RE Weekly News 4/1/26

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April 1, 2026
My Dear RE Families,Many of you have heard the latest news that my family will be heading to Oberlin sooner than we anticipated – and not returning until early June.  Our departure date has been moved up and unfortunately I will only have one more opportunity to connect with you all until our return.  I hope that we can connect this week at First Friday Game Night and Potluck.  There will be food, games and egg decorating.  If you would like to bring a dish please sign up here.  I hope to see you there!Last week we welcomed back Jamie and his moms Amy and Andrea!!  We are so happy to have you back!  Our teens were on theme as they started a Screen Time Balance project with Case.  Elementary students met with Daisy and Samaya and had their last lesson on Paying Attention.  April brings a new theme: Embracing Possibilities!This Sunday Rebecca Irwin will be filling in for me as the DRE for the day – while parents Alina, Zeana and Lindsay will work with staff to create a little egg hunt after our group check in.  Teens will have the chance to hop down to the playground to help hide eggs for their younger peers.  Children will also learn a bit about the food that is served at a seder dinner in remembrance of Passover.  For more ideas and information about religious holidays and ways to incorporate traditions see this article from UU World.Hope that you are all enjoying the cooler weather and the return of moisture in the air.  My garden is certainly happily receiving this gentle shift.  
With warmth and gratitude,Shannon
Shannon Morrison (she/her)Director of Religious Exploration, UUCMP


Kindergarten & 1st Grade Our Whole Lives (K1 OWL for short)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 & Gender** March 29:  Session 3: Body BoundariesApril 12 – Session 4: FamiliesApril 19 –  Session 5: How Babies BeginApril 26 – Session 6: Pregnancy & BirthMay 3 –May 17 –May 31 –  Session 7: Babies  (After RE Sunday)June 7 – Session 8: Celebration & Closing
General information about OWL can be found here: https://www.uua.org/lifespan/owl
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: Warren Finch and Andrea Rivas for facilitating K1 OWL for our RE Families!  Lindsay Fondren  for being the PIZZA HERO making sure we all got Pizza after the CoFM meeting! Zeana Bey Davis for taking the lead on egg decorating all the creative ways you show up in our community!  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, 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!
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION LIBRARYKaren Brown has put together another beautiful selection of books from our collection – many stories about spring holidays, Unitarianism, spiritual practices and beliefs can be found in the RE library.  Come back and see what books you may want to check out for the youth in your life, or those young at heart.
??  Upcoming Activities & EventsApril 3 – First Friday Game Night & PotluckApril 5 – Egg Hunt during second serviceMay 17 – RE Sunday & Return to One Service!
? 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 small table next to the Organ.  Please be sure to sign your child up if they are interested!March 29 – Emerald & AriaApril 5    _______________ (available!)April 12   _______________ (available!)April 19   _______________ (available!)April 26   _______________ (available!)
Email dre@uucmp.org to sign your child up to light the chalice