Archive for September, 2009

All Ages Book Club Selection

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

the giver

I’m very excited to begin a new All Ages Bookclub, open to any age and specializing in all the fabulous literature that spans age categories and generations.  There are so many books that can be enjoyed by people of almost any age – think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Winnie the Pooh.  At our first meeting in October we can brainstorm a list of future book selections.

The October selection is The Giver by Lois Lowry.  This Newberry Award winner explores a dystopian world and asks the question of how much you would be willing to give up in order to always feel “happy”.

The All Ages BookClub will meet Friday, October 23rd at 7pm.

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Religious Education classes start again

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Last Sunday was the beginning of our church year of age-group classes.  It was a smooth and fun start to the year.

working on our 7 principles rainbow

spiritplay class

eating game

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youth group BBQ

Saturday, September 19th, 2009

youth group

Our Youth Group for high schoolers has kicked off its year with a BBQ and overnight at the church last night.  We were able to utilize the park down the street during this construction time at church, so that our BBQ had plenty of space for frisbee and “baseketball”.

The Youth Group is larger this year, and they have many plans for projects and activities.  It’s going to be a great year!

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Dr. Seuss for 1st-3rd grade

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Dr_Seuss_431x276

One of the last groups to meet and prepare was the teaching team for 1st-3rd grade, which met this week.  But this isn’t because they aren’t excited about the plans for this class!  Who doesn’t like Dr. Seuss?  This Fall the 1st to 3rd graders will be exploring our 7 Principles through Dr. Seuss stories:

1st Principle: The Inherent Worth and Dignity of every person = The Sneetches

2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations = Horton Hatches an Egg

3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations = How the Grinch Stole Christmas

4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning = Horton Hears a Who

5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process = Yertle the Turtle

6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace and liberty for all = The Butter Battle

7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of life = The Lorax

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More about Our Whole Lives

Monday, September 14th, 2009

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Our Whole Lives

Friday, September 11th, 2009

This year OUUC is offering Our Whole Lives for grades 7-9.  You are most likely familiar with OWL already, as it is a program we have offered for many years in a rotating cycle of OWL for middle school every other year.  This year our OWL facilitators are Curtis and Wendy Tanner.
 
“Our Whole Lives is a progressive approach to sexuality education that deals with the totality of human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner.  It is based firmly on the values of self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice, and inclusivity.  As a result, the program takes a stand on gender equity and the inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues, which are often excluded from traditional curricula.  Criteria for sexually healthy relationships are clearly laid out as yardsticks for making decisions.  Our Whole Lives helps young people adopt these very humane values and provides them with information and skills they need for life.”
 
If you are interested in your child participating in OWL this year, it is mandatory to attend a Parent Orientation.  Our orientation will be Saturday, September 12th, 10-1:30.  A light lunch will be provided.  Please RSVP to our DRE, Sara Lewis.

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Toolbox of Faith

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

This week the volunteer teachers for the 4th-6th grade class met and planned the upcoming Fall session.  We’ll be using a new curriculum, Toolbox of Faith, which is part of the UUA’s new Tapestry of Faith series.  Toolbox of Faith asks what tools Unitarian Universalism offers for the challenges of life, and how children can develop their own toolbox of faith.  Each week an actual tool is used as a metaphor for a quality, for instance duct tape illustrates the quality of flexibility.  With a story and fun activities using duct tape, the children then talk about how being flexible can help them face challenges in their life and how they plan to use this tool in their own lives.

We have three wonderful volunteer teachers for this class, and they are all excited to get started “building a toolbox”.  The first class will be held on September 20th, at both the 9:15 and the 11:00 services.

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