RENews:
This week, children and youth gathered for the first RE classes of October!
The PreK/K group started class by lighting the chalice, introducing themselves and sharing their favorite holiday (the most popular answer was Halloween!), and reading the book Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae. Then, they discussed the importance of being themselves, and made a badge designed with something that makes them special. They will make badges all month long!
The 1st - 5th grade class gathered to close out their month-long exploration of the theme of Beginnings. They discussed the importance of welcoming new folks to ERUUF, then did a short walking loving kindness meditation. For the main activity, grade-level small groups gathered to discuss their hopes for the coming year of RE, then wrote notes and painted rocks to be locked away in a time capsule that we will open in the Spring. Once the time capsule was closed, they ritualistically “buried” it in a cloth.
Crossing Paths (6-8th grade) had their “Summit Day” for Unitarian Universalism and visited Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist for their early service, then stuck around to join their middle school RE during the second service. They also went on a tour of the church, had a Q&A session with faith leaders, and were treated to donuts.
Middle School and High School Youth Groups grabbed lunch from the RE Luncheon, then split into their respective groups. Middle School played tons of games (especially Jenga and Twister). High School had an informal gathering for fellowship, discussed intentions for the coming year, and considered updates to the covenant.
After RE on Sunday, the RE Ministry Team hosted their first Fall RE Luncheon. There were over 70 participants! Families had a hearty lunch of empanadas, beans, rice, and maduros. Then, the children went out to the playground while parents broke into groups based on the grades of their children (PreK/K, 1-5th, and 6-12th) to hear a bit more about what happens in RE and share their hopes for the program. Thank you to all of our attendees, and to the volunteers who helped make it happen!
