Religious Exploration/Education
March's Theme is Commitment
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Hello Families,
March brings us the theme of commitment. And before you dismiss that because you already feel so stretched thin, that there is no possible way that you will be adding in any new commitment this month, I ask you to read this. This week we will be pausing to acknowledge the year we have just lived through. We will find ways to honor the hard work we have done, the sacrifices we have made and all that we have lost. And in the weeks that follow, we will slowly open up our shells of grief as we plunge ourselves into HOPE. Let us take time to honor ourselves, to connect to our loved ones, and keep an open mind as we envision the future.
So I hope you will join us.
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A ceremony of remembrance
and hope
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We have arrived at the anniversary of our lock-down. As we look back over our year, we want to honor the losses, struggles and sadness as well as the growth and joy. We also want to look forward to the future where we can hug again. Please join me in this simple ceremony of planting seeds for remembrance and hope. |
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Change to Come
from Carpe Diem Summer ArtVenturers - 2020 with Lea Morris
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Check out this collaboratively written song about what these kids miss about pre-covid life, and what they want to change for the better in our world. It's fun and catchy, and I'm still humming it to myself. You can even add your own verse! |
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After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again, by Dan Sanitat. Just as the name suggests, this is the continuation of Humpty Dumpty's story and how he picked himself back up, mending his sadness and fear. I invite you to discuss parallels to our year of Covid: how we've tried other ways to connect, besides being together, how we might be scared to re-connect, how sad we are to not be able to be "up on the wall" together. |
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The Invisible String, by Patrice Karst is a lovely book about how we are all connected, always, no matter the distance. And how we can feel that connection any time one of us pulls on the string. |
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And the People Stayed Home, by Kitty O'Meara originated as a poem and became a picture book about the coronavirus and how people grew, learned and got to know themselves during the lock-down. And how the Earth had a chance to heal. The librarian who reads it asks at the end about what we've learned and how we've grown through this. |
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This is for you, parents. A beautiful prayer with beautiful images.
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A sweet video picture book of making it through this time of separation, pulling together while staying apart.
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Watch this week's RE video, above, and join me in our ceremony. We think back on our year together, writing down or drawing out the parts that were hard, as well as the parts that brought us growth and joy. Then we look ahead and write or draw the things that we're looking forward to when we can be together again. Then we take our pieces of paper and plant them like seeds to grow into the future. |
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Thank You Cards to Frontline Workers
I invite you to think about all the people who have worked above and beyond to make this year as good as it could be. This includes doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, as well as grocery store workers, teachers, and even parents! So many people have supported our basic needs this year. It's time to say thank you (again).
If you want, think about making a collage with images and words to express your gratitude and then mail it or hand deliver it.
If you want ideas for who to write to in our congregation and community. let me know!
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We are expanding our offerings, so I hope you can make it to some of the following:
EVERY SUNDAY, 9am-9:30: Kid Circle Time. We have a lovely, simple time together, sharing Roses/Buds/Thorns, singing a song
THIRD SUNDAYS, 9:30-10am: Adult Sharing Time. Last time was wonderful with seven families joining in on a conversation about raising anti-racist kids. Join us next month on March 21st!
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Pictures from our CartUUns class! |
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We had an amazing class last Sunday. We watched this beautiful film that pulled on our heartstrings, based on a true story of playground inclusion. Then we talked about what things we see that aren't fair in our own lives. The kids created a picture with pencil of the unfair situation, and then added their own creativity to transform the scene into what they imagine is possible and how that would feel. |
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Teddy's scene of kids thinking the principal is mean, transformed to bring understanding that the principal is a nice person! |
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Novi's scene of kids saying mean things about one of her friends, transformed to show them voicing their concern and choosing empathy and kindness |
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Sylvan's scene of not being able to sled at recess, transformed into the joy of how it would feel to be able to sled when they are outside! |
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