Religious Education News
Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton
RE Mission

Our religious education program works to create an accepting environment that empowers children and youth to explore their spirituality, celebrate diversity, and live our Unitarian Universalist values.
 
Family Ministry

We believe that families play a vital role in furthering this empowerment to explore and live our UU values. We are excited to support our families by offering ideas from the UUA's Tapestry of Faith program as well as graces and thought provoking questions related to the topics introduced during Sunday religious education classes. We hope you find this new initiative enjoyable and spiritually fulfilling for your whole family.

In RE Next Week
Our children and youth will hear a story about Passover,explore the idea of personal transformation, continue making music, prepare for a fundraiser, and celebrate.  
RE Committee
Wil Rivers, Chair 
Todd Moe, Council Liaison 
David Bradford
Arthur Freeheart
Sally Hoose
Esther Katz
Rhonda Rodriguez
Anna Sorensen
Jenn Whittaker 
For the Week of March 26, 2017
A Table Grace:
Heaven is my father and earth my mother even such a
small creature as I finds intimate place in its midst.  That
which extends throughout the universe, I regard as my body
and that which directs the universe, I regard as my nature.
All people are my brothers and sisters and all things are my
companion.
~ Chang Tsai (Eleventh Century) 
A Chalice Lighting:
Glory to the earth and the wind.
Glory be to the sun and the rain.
Glory be to animals and children . . .
Glory be to our holy flame,
which calls us together as one.
Spirit Play heard the story "Planter of Trees", a violet promise story of an elder who was planting trees and asked a passerby for help.
Family Discussion - During a shared meal, talk about your family's interdependence with trees. In what way do trees care for you? In what ways do you care for trees? What actions can you take as a family to protect trees and help them thrive?
Family Meditation - Make time each day for a brief meditation. Join hands, close your eyes, and take a moment to become aware of your breathing. Talk with your child about the fact that you are breathing in oxygen made by the trees and that the trees are taking in the carbon dioxide that you exhale. Take a few minutes to repeat this ritual in an outdoor space that feels sacred or has special meaning to your family. 
Our Caring Community explored risk of failure and change.  They heard the story The Dot and performed skits about healthy risk taking.
Family Discussion - Over a shared meal, discuss what actions you take to care for our natural world.    
The Dot Song - Click here to hear the Dot Song and make your mark.  
Maker Space continued making music with found objects.  They brought in found objects that makes a great sound when struck or shaken.  They are preparing for a performance during the April 23 worship service.
Family Discussion - During a shared meal, discuss what is your favorite song from our hymnals and why.
Landfillharmonic -Check out this movie trailer about a small town in Paraguay making music from trash or listen to this story on NPR.  
Coming of Age participated in their final weekend retreat.  They explored what it means to be transitioning from a child to an adolescent. 
Family Discussion - Over a shared meal, discuss what expectations and privileges would you like to have during this transition phase of life.
Global Coming of Age Traditions - Click here to see a Global Citizen article on amazing coming of age traditions. 
Youth Group shared their idea of technology through our seven principles during the worship service. 
Family Discussion - During a shared meal, discuss how you use technology for good in the world?
Social Media Changing the World - Click here to see a World Economic Forum article on six ways social media is changing our world today.  
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Carol Zimmerman at dre@uucantonny.org or 315-386-2498.