From Lily Rappaport, Developmental Director of Family Ministries
Children’s storybooks can enrich us with fundamental wisdom and meaning. In one of my favorite children’s storybooks, The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh written by A.A. Milne, the beloved title character states, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” These words so lovingly and accurately express how I feel as I take my leave of UUCM.
In the past two years, I’ve done my best to sow some seeds. We have accomplished much together: creating family friendly spaces for all ages worships and children’s chapels, providing stability for the Sunday RE program, building self-reliant teaching teams, and supporting youth integration into the life of the congregation. Additionally, we have been intentional about creating faith formation development opportunities for families outside of Sunday mornings, including a network of parent support and at-home resources for family faith formation.
And now Judith Hogan, our RE Administrator, will be taking over as the Director of Religious Education. It has been a pleasure to work with and to mentor Judith this year and to help her and the RE Committee transition to a new beginning.
While this leave-taking is part of the nature of transitional ministry, it is made harder by COVID-19. We don’t get to say goodbye in person and instead have had to do so virtually. You have done deep, loving, remarkable work in ministering to the needs of families and in doing so you’ve created space for new opportunities to take root and flourish. I’m proud to have worked here and to support the congregation in moving through the challenges of this pandemic. May you live ever more fully and fiercely into the world.
SUMMER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
In collaboration with area Unitarian Universalist congregations, UUCM will offer a summer program that will Connect our UUCM children with other UU children.
UU Kids Connect: Summer Classes for grades K-2 & 3-5 and their families
8 weeks, 8 Unitarian Universalist Principles
Mondays/Wednesdays 11 am – 12 pm; July 6 through August 31
Realm Registration for grades K-5 8 Principles class:
UU Kids Connect: Summer Socials for Grades 6-8
Games, Social Time, Connection, Justice Grades 6-8
Fridays 3pm-4pm; July 10, 24, August 7, 21
Realm Registration for grades 6-8 Summer Socials:
The Treehouse for High School Youth
Central East Region is offering a summer program for rising 9th graders through 2020 high school graduates. CER staff and youth leaders are developing a private social media space where youth can connect with each other; with break out spaces for POC and LGBTQ youth, programs to plan worship, and other the community needs.
Registration for Treehouse TBD