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REjuvenation!
Religious Education News - December 2003
REjuvenation! ArchivesA Note from Rev. Bonnie
A holiday article I once read told of a woman who didn't know what to get her husband for Christmas. He hated Christmas. He hated the commercialism, the materialism, the hype. There were other things so much more important. One of his passions was sports for kids. He attended all the hockey games of the local middle school, a school that we might call in PC language "economically challenged."
The woman put a white envelope on the Christmas tree. No one knew what it was, and she wouldn't tell. It was addressed to her husband. When Christmas morning finally came, the whole family was immensely curious. He slowly opened the envelope, scrutinized it for a few moments, then his face broke out in a delighted grin. Her present to him had been to buy new equipment for the hockey team at the middle school.
After that the family had a white envelope on their tree every year. As the kids got older, they all began to participate in the decision of choosing the recipient of their holiday gift. The spirit of Christmas changed for them.
The holidays can be an ambiguous time for Unitarian Universalists. We have families with Jewish or Hindu backgrounds, interfaith traditions, or uncomfortable memories of past holidays. Each family finds their own way to make the season meaningful. I'd be interested in hearing what works for your family. I'd like to share some of your thoughts with people at the Dec. 14 Christmas Pageant, the Christmas Eve service, or in future newsletters. Feel free to contact me at . Remember, too, some of the opportunities for giving here at Eliot: the Guest at Your Table collection for the UU Service Committee, the St. Pious collection for immigrant families, and the Giving Tree for Kirkwood children. (More).
Wishing you a peaceful solstice,
Rev. Bonnie
December RE Calendar
| Dec 5, Friday | 9:30 a.m. Play group meets in the nursery |
| Dec 7, Sunday | 9:15 a.m. Nursery - 5th grade RE classes 10:45 a.m. Nursery - Senior High RE classes Children K-5 in sanctuary first 15 minutes No Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual |
| Dec 13, Saturday | 9:00 a.m. to noon Pageant rehearsal - speaking parts 10:00 a.m. to noon Pageant rehearsal - non-speaking parts 10:00 a.m. to noon Holiday Party for all children |
| Dec 14, Sunday | Intergenerational Christmas Pageant at 9:15 & 10:45 Children in the sanctuary with parents - No RE classes. Nursery open & preschool childcare available in Room 107. 5:30 p.m. Caroling, meet in Adams Hall |
| Dec 21, Sunday | 9:15 a.m. Nursery - 5th grade RE classes Children K-5 begin their morning in Children's Chapel 10:45 a.m. Nursery - Senior High RE classes Children K-5 begin their morning in Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual |
| Dec 24, Wednesday | Christmas Eve Services at 4:00, 5:30, 8:00, & 10:00 p.m. Childcare in the nursery at the 4:00 & 5:30 p.m. services only |
| Dec 28, Sunday | Intergenerational Service One service at 10:00 a.m. only Children in the sanctuary with parents - No RE classes. Nursery open & preschool childcare available in Room 107. Potluck and games immediately following service. (see article) |
Christmas Pageant
Don't forget to mark your calendars to attend the Christmas Pageant. It will be presented on December 14 at both the 9:15 & 10:45 a.m. services.
Holiday Party
We hope that everyone, whether or not you are in the Christmas Pageant, will attend our annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. All children who are in the Pageant will be given time to participate in the festivities during the rehearsal.
We will have crafts, games, and refreshments for children of all ages. If you would like more information, please contact Joan Casey. Hope to see you all there!
Holiday Giving
In the spirit of the holidays, families have the opportunity here at Eliot Chapel to give in several ways:
- Stop by the Giving Tree in Adams Hall & choose an ornament with a child's age & gender. Buy a gift for the child, wrap it, & place it under the tree no later than December 21. For older children (10 & up), a gift certificate to Target or a similar nearby store is greatly appreciated.
- Collect change in the Guest at Your Table box and return it to Children's Chapel on December 21.
- Participate in the Immigrant & Refugee Support Ministry Program. For what to bring, please see below in this article.
The RE Department is again collecting household items for the St. Pius V Immigrant & Refugee Support Ministry Holiday Program. We ask that each RE class drop off the items listed below to Children's Chapel at either the Pageant Rehearsal & Holiday Program on Saturday, December 13 or on the morning of the Pageant on Sunday, December 14. Contributions should be new & unopened, please.
- Nursery ~ Baby supplies (eg diapers, wipes, lotions)
- Intermediate & Prekindergarten ~ Paper products (eg paper towels, toilet tissue, Kleenex)
- 2nd & 3rd grade ~ Personal notions (eg shampoo, deodorant, soap)
- 4th & 5th grade ~ First aid supplies (eg Neosporin, band aids, Tylenol)
- 6th grade ~ Miscellaneous (calendars, international prepaid phone cards, stationery)
Note to Parents
As a courtesy to other families and teachers, please don't bring sick children to class on Sundays. Thanks!
A good on-line resource to help families figure out ways to live their faith during the rest of the week is http://www.clfuu.org/betweensundays. Try it, you might find some interesting ideas - & feel free to pass them on to the rest of us!
Please Consider
Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. ~ Louisa May Alcott
Are your aspirations leading you to share a story with a child?
Teachers are needed this spring. Even if your child's class doesn't need a teacher, please consider helping out in one of these classes. Spring Semester begins January 25, and Teacher Orientation is right around the corner.
| 9:15 | Intermediate | 1 teacher |
| 10:45 | Intermediate | 2 teachers | Prekindergarten | 1 teacher | 1st grade | 2 teachers | 2nd grade | 3 teachers | 5th grade | 1 teacher |
Please don't let down our children! Contact Joan Casey right away ( ).
Cabin Fever Party
Susan Maginn will lead the intergenerational service on Sunday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m. It will be the only service that morning. The nursery will be open and preschool age childcare will be available in room 107. Afterwards, everyone is invited to a Cabin Fever Party in Adams Hall. Bring a dish for a potluck lunch (main course, salad, or dessert) and a favorite game to play.
Looking for:
Do you know American Sign Language? We are looking for someone to teach "Spirit of Life" to our children. If you can help, contact Reverend Bonnie.
Thank You's
***To Dave Snetsinger for performing his truly magical magic show at the Secret Pals party on October 24.
***To Anne Meneely for helping to plan the Holiday Party, even though she & her family couldn't attend.
***To Bill Carver for providing video equipment so our GATE partners could film their interviews.
Thanksgiving Essays
Many of our Eliot Chapel children wrote wonderful essays that expressed why they are thankful. We wish that everyone of them could have read their essays on Bread Service day! Here are some excerpts:
- "All of the things we are thankful for are right under our noses. Like our home, our bed. But most important of all is our family...." Carrie
- "I am thankful for friendship." Romeyn
- "I am thankful for my family. My family takes care of me, and makes sure that I am happy. I love my family, and I know that they love me!" Savannah
- "I am thankful for my parents. They are always there for me...They support me in everything I do. They know when I need them...." Jake
- "I'm thankful for: bread, friends, family, food, water, drinks, toys, clothing, flowers, our trees, and many other things." Jessie
Raising a UU Child
From now on, we will be meeting the second Sunday of each month at 7 p.m. at Hillary Babcock's house in Webster Groves (331 Marion). Please call for directions (918-0623). Our next topic, on December 14, will be bullying. We hope to see you there!
Did You Know...
...that we're going a-caroling?
Join us for Caroling on Sunday, December 14 at 5:30 pm. Meet in Adams Hall for cider and a sandwich, then off we go to carol in nearby neighborhoods. Bring a flash light and dress for the weather. For more information, contact Nancy Zvolanek at 636-225-8048, nancywildflower@aol.com .
Fun & Games
Have you been paying attention in Children's Chapel? See if you can match the character on the left with the story element on the right:
| 1. Eve | a. big fish | |
| 2. Jonah | b. lion's den | |
| 3. Daniel | c. Goliath | |
| 4. Joseph | d. Naomi | |
| 5. Ruth | e. Garden of Eden | |
| 6. David | f. coat of many colors |
For More News...
To find the answers to our match up, or which of our kids celebrate birthdays in December, or to find out about our new families, be sure to pick up a copy of REjuvenation! when you next visit Eliot.
This newsletter is a product of the Eliot Chapel Religious Education Department. Please direct any articles, comments, or questions to Joan Casey (Religious Education Director) at 314-821-0911 or at . An article must be submitted no later than the 20th of each month to ensure it appearing in the next issue.
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