Hello, families of First UU!

It has been a bustling start to the year with lots of new families arriving every week. If any of you newcomers have made it onto the mailing list already, welcome! I encourage all of our long-term families to make a point of talking to new, or new-to-you families at coffee hour. We all come here seeking community, and the best way for new parents to know if this community is a good fit is by connecting with you.

Something very exciting is happening this Sunday! We are having our first ever "Reverse Offering". Instead of dropping money into the offering basket, every congregant will be offered a small envelope of cash with which to do good in the world. Read more about it below as well as some tips for practicing generosity as a family.

Congratulations to all of the 5th and 6th graders who celebrated completing their Our Whole Lives program last Sunday! With elementary OWL wrapped up for the year, we will see some changes in what is being offered for kids of all ages on Sunday mornings. There will be fewer "Chalice Choice" Sundays, and starting on February 16th, there will be 3 age-based groups on Exploration Sundays, rather than 2, allowing 7th-12th graders to have their own YUUTH group. Expect to hear more from me soon about the new groupings.

In Faith,

Erika

Reverse Offering

Sunday Jan 26, 10am

Every member of the congregation, no matter their age, will get to take an envelope with cash inside!

The instructions are, in a nutshell:

· Be Good. (You already are, so you can check that off the list.)

· Do Good. Be generous with this money.

· Amplify Good. You can grow the good you do by joining with others, inspiring others, AND by coming back here on March 9th to tell the story of the good you did with the cash you were given.

And here's a song by UU musician, Lea Morris, to inspire us!

Good Enough (My Hands Are)

Practicing Generosity With Children

Generosity is about recognizing our interconnectedness and embracing the responsibility to share our time, talents, and resources to make the world a better place. Introducing this concept to children not only helps them understand the value of giving but also nurtures their sense of belonging in a larger community.

Giving money, as we will as part of the "Reverse Offering" is certainly not the only way to practice generosity, but involving children in giving money can foster empathy and compassion; what better way to learn "the value of a dollar" than by seeing how much value money can have when we invest it in our community?

Tips for encouraging generosity in children:

Make it Tangible

Model Generosity: Children learn best by example. When they see adults giving to others—whether by donating to a food drive, volunteering time, or simply offering a listening ear—they are more likely to adopt similar behaviors.
Celebrate Small Acts of Kindness: Teach children that generosity doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. Helping a sibling with homework, sharing toys, or writing a kind note to a friend are meaningful ways to practice giving.
Encourage Thoughtful Choices: Let children take the lead in deciding how they want to give. This might involve donating a portion of their allowance, choosing items for a charity drive, or helping neighbors. Providing options empowers them and makes giving a joyful and intentional act.
Tie Giving to UU Principles: Use age-appropriate discussions to connect acts of generosity to the UU values of justice, and equity. For example, explain how giving to others helps create a fair and kind world where everyone’s needs are valued.

Building Generosity as a Habit

Consistency is key. Incorporate regular family rituals, such as setting aside time each month to volunteer together or discuss causes to support. Create opportunities for children to reflect on how their giving impacts others, reinforcing the idea that their actions make a difference.

By encouraging a practice of giving we inspire children to see themselves as active participants in building a kinder, more interconnected world!

Upcoming Sundays

January 26:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 UU Values Explorations

11:10- Coffee Hour

11:30- 7th/8th OWL Sunday Session

February 2:

10:00- Family Chapel in the Community Room

10:20-11:20 UU Values Explorations

11:10- Coffee Hour

February 9:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 UU Values Explorations

11:10- Coffee Hour

February 16:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 Building UU Values, Bible Stories, YUUTH

11:10- Coffee Hour

February 23:

10:00- Worship in the Sanctuary

10:20-11:20 Building UU Values, Bible Stories, YUUTH

11:10- Coffee Hour

March 2:

10:00- Family Chapel in the Community Room

10:20-11:20 Chalice Choice Activities

11:10- Coffee Hour