RE Weekly News 4/8/26

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April 8, 2026
Dearest Gentle REaders,Last Sunday we had a wonderful turn out – many children attended including some visiting families during our first service.  We learned a bit about the story of Passover while our teens were working with RE teachers and volunteers to play the role of easter bunnies hiding eggs on the playground.  Children worked together to help one another find the eggs – about 25 eggs each.  The eggs were then EGGchanged for a variety of treats and small treasures.  Thank you to Rebecca Irwin who filled in for me as the DRE for the day and to our wonderful team of RE teachers and volunteers.This Sunday we will return to regular programming with the K1 OWL class in place of lower elementary.  Samaya and Daisy will be Embracing Possibility with our upper elementary students, Case will continue working with the teens on the screen time balance activities.  Tasha and Dia will host free choice play and a craft in the nursery for those under age 3.I for one hope that you will enjoy the possibilities of the week ahead!
С теплом и благодарностью, Шеннон
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 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:  Embracing Possibility!April 5   –  Session One: Embracing the Possibilities that lie Beyond Grief and Loss (Easter)April 12 –  Session Two: Embracing the Possibility of Building a Better WorldApril 19 –  Session Three: Embracing the Possibility of Healing the Earth (Earth Day)April 26 – Session Four: Embracing the Possibilities in Each of UsApril 12  – K1 OWLApril 19  – K1 OWLApril 26  -K1 OWL &  Committee on Family Ministry – Virtual Meeting 4pm PSTMay 1 –       First Friday Game NightMay 3 –      RETURN TO ONE SERVICE @10:30amMay 10 –    Mother’s DayMay 17 –    RE SundayMay 24 –   Memorial Day WeekendMay 31 –   K1 OWLJune 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 5       Jamie BApril 12   _______________ (available!)April 19   _______________ (available!)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