RE Newsletter: Earth Day

April 16th, 2021

Religious Exploration/Education

April's Theme is Becoming

Hello Families,

Our 7th Principle reminds us that we carry a “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." I try to carry this awareness in my heart every day. And Earth Day is a particular time to pause and re-assess: what is my impact on the Earth? How to I care for this interdependent web of life? How am I showing my kids how important this planet is? I hope that you take time this week to connect with these questions and engage your kids in growing their connection to the Earth.

And for your convenience, all past newsletters can be found here on the UUCSC website

A Time for All Ages

The Earth on Turtle's Back

We have a guest storyteller this week! Please join Valerie Stephens from Umbrella Arts in Concord MA as she tells the Onondaga creation myth of how the Earth came to be. A beautiful reminder of the wonder and sacredness of our Earth.

Song of the week

A Love Song To the Earth

sung by a ton of famous people

This is a beautiful song, and even more beautiful video. It shows incredible images of our planet, along with people holding signs and caring for the Earth.

Stories for RE

Picture Books

Here is a great book list from the Children's Diversity and Justice Library. They have created lists for the theme of Becoming and one of them is all in honor of Earth Day, "becoming a people of and for the Earth."

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers. This book reminds us, in a playful way, of how unique and wonderful our planet Earth really is and how important it is to take care of it.

Creekfinding: A True Story, by Jaqueline Briggs Martin. This is a wonderful true story about a man in Iowa who restores a creek that had been covered up for a cornfield. The "water remembered" where it had flowed, and eventually big excavators uncover the stream and the ecosystem begins to thrive.

Greta and the Giants: Inspired by Greta Thunberg's Stand to Save the World, by Zoe Tucker. A sweet, simple story about a girl taking a stand to save a forest. She and a lot of other kids get the attention of the giants who are stomping around, too busy to notice their destruction.

Soulful Connections

Let's Pick Up Trash!

In honor of Earth Day, pick a day this week and go pick up trash! Bring two bags, and sort recycling and trash separately! Instead of picking one spot to focus on together, I invite you to pick a place near your house where you've seen trash before. Then go make it beautiful! And send me a picture of your trash bag or of the place you pick!

And here is a tour of RI's recycling facility at the Johnston landfill. Where does our trash and recycling go?

Sunday Zoom Time

Click Here on Sundays for any of the offerings below!

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 and doing an activity, scavenger hunt or movement together.

This week, DL will be leading RE time and playing a show and tell game!

THIRD SUNDAYS, 9:30-10am: Adult Sharing Time. Since Earth Day is here, let's start by sharing how we encourage and maintain our connection to the Earth, how we talk about environmental issues with our kids and how we model our care and responsibility to the natural world.

LAST SUNDAYS, 9:30-10:30: CartUUns!

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