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Faith Development Newsletter



Dear FUUSB Families,


We've had a few days to process the election now, but it doesn't necessarily get any easier with time. Families are experiencing extra anxiety, sadness, and trauma, and we are here for support. Reach out if you need to talk, vent, or be supported. We have each other to lean on. Together, in this faith community, we will be empowered to hold onto our values and take action for love and justice.


I have included another video from Lea Morris below, a song she composed to help us all with our recovery. So, if you're having trouble talking to your children about hope and perseverance - I know sometimes it is so hard to keep saying it - try listening/singing along to this song together instead.


In brighter news, we had so many kids here last week! Both of the UU Values exploration groups had a lot of fun, even if they were bursting at the seams. Along with those two groups, and the small children in the nursery, we had some middle and high-school aged youth hanging out in the Community Room area as well, and we had the staff/volunteers to accommodate them. I would love to make this a regular thing, and provide a space where youth are able to connect with each other on Sunday mornings. It has always been our intention that Chalice Choice Sundays, in particular, would make room for a separate group of older kids, but I know that it is a challenge to convince youth that what happens downstairs is not just for little kids.


If your youth is enjoying staying in the pews during worship, that's wonderful, but let them know that they are invited to come down, when the younger children do, if they would rather connect with other young people and engage in creative or active pursuits. During this Sunday's Chalice Choice, I will offer some separate choices for youth, 7th grade and above, who want to break off on their own (Ping Pong, friendship bracelets, helping me with a bulletin board project). Over time, I hope to gently probe them about what they would like their Sunday mornings at FUUSB to look like, but first priority will be to have fun in community, as it is for our younger participants.


See you Sunday!


Warm wishes,

Erika

Fire Drill

We have a drill scheduled for this Sunday near the end of the service. We will tell children what to expect in advance and support them throughout. The alarm is loud and accompanied by flashing lights, but it will be shut off after a minute, rather than continuing throughout the drill.

Please do not come downstairs or upstairs to retrieve your child during the drill. Children and youth need to remain with their groups outside until we get the "all clear" to return to our spaces. At that point, if you absolutely can't wait to pick up your child or youth, please make sure that you let the guide who is holding the binder for that group know that you are leaving with them.

It is important that we practice evacuating as a congregation and we appreciate your participation!

Chalice Choice

November 15

Choice Sundays allow participants to choose among several activity “stations”, with an overall theme of UU identity. These sessions are open to youth as well as younger kids, because the activities can be engaged with differently at different life stages. Some stations will remain open into coffee hour so that adults can participate as well.

Upcoming Sundays

November 17:

10:00- 5/6 OWL

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 Chalice Choice

[Fire Drill]

11:10- Coffee Hour

November 24:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 Chalice Choice (modified for vacation Sunday)

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 1:

10:00- Family Chapel in the Community Room

10:20-11:20 Chalice Choice (modified for vacation Sunday)

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 8:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 UU Values Explorations

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:20- OWL Lunch - Pizza provided

11:45- 5/6 OWL, Parent's Circle, Sibling care

December 15:

10:00- 5/6 OWL

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 Chalice Choice

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 22:

10:00- Multigenerational Worship in the Sanctuary

11:10- Coffee Hour

December 29:

No Service!

Chalice-Making 11/3

erika@uusociety.org