RE Weekly News 6/3/26

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June 03, 2026Hello RE Friends and Families!  Welcome to June! Our theme for the month is flourishing together, which focuses on the UU value of interdependence as well as other values, including justice and equity as we learn about Pride and Juneteenth later this month.Last week, we were delighted to welcome back several members of our teen/tween group for an impromptu getting to know you session led by Case and Shannon in the fireplace room. It’s great to see you! Younger kids continued to be curious and did some gardening.As we transition into summer, we’ll spend more time in one or two room schoolhouse mode rather than separating into our usual classrooms.  This Sunday, while the adults celebrate the flower communion in the worship service, the kids will also celebrate flowers! Please ask each child to bring a flower that they really like to RE this Sunday!In addition to enjoying the kids’ flowers, we’ll see how different plants flourish together in a traditional Native American three sisters garden and how flowers are interdependent as we plant different native California flowers together to attract more pollinators.Older kids, tweens, and teens are welcome to join in the celebration of plants, but if they prefer, they can join Case for a session on chess.K1 OWL will have its closing celebration for the children and their parents with Warren and Andrea this Sunday.Please join us for games and pizza at the church this Friday from 6:00-8:30. You can bring your own games if you like, and we also have games for all ages available at the church.I hope you’re enjoying the start of summer!RebeccaRebecca Irwin (she/her)Director of Religious Exploration, UUCMP
2026-27 Program Registration NOW OPEN:Please register here for the 2026-2027 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.Registration is for all participating youth whether you’re returning or new to UUCMP please be sure to register your child.  
??  Upcoming Activities & EventsJune 5 –      Game Night & Pizza!  6:00-8:30 in the Fireside RoomJune 7   –    K1 OWL – Closing and celebration
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Our Whole Lives (K1 OWL for short)K1 OWL will have its final celebration for OWL students and their parents on June 7th!General information about OWL can be found here: https://www.uua.org/lifespan/owl
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.??????? 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!  Thank you to Karen Brown for ALL that you do for our RE families, to Aydan and Eric Festner for your attention to detail  and generosity, for always bringing the essentials, and especially for the recent K1 OWL lesson on babies! Thank you Shannon Morrison for always being ready to jump in and help wherever you’re needed.  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!
? 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 or a minister can show kids how to light the chalice before the service if it’s their first time or they need a reminder. Check in with the RE teacher at the activity table on Sunday morning if interested.    The Chalice Lighting sign up sheet will be at the RE Table.  You can also email dre@uucmp.org to sign your child up to light the chalice. Note that chalice lighters need to be at the church by 10:20 so that the service leaders know they’re present. Please be sure to sign your child up if they are interested! Upcoming dates are:June 7 _______________________June 14 _______________________June 21 _______________________June 28 _______________________