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…
- 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.”
- Explore this myth/fact NAMI resource as a family, to help end mental illness stigma: https://www.naminh.org/stigma/
- Practice some of these wellness tools together, and talk about which ones you each feel could be helpful in difficult moments. What other tools help you when you’re struggling? https://kidsmentalhealthfoundation.org/-/media/onoursleeves/thumbnails/happiness-builder-teaser.ashx
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
southchurch-uu-re.org 