Save the Date Announcement

SAVE THE DATE!
Lifespan Learning Facilitator training
WHEN: August 27th
TIME: 10:00am- 12pm
WHERE: UUCF Social Hall



Do you have a passion for Unitarian Universalism and discovering new spiritual practices, songs, rituals, and wisdom? Our lifespan learning program needs you to help guide our children and youth as they make their own discoveries during our Sunday morning program!  Come join us!

"But I don't know how to teach about Unitarian Universalism!"

Never fear! A facilitator's role is to be authentically present with our children and youth to help guide them as they make their own discoveries. Together you will embark on a journey with our youngsters to discover what being a Unitarian Universalist means to you. During the training, we will work together to share helpful tools and tips for success.

"I would love to be a part of the spiritual journey of our children and youth... but... I can't make that training date!"

Please email director-lifespanlearning@uuflint.org and let me know! I can do some one-on-one training or I can set up a second training date for those who cannot be here on August 27th.

"I would love to be a part of the spiritual journey of our children and youth... but.. I don't have time!"
Our curriculum for this year is specifically designed with a busy schedule in mind. Prep-time is minimal and we have lots of room for people who have a special skill or gift to share with our youth, but can only commit to one or two Sunday mornings throughout the year.




"I teach five days a week. I don't want to teach on Sundays too..."


Witnessing the spiritual journey of our children and youth on Sunday mornings can be a wonderful, fulfilling experience. Our children and youth bring their own wisdom to the circle, so be prepared to leave with a renewed sense of our faith!


"I need childcare during this event!"


You're in luck! Childcare will be available for this event; to help us plan, please RSVP to 810.232.4023 or director-lifespanlearning@uuflint.org no later than Sunday, August 21st. Drop-in childcare will not be available. 


Questions?
Contact Me!
Amy Peterson Derrick
Director of Lifespan Learning
director-lifespanlearning@uuflint.org
810.232.4023 (office)
www.uuflint.org
www.uucflifespan.blogspot.com


Office hours:
Tuesday & Thursday: 1pm-7pm
Sunday: 12:00pm-2pm
and by appointment

A Moment For All Ages July 17th, 2011: Why Church?

Have you ever wondered why we all come to church on Sunday mornings?

If you were to ask this question of the members of our UU congregation, you are likely hear many different answers!

For some church is about coming together with people who value similar ideals, others come to feel inspired by new ideas, some come to feel the presence of "spirit" or "God," and others may say that they come every Sunday to be a part of a bigger movement.

This year the Unitarian Universalist Association of congregations turned 50! That means that while Unitarian and Universalism both have their own strong religious history, Unitarians and Universalists have been "better together" for half a century!

As we continue our work together, it is important to ask ourselves, "Why Church?" and think about what it is we can accomplish with our collective strength and wisdom for the next half a century and beyond!

Why do you come to church? What dreams do you have for our UU movement over the next 50 years? Share your ideas in the comment section below!

For more resources on the history of Unitarian Universalism, the UUA and to find out about General Assembly, check out some of these pages:

History of UUism from the UUA website

We are better together; find out more about our history of social justice on the UUA website

Strength in numbers; find out more about our annual General Assembly and attend in 2012!

A Moment for All Ages July 10, 2011; The Story of the Flaming Chalice

Have you ever wondered why the symbol for our church is a Flaming Chalice or why we light a chalice at the beginning of our worship services?

The story of the Flaming Chalice is exciting and inspiring! Take a moment and check out some of these great articles about the symbol of our faith. What does our chalice mean to you?

Wartime origins of the flaming chalice by Dan Hotchkiss
The Healing Cup by Noreen Kimball
Bring a meaningful chalice-lighting ritual into your home!

Special Announcement!

Welcome to the “Dream Team” for Lifespan Faith Development and Religious Education!

Are you interested in working with our children and youth, developing curriculum and discussing our UU religious education philosophy? Here is an opportunity for you!

You are cordially invited to meet together as our team, to lead the congregation as we envision the lifespan faith development program we want to create.

Come dream with us, come play with us. We will chose our destination and discover together what gifts we have to share on the journey.

Our first planning session will be on Thursday April 28^th, 2011 at 6:30 pm in the Chapel

See you there!

June Urdy, Board Liaison to Lifespan Learning

 and Amy Peterson Derrick, Director of Lifespan Learning

Faithful Footprints

It is amazing how our members, young and old, are living our UU Principles each and every day. These footprints (from big feet, little feet, hand prints or tire treads!) are making our world a better place for us and for the generations to come.

Here are some of the amazing gifts the members of our congregation have offered to the world:

“Prayers and Sharing”
“Appreciated Spring”
“Supporting Planned Parenthood…”
“Helping my parents light the chalice”
“Speak truth- listen-repeat”
“Recognizing the interdependence of all life”
“Help my sister clean her room”
“take care of my cat”

What "footprints" have you left behind? You can contribute your footprints during our service on Sunday mornings and take the time to "walk" our path to read more of these amazing gifts.

If you are interested in assisting with the continuation of this project, please contact Amy Peterson Derrick:
Director-lifespanlearning@uuflint.org

2011 Summer Program for Children: UU Principles in Story and Song

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Flint Presents:
2011 Summer Program for Children:
UU Principles in Story and Song

Do you know of a story or song that reflects our UU Principles or values? Share it with our children and youth this summer! Signing up to lead a fun and engaging lesson for the budding UUs in our community is simple:

1.) Pick a Book or song
2.) Attend our Summer Teacher Workshop on Sunday, May1, 2011 from 12:30-2pm to develop an activity to accompany your story (and bring a friend!)
3.) Sign up to lead your lesson on a Sunday that works in your schedule!

To share your stories and songs with our children and youth, please contact Deb Simmons or Amy Peterson Derrick.

New Non-violent Communication Advisory Circle Forming

UU Church of Flint is starting a new advisory circle on Non-violent Communication (NVC). 

This communication system was created by Marshall Rosenberg as a response to the violence he experienced growing up in Detroit in the 1940’s. It emphasizes clear communication, empathy, and focusing on our own feelings and needs. 

The purpose of the advisory circle will be to devise strategies for disseminating this information to the congregation, and also to create a safe space for group members to discuss and practice NVC principles. 

The group will meet approximately two hours once a week and the first meeting will take place beginning in February.

The texts we will use are: 

Non-violent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD and

Non-violent Communication: A Companion Workbook by Lucy Leu.

If you are interested, please contact Pat Lewis 

Creating Community

Did you know that volunteering for church events and duties as a family can be fun and easy? 

Sign up to usher with your children or volunteer to work a fundraiser; it can help your child feel like a part of our UU community and can be a fun way to work together as a family!

Have more ideas for other ways to create opportunities for multi-age community and service? Add them below!

Lifespan Lessons

While our Sunday morning Lifespan Learning classes are a rich source for growth and faith development for our children and youth, there are also many other opportunities for faith development and growth that aren’t always as obvious. 

As a congregation filled with families with children, we can help each other create and value these teachable moments.  On Sunday mornings, stop and take notice; what other teachable moments do you see?

·         Build Community

o   Did you know that simply attending church on Sunday morning can be an important lesson for our children and youth?  Our kids need the opportunity to be a part of a community with other children, youth, and adults who share the Principles taught in their homes

·         Begin in the service

o   The first 15-20 minutes of our worship service each Sunday is developed with ALL ages in mind.  Even though a squirmy preschooler or crying baby can be hard to ignore, please be mindful that our children and youth are learning how to be a part of a community in worship.  This means that while parents and grandparents take care to teach our children and youth how to be respectful and honor our worshipful space we can give our families support and celebrate this part of the journey.

·          Let’s work together

o   Volunteering is an important part of our congregational life.  We can show our children and youth the value of working together for a common cause simply by inviting them to take part in work parties, helping in the kitchen on Sunday mornings, or even just encouraging them to help take care of our church home by picking up at the end of the day. 

·         Grow Leaders

o   Our older youth have many gifts to share, including budding leadership skills.  If your committee is looking for some new volunteers, consider asking a youth to serve on your committee.  This can provide our youth with skills that will stick with them as future adult members of a congregation as well as in many other arenas.