RE Newsletter April: Awakening

April 1st, 2022

Religious Exploration

April's Theme is Awakening

Hello Families,

The theme of Awakening is perfect for the springtime. This is my favorite time of year, when everything is unfurling and awakening from its winter sleep. This month we have some good reminders to stay present with what is. Sometimes that is something beautiful, like a rose. And sometimes that is something hard, like a thorn. With so much suffering and conflict in the world, we are invited not to turn away, but to stay present with that pain. It is our presence that allows us to move through it to the other side. We first have to feel it in order to heal it.

So I hope that some of these resources will help fuel your awakening heart and spirit this month. And I hope you find time to do what nourishes you and helps your new green growth sprout up strong and joyful.

Lee

Soul Matters Offering

Soul Matters Sharing Circle is a compilation of resources for RE, Ministry, and Small Groups that UU Congregations across the country use, following a new theme each month.

This month we focus on Awakening. This is highlighted in different ways: awakening to what is really important, awakening to suffering, awakening to wonder and beauty and the interconnected web of all existence.

From the Soul Matters team: "Our theme this month is “Awakening.” In this lesson, we reflect on waking up to what really matters and the importance of weighing things thoughtfully. It is often very easy – especially in our status and Tik-Tok centered culture – to just pay attention to the surface things and not look any deeper. But when we do that, we risk falling to shallow living. This lesson invites kids to practice and explore ways of deep living, a calling found in our fourth principle about searching for meaning."

Awakening also involves being present to the beauty and wonder in our lives. It also involves being present with what is hard in our lives and not pushing that away in order to "feel good."

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty is about asking questions. As UUs we know that wonder is a central piece of our faith, and this book is a good reminder to stay curious, ask questions and continue our search for truth and meaning.

Rechenka's Eggs, by Patricia Polacco is on the theme of "waking up to suffering" and how we can help heal. In the story, a babushka who is known for her beautifully painted eggs, helps an injured goose.

Say Something, by Peter Reynolds and read by the author. Sometimes the way that we can help is by using the superpower that is our voice.

This short and simple animation tells a beautiful story without words. Set to calm, meditative music, it shows how all things are connected, even when they don't realize it.

Story and Song of the Month

The Empty Cup

told by Lea Morris

This Day

Wake up begin again

This is a new day

Open your eyes

The sun has never shown this way

It's never been this day

Sure you've heard it all before

Sure you've seen it all before

Been down this path

It's a road I know

It's never been this road before

You've never been just who you are

Just face it, everything's changing.

Rearranging

Every day awaken

A story about what’s needed to awaken. Sometimes we need to empty out our preconceived ideas in order to awaken to new ones.

Upcoming Schedule

We will continue our two hour schedule in RE: Sundays from 10-noon. We have mostly been starting our time together with a circle, which seems to work best for most people. We will be outside every day that it's warm and dry enough!

Saturday, April 9th 2pm: All Ages Hike! Meet at Trustom Pond to explore the beautiful wildlife sanctuary, ponds, forests and fields. It will be fun to see what has changed with the coming of spring!

Sunday, April 10th 10-Noon: TFAA in the sanctuary, with a book by Tomie DePaula. Then outside! (with the option to come in if it's too cold or rainy)

Sunday, April 17th 10-Noon: Easter multi-gen! And then a hunt outside.

Sunday, April 24th 10-Noon: RE outside (weather permitting) to celebrate Earth Day!

Saturday, April 30th, time tbd: Beach Clean Up! We are inviting other UU congregations in the state to join us to take care of our beautiful beaches.

Sunday, May 1st 10-Noon: An outside multi-gen celebrating May Day with a maypole!

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