they filled a total of about 500 eggs! It was such a fun bonding time, and it generated some great conversations. We will continue this project-based learning with a large-scale book project beginning April 7th. We will gather all of the kids’ books from all of the corners of the church that they have migrated to, then we will sort, assess, and organize. Finally, we will come up with some creative ways for South Church kids and families to interact with our books, in connection with monthly themes and UU identity. 5th-7th graders will start in the sanctuary and then they will meet downstairs after the TFAA as usual.

Our multigenerational worship day this month will be on Sunday 4/21. On that day and any Sunday, check out the Soul Work materials that kids and adults can use during worship. There are lots of supplies available for everyone to use, which we update often, and most help deepen learning around the monthly themes and UU identity.

Come to church early on April 7th for a delicious Pancake Breakfast! Hosted by our high school youth to support their upcoming learning journey to New Mexico. Suggested donation: $5. They will have pancakes (regular and GF), bacon, sausage, fruit, juice, and coffee. This is a great opportunity for families with younger kids to ask our high school youth what they do in youth group, where they’re going, and why! Children can get a sense of what they can look forward to as they grow up at South Church. If you would like to donate supplies, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AADA728A2FDC70-48776489-south#/

We are working on creating opportunities for parents to build community with each other. At Muffin Mingle in March, there was a small group of young child families who expressed interest in more of these kinds of engagement, while acknowledging the challenges of scheduling. Your input would be helpful, so please take a few minutes to fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/ReE4v1HnhgjvoKXn8

See you soon! Much Love,

💜JenDB

April Church Theme is “Interdependence”

  • Climate Justice Month is March 22nd through April 20th
  • April 2nd: Trans Day of Visibility Event— There will be an all-ages online event, hosted by UPLIFT, a UU Transgender and Non-Binary group at 8pm ET. Free and open to all. Info and registration link here: https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/blog/trans-day-visibility-2024
  • Our Shared Plate program gives half of the Sunday offertory to a different organization each month, which the congregation votes on in February. South Church RE kids also get to choose one organization per year to receive the Shared Plate funds for a month, and we are doing that now! We are learning about 4 different organizations that had been suggested in the nomination process, and each South Church kid gets one vote per week. We will announce our choice at the end of the month. You can also explore these organizations together at home, plus there are ways your family can interact with each of the organizations in the following ways:
    • 350 New Hampshire. From their website: “350NH works to stop the climate crisis by building grassroots support for a just transition to renewable energy and an end to fossil fuel use and expansion. Our goals are to promote the use of clean and renewable energy sources and to phase out polluting and non-renewable energy sources.”
    • Dover Children’s Home. From their website: “We provide tools and support for youth to heal from emotional trauma through community-based treatment programs that foster relationships and enable youth to create hope for the future.”
    • Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). “Advances human rights and social justice around the world. Our work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity.” A UU organization that is focused on social justice work.
    • Seacoast Family Promise. “Our Mission is to empower families with children who are experiencing homelessness to achieve lasting self sufficiency through a community-based approach.”

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

We Are One, by Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel
We are one.
We are family.
We are connected.
By Blood and Bone. Mind and heart. And sometimes Bricks and Mortar.
Like the finest woven tapestries of old and the spices blended and stirred into our family’s secret recipes,
our lives are intentionally intertwined.
And we are made, no, we are fashioned into a stronger community by those connections.
This interlacing, intertwining, and intermingling of our existence makes each of us whole.
This interlacing of our lives, makes us whole.
Happiness and Sorrow.

This intertwining of our lives, makes us whole.
Blessings and Burdens
This intermingling of our lives, makes us whole.
Lament and Laughter.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, March 31st:
    • Multigenerational Easter Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • Easter Egg Hunt following worship! Bring a basket to collect eggs in 🙂
    • Nursery is not staffed today, but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • Kids attend full worship today, no RE classes
    • 7th Grade OWL, 8th Grade CoA, and High School Youth Group do not meet today.
  • Friday, April 5th:
    • Sparks and Flames game night, 7-9pm! More info and rsvp: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, April 7th:
    • Pancake Breakfast! Open to all 8:30a-10am, Fundraiser for Youth Group Learning Journey
    • 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 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at CHURCH this week, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • OWL 7 Parent Discussion 4:00-5:30 in Sanctuary
    • Senior Youth group does not meet this afternoon
  • Sunday, April 14th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by 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 and 7th Grade OWL do not meet today
    • Senior Youth meets for Learning Journey Session 4, 4:00 at Court St
  • Sunday, April 21st:
    • Multigenerational Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest Rev Lara Campbell
    • Prepared Meals Sale during social hour, a fundraiser for Youth Learning Journey
    • Nursery is not staffed today, but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • Kids attend full worship today, no RE classes
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age, 7th Grade OWL, and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
  • Sunday, April 28th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest Rev Erica Hewitt
    • 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 9:45-11:00 with mentors, at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Friday, May 3rd-Sunday, May 5th
    • Senior Youth camping trip!
  • Sunday, May 5th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest Rev Mary Katherine Morn
    • 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 9:45-11:00 with mentors, at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth does not meet today

March ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

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Youth-Led Worship, 2/4/24

Our high school youth group led a remarkable service on the first Sunday in February. They were articulate, playful, wise, and creative. They leaned into their discomfort in so many ways, each toward personal growth: Sharing deeply personal stories; speaking into microphones in front of a large congregation; making music; showing us the world through their eyes, as it is and how they want it to be. All of this speaks to the qualities of the community they have been growing up in at South Church. To feel supported in being their true selves means they trust us enough to say out loud what is real for them. This happens in the Religious Education programs throughout their first 18 years, but it also happens in the interactions they have with every one of us. Look at this picture at how the younger kids are receiving what the teens are offering. Imagine the ways this is mentoring them.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard South Church teens say that this is the only place where they don’t feel like they have to try to be anything other than who they are. What a gift we all are to each other in this way, and I hope adults feel this freedom and encouragement toward authenticity, too.

This month the church theme is “Transformation.” Downstairs in RE, we will explore ideas like when we learn and grow as individuals, communities, and in our UU faith, our beliefs and understanding transform also; how learning to see the world through many lenses transforms us; and how using tools to center ourselves and to listen to what’s inside us can transform how we live our lives every day.

There will be a special project opportunity for kids in grades 5 through 7 during RE time this month! They should go downstairs with kids during the TFAA, and we will let them know what to do if they would like to participate outside of the RE classroom. It is connected to a surprise that will come at the end of the month 😉

Our multigenerational worship day this month will be on Easter, 3/31. It will be a special time created with all ages in mind, followed by our traditional Easter Egg hunt! Bring a basket if you have one, and we will have some to borrow if you don’t.

Muffin Mingle is an opportunity for parents of young children to get to know each other. Come to church at 9am on Sunday March 3rd, for a time to connect with each other before worship! We will provide childcare, plus food for parents and kids. Intended for families with elementary-aged and younger children and babies, but those guidelines are flexible. If you love the idea of an event for parents to be in community but can’t make it to this, then please reach out so we can chat about what might work for your family: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org or (603)956-5146

Our youth in grades 6 through 12 have been invited to a UU youth day conference with peers in Nashua, NH at the UU church there! It will be a super fun day with opportunities for games, art, music, meeting new friends, conversations, and more. It’s coming up fast, on Saturday March 9th. You can find all details and register HERE. If there are interested youth who need help getting there, physically or financially, then please reach out to JenDB or Kirsten right away so we can try to help.

See you soon! Much Love,

💜JenDB

March Church Theme is “Transformation”

  • Birds of Gaza art project: This can help families hold or process together the knowledge that children are dying in Gaza. A beautiful tribute to their lives, you can make birds in honor of specific children. Submit to the online gallery, then hang them up at home, or bring them to church and we will display them for our community.
  • World Water Day is March 22nd. A few ways to observe:
  • One element to raising social justice-oriented kids is exposing them to many different cultures. There are a LOT of different religious holidays in March. Explore and learn about some of them together, through resources gathered by Soul Matters:
  • Our Shared Plate program gives half of the Sunday offertory to a different organization each month, which the congregation votes on in February. The Shared Plate recipient for March is the Joan G Lovering Health Center. This is a great opportunity to talk with kids who are in OWL or who have taken OWL in the past, about this organization whose “passion [is] to honor, respect, and advocate for the right of everyone to maintain freedom and choices regarding their own sexual and reproductive health.” It’s valuable to point our examples of where our UU values can also be found outside of church, like in some organizations such as Lovering Health Center.

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

Why We’re Here, By Erik Walker Wikstrom

May we listen so that we can hear;
May we hear so that we can feel;
May we feel so that we can know; and
May we know so that we can change ourselves and this world.
May this chalice we light,
Light our Way.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Friday, March 1st:
    • Sparks and Flames bowling, 7pm! More info and rsvp: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, March 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
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 10th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest Jim Scott
    • 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 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meet for Learning Journey Session 3, 4:00 in Social Hall
  • Sunday, March 17th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by 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 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 24th:
    • 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
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 with mentors, at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, March 31st:
    • Multigenerational Easter Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube.
    • Easter Egg Hunt following worship! Bring a basket to collect eggs in.
    • Nursery is not staffed today, but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • Kids attend full worship today, no RE classes
    • 7th Grade OWL, 8th Grade CoA, and High School Youth Group do not meet today.
  • Friday, April 5th:
    • Sparks & Flames Social Group for Grades 5-8, 7:00-9:00p RSVP to JenDB
  • Sunday, April 7th:
    • Pancake Breakfast! 8:30am-10am (before worship). Fundraiser for Senior Youth Learning Journey
    • 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 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at church–Interview Your Mentor over pancakes!
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • OWL Parent Discussion 4:00-5:30 in Sanctuary
    • Senior Youth does not meet this evening–come to Pancake Breakfast

Feb ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Pastoral Associates Carlo and Greg visited RE on 1/21 for a special community Love project

The last Sunday in January was a special kind of day at church. We had a multigenerational worship that was full and fun and a sweet community event. Then we had the annual congregational meeting, where church members heard about relevant elements from the past year and then voted on bylaw changes and the proposed budget for 2024. Congregational polity and this democratic process make up a pretty unique part of Unitarian Universalism that set our faith apart form most religions and which require active participation of our members to continue the growth and authenticity of our community.

Multigenerational worship days are important because they give kids experience as they grow up of what it feels like and how to “do” worship. We want to make sure that once they are done with their RE careers, they have the familiarity with, and hopefully even a love for, worship in community. Multigenerational times also benefit the adults of our church, to be connected to and inspired by people of all ages. Not to mention, it helps reminds us to keep our church spaces accessible to as many kinds of people as we can. Our next multigen worship will be on February 25th.

To support kids and adults of all ages with feeling grounded in the sanctuary, we have materials available for anyone to use during worship. “Soul Work” is a term coined by a longtime UU educator named Joy Berry, who has extensively studied research on the effects of various kinds of handwork on our brain function and wellness. Here is an article that helps explain how handwork like knitting, drawing, and other activities can help us with mindfulness, memory formation and recall, relaxation, and more.

At the back of the sanctuary you will find our Soul Work station. Most of the materials are connected to the monthly church themes and/or building UU identity. They are curated to help embody what is going on at church and to help us all to be present. So parents and other adults–check out and use the Soul Work materials! Most of the kids already know where to find them. Please help to keep the area neat, and return items to the refresh basket so they can be restored for the next person. Anything you make can go home with you or left to maybe be displayed in a little Soul Work gallery, coming later.

AND, if you have ideas of things you’d like to see in our Soul Work supplies, let me know!

Kids in our Young Church RE room downstairs spent January interacting with the church theme of Liberating Love. They had a visit from Pastoral Associates, who told them about the ways that they provide loving care to our church people when they are facing challenges, and that this support will always be available to them through their lives. The kids were then invited to create love-themed cards that the PAs will use when they write cards to people. There was also a session where the kids heard a story about a character (Piglet, a friend of JET PIG) who was liberated from their fear through the patient love of their friends. They will now turn to the February theme, Justice & Equity, which are 2 more of the new proposed UU values that will be formally adopted this year.

High school youth have been working to prepare the worship that they will offer us on February 4th. (RE classes will meet as usual that day.)

Coming of Age (8th grade) has been exploring UU History and big topics like Good & Evil. OWL sexuality education for 5th grade will finish this month, and 7th grade OWL passed the halfway point of their comprehensive program. There will be an OWL Parent Discussion opportunity on Sunday February 4th, 4-5:30 in the sanctuary. This has typically been for the parents of kids in the 7th grade class, but parents of the 5th grade class are welcome to attend too.

Last but in no way least, we have a new opportunity–Muffin Mingle–for parents of younger children to gather and connect, coming up on the first Sunday in March–3/3. Families with elementary, preschool, and nursery-aged children are invited to come to church before worship, at 9am, for breakfast. We will provide childcare and space for parents to be together, as well as simple breakfast foods for adults and kids. If your child still needs you near then they can certainly stay with you. The goal is to support you in getting to know other parents of young kids at church. Feel free to invite anyone who hasn’t been to church yet, too!

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Much Love,

💜JenDB

February’s Church Theme is “Justice & Equity”

  • Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 11-17. Of course, we can practice random acts of kindness every day, and here are some ideas for how: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
  • One element to raising social justice-oriented kids is exposing them to many different cultures. That can be tricky for young families in NH, but here are a few easy-reach ideas for everyday multicultural experiences:
    • Prepare foods from different countries. Here are some easy examples: https://tinybeans.com/ethnic-foods-your-kids-need-to-try-at-least-once/
    • Visit an art museum and focus on art from specific countries or from artists of various races and ethnicities.
    • Choose a “language of the week” and learn a few basic words together, being sure to use them together whenever you can for the week–make a game of it by keeping points for each time someone remembers to use a word from the language for that week.
  • NH Racial Unity Team is doing equity work in New Hampshire. Children, youth and adults can enter an original poem or art work in the “Belonging” art & poetry challenge: https://racialunityteam.com/art-and-poetry-challenge

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

By Mary Ann Moore

We light this chalice for the light of truth.
We light this chalice for the warmth of love.
We light this chalice for the energy of action.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Friday, February 2nd:
    • Sparks and Flames Movie Night and Snackfest, 7:00-9:00pm! More info and rsvp: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Saturday, February 3rd:
    • Senior Youth overnight
  • Sunday, February 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Offered by Senior Youth Group
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth does not meet this evening
  • Sunday, February 11th:
    • 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 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age and 7th grade OWL do NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, February 18th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 8th Grade CoA and 7th Grade OWL do NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, February 25th:
    • Multigen Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
    • Nursery is not staffed today, but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • Kids stay in worship today, no RE classes
    • 7th Grade OWL, 8th Grade CoA, and Senior Youth Group do NOT meet today
  • Friday, March 1st:
    • Sparks and Flames bowling, 7pm! More info and rsvp: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, March 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
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

Jan ’24 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Happy New Year!

Hope you all have had moments of joy, rest, and connection over the holiday weeks.

Here’s a little recap of the first few months of the ’23/’24 church year in Religious Education:

  • Periodic multigenerational worship days, where kids stay in the sanctuary for the duration, are intended to create all-ages community time and to have kids grow up knowing how to be comfortable in and benefit from worship.
  • Nursery is open on most Sundays, except for multigenerational worship days. Susan and Maisy have made a safe and welcoming little space for our youngest people. It is also a place to practice for littles who are to yet comfortable leaving their parents; we will support that transition, following the parents’ lead.
  • Kids who are in Pre-K through 7th grade are learning about the Article II Commissions proposed changes to our UU principles/values. They are learning what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, through explorative discussion, stories, play, and other hands-on activities. So far, with the help of JET PIG, they have explored a bit about our UU heritage and Generosity, with Love coming up for the month of January.
  • 8th grade Coming of Age had a weekend retreat, the youth are matched with adult mentors, and they meet weekly to explore topics about their own values and beliefs within a UU context.
  • Senior Youth Group (high school) is exploring Indigenous history, justice, and wisdom. They are also fundraising for their June 2024 trip to New Mexico, as a learning journey connected to these topics.
  • 5th and 7th Grade OWL sexuality education classes are well underway, the groups have built trust and some confidence in talking about sexuality topics.

We are bringing back Sparks and Flames social gatherings for all kids in grades 5 through 8, with an ice skating event at Strawbery Banke on Friday evening, January 5th! Please RSVP by Weds 1/3 to let me know and to get information on tickets: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org. I will need one parent from the group to volunteer as co-chaperone, so let me know if you can help!

January’s Church Theme is “Liberating Love”

  • Love is at the center of the Article II proposed values. Try some of these activities to connect to this theme and our UU identity:
    • Make a poster/painting/art work of the Article II values to hang in your home, so that your family can have a visual reminder of who we are trying to be as UUs. Here is the full report, and you can find an image of the 7 values as inspiration for your art on page 20.
    • Visit the African Burying Ground, located between Court St and State St, between our main church building and the meetinghouse. On the winding trail that has the engraved quotes, choose words that feel connected to what it means to be a UU. Make a rubbing of one or more of those words and bring them to church, where we will display them all together as art on our RE bulletin board.
    • Participate in Side With Love’s annual “30 Days of Love” from Jan 15th-Feb 14th. There are all kinds of activities and resources for all ages!

Chalice Lighting For Meal Times:

The Flames of Love, by Rev. Kimi Floyd Reisch

We light the flame of commitment,
To stand with and work to create change,
Until all know they are beloved.

We light the flame of survival,
Grateful for our lives, 
Remembering in love those lost along the road.

We light the flame of change,
Committing to recenter toward love,
In hearts, in minds, in our world.

Click Linked Items for additional Details

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, December 31st:
    • Worship at 10:00a. Offered by WAs Willow and Bret
    • Nursery is not staffed today, but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • No RE classes today
    • Chili Sale! Fundraising event by Senior Youth, open to all, 5-7 pm. If you would like to donate a crockpot of chili, drop off begins at 4pm.
  • Friday, January 5th:
    • Sparks and Flames ice skating! More info and rsvp: jendeldeo@southchurch-uu.org
  • Sunday, January 7th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Kirsten
    • Nursery is staffed and open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-6:00pm at 73 Court St for Learning Journey session 2
  • Sunday, January 14th:
    • 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 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age and 7th grade OWL do NOT meet today
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30p at 73 Court St for worship planning
  • Sunday, January 21st:
    • 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 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St for worship planning
  • Sunday, January 28th:
    • Multigen Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
    • Nursery is not staffed but families may use the room with parent supervision
    • Kids stay in worship today, except for 5th grade OWL and CoA participants
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 9:30-11:15 for final class, Meditation Room; parents join at 10:45
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 with mentors, at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
      • OWL parent discussion group 4-5:30 in sanctuary
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St for worship planning
    • South Church Annual Meeting, after worship, childcare provided.
  • Saturday, February 3rd:
    • High School Youth Group overnight, for worship prep
  • Sunday, February 4th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by High School Youth Group!
    • 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 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • No Senior Youth meeting this evening
  • Sunday, February 11th:
    • 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 
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St

Dec ’23 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Hello, Dear South Church Families!

There are lots of opportunities for connection and fun this month. Please put these special events on your calendars:

Friday, December 1st: Holiday party/potluck/silent auction and decorating! This is a really fun family event, with music and food, and there will be a crew decorating our beautiful sanctuary for the holiday season.

Sunday, December 10th: Kids’ Holiday Market! All children, youth, teens are invited to shop for their loved ones at no cost after church on 12/10. They can choose gifts and have help with wrapping too! And this is open to kids who don’t come to church–bring friends!

Sunday, December 17th: Pageant Day! This pick-up style Christmas pageant is a much beloved South Church tradition. Everyone is invited to participate, just show up to worship that morning!

Sunday, December 17th: Dog Treats Sale! Our Young Church kids have been exploring ideas around Generosity all month. As a culmination, they are making adorable and delicious dog treats to sell, as a way that they can contribute to the working of our church. Sale will be by donation, cash only, and will benefit the annual budget.

Sunday, December 31st: New Year’s Eve Chili Sale! Join the South Church Senior Youth on New Year’s Eve for their annual Chili and Cornbread sale! Warm up with a delicious bowl of chili and a side of cornbread and enjoy the company of many South Church friends! All proceeds will go towards the Senior Youth Service Learning trip this coming summer. Chili will be served from 5pm-7pm, First Night fireworks will begin at 7:30pm, You can also purchase chili-to-go! 

Would you like to donate your own delicious chili or cornbread?! This sale is always a community wide effort! Vegetarian chili, white chili, chili with beans, chili without beans….Donation drop-off begins at 4pm on New Year’s Day at South Church (or by appointment)! 
Contact Kirsten with questions or to donate! 

I will be out on medical leave for the month of December, beginning Fri 12/1. If you have any RE questions or needs during that time, please reach out to Kirsten Hunter: kirsten@southchurch-uu.org.

Sending you so much Love, and see you in the New Year!

JenDB ❤️

All Families: If you haven’t yet, please register babies, children and youth for this church year! We need a new RE registration completed by each family every program year, so that we always have current information that keeps everyone safe and well-served. It only takes a few minutes. Please register, even if you only attend occasionally–registration does not come with any obligations.

 https://southchurchuu.wufoo.com/forms/k60588f1mfaort/ or contact us if you need a paper form.

You can access information for age-based religious education classes from the “Program Info” menu above. Parents, if you have a kid who does not want to be in a peer group during worship, then that is not unusual and not a problem! There are many ways to be at church, and we are happy to explore options with you any time.

Please, please reach out if you ever have things you want to know or talk about!

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Friday, December 1st:
    • South Church Holiday Party, Silent Auction, and Hanging of the Greens! Decorating at 4:30, potluck dinner, party and auction at 5. This is a great family event!
  • Sunday, December 3rd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, Dec 10th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Children’s Holiday Market! All kids of all ages are invited to shop for gifts for their families, for free, during Social Hour.
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth Group meets 4:00-5:30 at 73 Court St
  • Sunday, Dec 17th:
    • PAGEANT DAY! Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. This is a Multigenerational worship, children stay in the sanctuary. This is a pick-up style pageant, all are welcome to participate
    • Dog Treats Sale by Young Church RE kids! At Social Hour, cash only
    • Nursery is closed today–babies and toddlers stay in the sanctuary for pageant
    • No RE this morning
    • 5th Grade OWL does NOT meet
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age does NOT meet
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
  • Sunday, December 24th:
    • Morning worship at 10:00a, in person only. Offered by WAs Chris, Veda, and Bret
    • Nursery is closed today, and no RE classes
    • Coming of Age, 5th & 7th grade OWL, and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
    • Christmas Eve worship services 5pm and 8pm. Live stream on YouTube for 8pm only.
  • Sunday, December 31st:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube, offered by WAs Willow and Bret
    • Nursery is closed today, and no RE classes
    • Coming of Age, 5th & 7th grade OWL, and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
    • New Year’s Eve Chili Sale!! Fundraiser held by Senior Youth Group, 5-7pm

December’s Church Theme is “Mystery”

Our UU faith in practice and action: Ideas for living our faith outside of church

  • As UUs we say that something that inspires our spirituality is transcending Mystery and wonder. At a shared meal, discuss these questions:
    • How does it feel for you when you have to sit with a question that you don’t have a clear answer to?
    • How can we make space to listen to our hearts in the presence of Mystery? What is your favorite way to listen to your heart?
    • If there was one mystery you could have solved, what would it be?
  • Our shared plate this month is the Black Heritage Trail of NH. Here are some ways to interact or support BHTNH:
  • Participate in our annual Christmas pageant! The roots of our faith come from Christianity, and we still find inspiration by occasionally exploring Jesus’s teachings. You can participate in a telling of one of the parables on 12/17 during worship. This is a pick-up style pageant, so just show up on 12/17 to participate. If you would like to help with costume or prop prep in advance, then contact Kirsten asap: kirsten@southchurch-uu.org

Chalice Lighting for Meal Times: 

The Wonder All Around Us 

Rev. Scott Tayler

Think friends, of the sky,
of the stars that dance like fireworks overhead. Think of the trees, budding or bare,and the rivers and rain,
all a part of this living, breathing earth
that makes our living and breathing possible.
Think too, and look at, the faces that surround you; What a wonder it is that we don’t have to travel this world alone.
All of it is miracle. All of it is mystery.
All of it deserves our awe.
And so, may this light we now kindle
and this time we now share,
Illuminate the astonishing preciousness
of it all.

Nov ’23 nUUs from Religious Education

~ resouthchurchuu ~ Leave a comment

Evening worship at Senior Youth overnight.

Hello, Dear South Church Families!

We just had another multigenerational worship day on Sunday, October 29th. It felt so good to have people of every age together, at a time where there is so much grief to hold. It was cathartic and hopeful to be able to weave in beauty and joy, through music and story, as a salve to help us stay present to all that is terrible.

We are building more opportunities here and there to have all of our children and youth stay for worship. In the process of preparing for Rev Ellen and Kirsten’s Installation, we heard from several kids and adults that want more all-ages time together. Kids expressed a desire to know what adults are talking about in worship and to just be together; adults expressed the joy and inspiration they feel when in multigenerational spaces.

Having children and youth in the sanctuary also grows their understanding of how a community worships together, to feel the rhythm of religious ritual, and to feel like a valued part of a whole community. That matters for adults too, because we are not a whole community without them.

We still continue to have religious education programming for children and youth during worship on the majority of Sundays, to also give them time with their peers and opportunities to actively engage in their own faith development. The primary goals of our programs for children and youth are to build caring, supportive community among them; help them develop an understanding of what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and to grow into that identity; and to give them opportunities to tangibly act on our faith both inside our church community and out in the world.

Look at that picture above, of our high school youth in their own worship time on a recent overnight. The love you can sense in the photo is real. The longtime culture of growing up in this church, growing a community that cares for each other and supports each other in being exactly who they are, has over a long time created the sweetest space where even many newcomers can assimilate quickly and find enormous value in making meaning together through diving into deep topics, play, worship, and pastoral care with each other.

It’s worth the investment. Show up, engage, lean in to community. It pays off in really big ways.

We have a few helpful resources for parents to navigate conversations with their kids about gun violence. You can find them on this page. And if you are struggling in any way, please please contact us. We always want to hear from you.

Sending you so much Love,

JenDB and Kirsten ❤️

All Families: If you haven’t yet, please register babies, children and youth for this church year! We need a new RE registration completed by each family every program year, so that we always have current information that keeps everyone safe and well-served. It only takes a few minutes. Please register, even if you only attend occasionally–registration does not come with any obligations.

 https://southchurchuu.wufoo.com/forms/k60588f1mfaort/ or contact us if you need a paper form.

You can access information for age-based religious education classes from the “Program Info” menu above. Parents, if you have a kid who does not want to be in a peer group during worship, then that is not unusual and not a problem! There are many ways to be at church, and we are happy to explore options with you any time.

Please, please reach out if you ever have things you want to know or talk about!

See you soon! ♥️

Calendar for this month… 

Click Linked Items for additional Details:

Click here for 2023-2024 RE Program Information

  • Sunday, Nov 5th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by guest Rev Lara Campbell
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for PreK through 7th grade meet downstairs following Time For All Ages
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 1:00-4:00 in Social Hall for service project, with Mentors
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth Group meets at 4:00 at 73 Court St. We will join Moms Demand Action NH in a community vigil at North Church, followed by a walk across Memorial Bridge.
  • Sunday, Nov 12th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Rev Ellen
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 3:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth Group Learning Journey #1
  • Sunday, Nov 19th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Senior Youth Candle Sale at Social Hour!
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
  • Sunday, November 26th:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Jim Verscheuren
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • All-ages RE time will meet downstairs following the TFAA
    • Coming of Age, 5th & 7th grade OWL, and Senior Youth do NOT meet today
  • Friday, December 1st:
    • South Church Holiday Party and Hanging of the Greens
  • Sunday, December 3rd:
    • Worship at 10:00a, in person and live on YouTube. Sermon offered by Reverend Ellen
    • Nursery is open 9:30-11:30a
    • RE classes for Pre-K through 7th grade meet downstairs following TFAA 
    • 5th Grade OWL meets 10-11:30, Meditation Room
    • 8th Grade Coming of Age meets 9:45-11:00 at 73 Court St
    • 7th Grade OWL meets 4:00-5:30 in Milk Classroom
    • Senior Youth meets 4:00-5:30pm at 73 Court St

November’s Church Theme is “Generosity”

Our UU faith in practice and action: Ideas for living our faith outside of church

  • Generosity is one of the new proposed values from the Article II Commission.
    • When you go to the grocery store, buy food to drop off at Gather food pantry on the way home. Or sign up to volunteer your time with them. They will have a volunteer orientation on 11/30.
    • This month’s shared plate recipient is Seacoast Family Promise. Learn more about SFP from their website, and check out ways to volunteer or support SFP.
      • Early Nov: Sign up to donate a Thanksgiving meal (uncooked) to a family
    • Check out the Cross Roads House wish list and see if there’s anything you can provide to this important community organization: https://www.crossroadshouse.org/donations/wish-list/
    • Ways for families to be generous at church (some ideas from Soul Matters this month) This is a great list to show kids that they have the power and resources to be generous in many ways:
      • Picking up trash outside the building
      • Bringing a snack to share for social hour
      • Inviting a new family home to share lunch after church
      • Visiting a member of the congregation who is not well (or make and send a card)
      • Singing in the choir
      • Donating supplies for RE
      • Playing with a little one who is upset
      • Attending worship
      • Sitting with someone who is alone at worship
      • Putting money in the offertory plate during worship
      • Telling someone “thank you” for helping you
      • Decorating the Sanctuary for the holidays (Dec 1!)
      • Being a greeter or usher on Sunday morning
      • Playing with new friends after church
      • Helping put away RE supplies/cleaning up the classroom
      • Cleaning up in the kitchen after coffee hour or special events
      • Putting away tables and chairs
      • Showing someone new around the congregation

Chalice Lighting for mealtimes:

Invitation, by Shel Silverstein

If you are a dreamer, come in
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
If you’re a pretender, come sit by the fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!