Or, yes there IS life after Jazz Fest! There is lots going on this May with children & youth. Hold on and I'll take you through it in chronological order.
This Sunday, May 4, is the final classroom Sunday of the 07/08 church school year, and we're very much gearing up for Religious Education Sunday. Our youngest children, in the Chalice Children class, are working on the very special project of creating gifts for our volunteer teachers, and so should arrive dressed for painting (shhh!) and other potentially messy crafts.
The older children & youth are working within their classes (Spirit of Adventure & Traditions With a Wink) on preparing pieces of the RE Sunday service. Please let us know whether or not your family will be present to participate in RE Sunday, as speaking parts are being assigned now.
All children & youth are invited to join the 1st UU Young People's Chorus, which is assembling specifically for RE Sunday. Rehearsals are immediately following the service for the next two Sundays, in the sanctuary with our wonderful music director Betsy & our gifted pianist Jane, to learn one of the song's from the UUA's new children's hymnal in preparation for a debut performance on RE Sunday. Parental participation is welcomed and appreciated!
We will hold an RE Sunday Rehearsal Pizza Party on Saturday, May 17; the exact time will be announced as soon as it is firmed up.
The RE Sunday service is a chance to celebrate our children and youth and the adults who work with them, to reflect on what we've been up to all year, look forward to where we're headed and experience who we are in the now. Our theme this year is "We Are", from the song by Ysaye Barnwell. The words touch on our connection to our ancestors and the unknowable mysteries of the universe, but also the myriad possibilities of who we can be, given the chance to grow and develop into our true selves. I invite you to "open your heart to the song" and strive to be fully present for what will be an inspiring hour.
In preparation for RE Sunday and in observance of mid-Spring, we are continuing to focus on sprucing up our space. We will be holding an RE Wing Work Day on Saturday, May 10, from 12 noon til 4 PM, to continue the important work of putting all of our STUFF in its place. Friends, we have so much stuff. We are continually blessed by donations of all kinds from all corners of the world, but organizing our supplies in a useful way really takes the touch of those of us who use the space on a regular basis. Please come by Saturday the 10th and give us the gift of a few hours of your time if you can. Snacks and childcare provided!
May 11 will be our next Earth Scouts Sunday. The Earth Scouts have done meaningful work on examining issues relating to human rights, and have planted a container garden in the courtyard. The Earth Scouts badge ceremony will be another wonderful piece of the RE Sunday service.
On Monday, May 12, everyone and anyone interested in helping to make our fourth annual Summer at Hogwarts Day Camp a success is urged to gather at the church for a work party. We will be brainstorming, creating and crafting up a storm in preparation for camp.
The newly formed Religious Education Team will be meeting Tuesday evening, May 13, at 7 PM. Please join us in the RE Wing to get hands-on in shaping our program for the summer as well as the 2008-09 church year.
Following RE Sunday, we'll finish May off with Ice Cream Sunday at the church on May 25, while the senior high youth attend a district youth rally up in Shreveport, and then we'll be heading into summer with our fourth annual Summer at Hogwarts Day Camp, which runs this year from June 2-6 and 9-13. Summer Sunday School will be in session on Sunday mornings from June 22 through August 31.
Please get in touch to volunteer with making any of the above events happen. Remember, this is your community, and you are the church.
Thanks and See You Sunday - Coleen Murphy, Director of Religious Education
