RE Weekly News 4/29/26

•
April 29, 2026This Sunday we will return to ONE SERVICE!  The service will begin at 10:30 so be sure to arrive by 10:15 so little people get a chance to eat a snack or play on the playground before coming in to sit with their families.  It will be quite crowded so be sure to sit close with your neighbors and fill in any gaps to leave space for anyone arriving late. A new Month also means a new monthly theme – May is Awakening Curiosity – and I wonder what curiosity will awaken in you in these weeks ahead.We will not have K1 OWL this week – children will be in their regular class age groupings.  Rebecca will be filling in as the DRE for the day and has some activities planned to prepare for RE Sunday which will be an all-ages service on May 17 celebrating all things in Religious Exploration.  Children can practice singing Blue Boat Home together this weekend with Rebecca and you can click on the link above to practice at home or in the car.  Our Committee on Family Ministry was meant to meet this past Sunday but has been rescheduled for an online meeting next week – more information and zoom link to be sent Friday via email.Stay curious!ShannonShannon 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 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 здесь 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 & EventsUpper Elementary Theme for this Month: Awakening Curiosity!May 1 –       CANCELLED: First Friday Game NightMay 3 –      RETURN TO ONE SERVICE @10:30amMay 10 –    Mother’s DayMay 17 –    RE Sunday – All Ages ServiceMay 24 –   Memorial Day Weekend – One Room Schoolhouse planMay 31  –   K1 OWL – Morrisons Return!June 7   –   K1 OWL
? 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.  Please be sure to sign your child up if they are interested!April 26   _______________ (available!)May 3       _______________ (available!)May 10     _______________ (available!)May 17     _______________ (available!)May 24    _______________ (available!)
Email dre@uucmp.org to sign your child up to light the chalice