RE Weekly News 2/25/26

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February 25, 2026
When we meet again this Sunday it will be March 1st!  A new month, new theme and new focus on historical figures as we will be celebrating Women’s History.  
Kids will meet in their age groupings (Lower Elementary 4-6, Upper Elementary 7-11 and Teens/Tweens 12-15) and will have activities centered on our March theme of Paying Attention.  The nursery will be available for free-choice play activities and Tasha has an age appropriate craft planned for the littlest UUs.
This Sunday we will have an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming K1 OWL class that will be offered starting with a required orientation on March 8th during our second service. See below for more information.
Our Committee on Family Ministry met after the second service last Sunday – thank you to everyone who attended to share ideas and connect!
With warmth and hope,ShannonShannon Morrison (she/her)Director of Religious Exploration, UUCMP


Kindergarten & 1st Grade Our Whole Lives (K1 OWL for short)March 1 – Info session/registration (also offered on zoom) after the second service at 12:45.  This info session is optional but a great way to learn more about the program and review materials.K1 OWL will be co-facilitated by three of our members: pediatrician Dr. Andrea Rivas, Warren Finch and Shannon Morrison.  Sessions be held in-person during second service 11:15-12:15 on the following dates:March 8 – Orientation (parents and children)March 15 – Session 1: Our wonderful bodiesMarch 22 – Session 2: Bodies & GenderApril 12 – Session 3: Body BoundariesApril 19 – Session 4: FamiliesApril 26 – Session 5: How Babies BeginMay 3 – Session 6: Pregnancy & Birth*Date? – Session 7: BabiesMay 31 – Session 8: Celebration & Closing*May is a tricky month – the date for session 7 will be determined after discussing availability enrolled families. Program Registration:Please register here for the 2025-2026 Church Year! Registration annually helps us to have accurate, up to date information and also allows us to keep an accurate record of the families we serve as an organization.
??????? THANK YOU OUR VOLUNTEERS & DONORS!  We have been so lucky to have helping hands in RE and those who have their given time and talents, some who brought in snacks and resources – a huge thank you each to: An McDowell for the beautiful baby blankets made for our RE Families this past year and for Baby Festner due in March!  Zeana Bey Davis for taking the lead on our iHelp Dinner organizing and all the creative ways you show up in our community!  Rose and Mike Lovell for all you do and especially the wonderful toy donation earlier this month, Jacob and Alina Bagley for the beautiful music you share, daddy bread and our solstice celebration, Karen Brown for ALL that you do for our RE families!  Aydan and Eric Festner for always bringing the essentials, for your attention to detail and generosity.  So Many Thank Yous!   Warren and Michelle Finch, Monique Romero, Charlotte Bear, Angela Skerritt, Suzanne Schmidt, Rebecca Irwin, and Ali Shappard for all your contributions this season.  Whether bringing food to share, helping to set or clean up, keeping our library tip top, or filling in for our teachers – your help is greatly appreciated!
??  Upcoming Activities & EventsMarch 1  – K1 OWL Information Session @12:45pm  March 6  – First Friday Game Night & Community GatheringMarch 8 – K1 OWL  Parent/Child Orientation
? Would your child like to light the chalice?Every Sunday we try to find a child or youth volunteer to light the chalice. It’s a fun way for kids to participate in the service. DRE Shannon can show kids how  before the service if it’s their first time or they need a reminder. See Shannon on Sunday morning if interested.    The Chalice Lighting sign up sheet will be at the RE table with our coloring and quiet activity supplies.  Please be sure to sign your child up if they are interested!February 22 _______________ (available!)Email dre@uucmp.org to sign your child up to light the chalice