Forming Faith (Page 7)
The regular column from Danielle Lewis, Director of Religious Education. Danielle may be reached by email at dre@ocuuc.org.
Exciting Calix Plans for the Rest of Summer
During the past month, OCUUC children and youth planted succulents on our church grounds, took a walking field trip to the park to learn Quidditch, had the opportunity to handle and learn about several types of reptiles and amphibians during a presentation by Jurassic Parties, and learned some self defense techniques thanks to volunteers from Karate for All. It’s been wonderful to have so many people from our church and larger community making a difference for our kids, and we…
Supporting Our Wonderful Children
I am so thrilled to be taking the reigns as your new Director of Religious Education. My first day was July 1st. Many of you have taken time to reach out to me in welcome, and I truly appreciate your support. For those of you I haven’t met yet, please find me on a Sunday morning (if I don’t find you first!) so that we can start getting to know one another. Our summer program is off to a great…
Farewell
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes; (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes; Oh, look out you rock n rollers Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes; (turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-changes; Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older Time may change me; But I can’t trace time I said that time may change me; But I can’t trace time -David Bowie Many songs and poems have been written about change. As we close out our Religious Education ‘regular’ class year, there will be some important changes happening on…
Talking With Children About Traumatic Events
How do we talk about traumatic events with our children? The Orlando shootings have the nation, and parts of the world, in an emotional and media upset. Our children can be extremely vulnerable at this time, and be unable to articulate their sadness and concerns. Here is some help on how to talk to the children and youth in your life. This Washington Post article has suggestions and talking points to help you with these conversations: “They [children and youth]…
Bridging Ceremony
The congregation celebrated the bridging into young-adulthood for three of our youth on May 22, 2016.
It’s Time for Summer Camp!
Dear RE Community- It’s almost time for summer camp! Our local camp, de Benneville Pines, has plenty of room for elementary age campers. Here is a note from Eric Bliss, our District Youth Ministry Specialist: In this time of tech and screen overload, isn’t an enriching, safe, and spiritually nourishing outdoor experience exactly what our children need? According to American Camp Association’s 2005 Youth Outcomes of the Camp Experience report, parents cite the following as the most important reasons for sending their children to…
Memories from Our OCUUC Faith Community
If you went to church, mosque, circle, or synagogue as a child, what do you remember? What builds memories that last for our children and youth? In the spring, I asked our younger children what they remembered about the last church year, and here are their responses: Stories and Time for All Ages Playing the Hula Hoop Game with the strings (1st-3rd graders) The game with the ball where we said something nice [to each other] The day the bears…
Peace like a River
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul. Traditional American Song [and a Unitarian Universalist favorite!] ~~~ As our country reels from another domestic shooting this month, I am very grateful that our children and youth have a faith community where peaceful solutions to personal and societal problems can be discussed and modeled. Resolving differences thoughtfully and peacefully is not always a quick or easy thing to…
RE Reflections
Hello OCUUC Community~ Our OCUUC summer program begins in July, and I will complete my 5th year as your Director this summer of 2015. The time truly has flown by. What a gift to see your children grow up in our UU faith at OCUUC! We have an awesome group of 6-8th graders coming up next year, and my dream for them is to have a Jr. High class each Sunday. They are an action-oriented group, and I see them…
REflections
The word ‘fund-raising’ can cause the most fearless member of any organization to take a few steps back and break eye contact with all those in a twenty-foot area. But the reality of any organization is that it relies on some level of monetary funding, not only to survive, but to thrive. Here at OCUUC we have one of the easiest ongoing fundraisers available. It is right on the patio on Sunday mornings, and it costs nothing to actively participate.…
Many Hands for Big Sunday
It was a joy to share Big Sunday with so many members of our community on Saturday May 3rd. We had volunteers of all ages helping out with projects to assist those in need out in the larger community. UUA President Peter Morales has this to say about service: “Every religious tradition on which we draw has a reverence for life. We are a part of an intricate web of life. Every tradition on which we draw teaches that the ultimate…
Upcoming in Religious Education
Look for a special snack after the first service on Sunday. Our PreK-Kindergarten class will be creating something special during class time. The lesson in Chalice Children is about creating community through sharing. Look for their special offering at the tables in the courtyard. We look forward to a good time hosted by our youngest RE class! After discussing the nature of Love last week, our OCUUC youth will be looking at Truth and Lies using a middle eastern folk…