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REjuvenation!
Religious Education News - December 2004
REjuvenation! ArchivesA Note from Reverend Bonnie
Those Special Events
We've just had our very popular Secret Pal gift exchange and party. The kids really love getting those little gifts each week, and wondering who their pal may be. They love the Halloween party and the magician (our deepest thanks to Dave Snetsinger!). I love having a church party to take my girls to. It's truly one of the special times for our children, and they will remember Eliot adults long after they've grown up.
Now we are looking forward to the Christmas Pageant and the Holiday Party, another of our much-beloved traditions. Children from four years and up get to tell the story. We have a great time in the rehearsal and craft party as well as at the actual pageant. Yes, it's very traditional, and yet I think the children come to understand the importance of that traditional story.
We have several special events for our children and adults as the Eliot year goes on. From egg (and canned food) hunts at Easter to the week-long summer camp, there are regular events that children look forward to and count on. This part of our program is our "Special Events" calendar, and we have a group that takes responsibility for these events. This committee does less "meetings" and more "action." They do meet occasionally for coordination, but mostly people take on a piece of the action and make it happen. Special Events is a great place to help out at Eliot if your style is shorter and more defined jobs to do.
Our pageant, for example, has an overall coordinator who directs the pageant. We have coordinators for our "multitudes" (the four year olds), our sheep, angels, and shepherds. We have help with costumes and props. And then there's the party, crafts and snacks for after the Saturday rehearsal. It's all great fun for the kids, and not too much work for adults, if we have enough to make the jobs small.
We'd love to have a couple of people join in the coordination effort, in addition to those who just want to volunteer for a specific job at a specific event. Debbie Fechter is the chairperson of our Religious Education Special Events Committee. And, of course, Joan Casey can get you hooked up to the right people if you'd like to help out. We cannot overestimate the importance of these yearly events for our children. It makes them feel special that their church has special events just for them. They'll never know, of course, how many people it takes to make each of these things happen. They only know they can count on a Secret Pal, a Holiday Party, collecting food at Easter, or summer camp at their church home. Our heartfelt thanks to all the terrific adult volunteers who make magic happen for our kids every year!
Faithfully,
Bonnie
December RE Calendar
| December 5, Sunday |
Both services Children K-5th grade begin in service for first 15 minutes, then attend class as usual
10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
| December 10, Friday | 9:30-11:00am Playgroup meets in the nursery (See article) |
| December 11, Saturday | 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Christmas Pageant rehearsal
10:00 am - 12:00 noon Holiday Party in the lower level |
| December 12, Sunday |
Intergenerational Christmas Pageant Nursery in session/Preschool childcare in room 107 All other children attend service in sanctuary |
| December 19, Sunday | 9:15 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes only Children K-3rd begin their morning in Children's Chapel Children 4th-5th end their morning in Children's Chapel 10:45 am Nursery - Senior High classes Children K-3rd begin their morning in Children's Chapel Children 4th-5th end their morning in Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual |
| December 26, Sunday | Intergenerational Service at 10:00 am only Nursery in session/Preschool childcare in room 107 All other children attend service in sanctuary |
Spring Teachers Needed
It may seem early to already be thinking about teachers for 2nd Semester (February 6 - June 12), but it will be February in a blink of the eye and we have a lot of teacher slots left to fill between now and then. So before all those nice Teacher Support people have to get up and start singing and dancing during the services, I want to give all of you an opportunity to sign up to teach some really wonderful children.
- At 9:15 we have five openings:
- Intermediate 1 - two teachers needed
- Intermediate 2 - two teachers needed
- Pre-kindergarten - one teacher needed
- At 10:45 we have ten (count 'em!) openings:
- Intermediate - one teacher needed
- Kindergarten/1st grade - four teachers needed
- 4th/5th grade - five teachers needed
(Note - at 10:45 we have two combined classes for Kindergarten and 1st grade and two combined classes for 4th and 5th grade.)
Please don't hesitate to call or email right away to reserve a class!
Christmas Pageant
Mark your calendars for the Christmas Pageant. It will be preformed at both services on Sunday, December 12. The Pageant rehearsal is from9:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 11. LK Wilhelms will direct again this year and Nancy Collis will make her debut as the Pageant's music director.
Children Pre-Kindergarten and up are especially encouraged to attend the Pageant with their families. The nursery will be open as usual and there will be pre-school childcare in room 107 as well.
Holiday Party - Everyone's Invited!
Our Holiday Party will be on Saturday, December 11, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in the lower level of the Religious Education wing. Children who are rehearsing for the Pageant that morning will be allotted time to participate in the Party. All families are invited for crafts, games, refreshments and just plain fun. We hope to see you there!
Holiday Giving Tree
On December 5, we will once again have a Christmas tree set up in Adams Hall with "ornaments' on it. Each ornament has a child's gender and age on it. Pluck an ornament off the tree and purchase a gift ($20-$30 range) for your child. Return the wrapped gift under the tree, using the ornament as the gift tag, no later than Sunday, December 19. Gifts will be distributed to needy children through the South Side Day Nursery.
Holiday Services
The Intergenerational Christmas Eve services will be held at 5:00, 6:30, 8:00 and 10:00 pm on December 24. Childcare will be provided in the nursery at both the 5:00 and 6:30 pm services.
There will also be one intergenerational service at 10:00 am on Sunday, December 26. The nursery will be open as usual and preschool childcare will be available in room 107.
Guest at Your Table
Guest at Your Table boxes should be returned to Children's Chapel on December 19. If you did not receive a box, you may pick one up in Children's Chapel or 's office. Proceeds benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
The UUSC does important work around the globe to promote justice. For more information about the programs of the organization, please go online to www.uusc.org.
UU Parenting Group
UU Parenting: Trying to find meaning in the mayhem of the Christmas holidays? Kids seeing December as a present free-for-all? We will be discussing how to make the holidays a more relaxing and meaningful experience for the family. Our next meeting will be Sun., Dec. 5 at 7.00 pm. It will be at the home of Tracey Koch. Please call Tracey for directions. See you there!
Attention UU Parents!
Are you frustrated with the public school system? Do you want more input into your child's education? Not sure where to begin? We are a small group of parents looking for an alternate way to educate our children. We are exploring the possibility of developing a homeschool co-op. Join us in learning more about homeschooling and co-op opportunities. Please call Tracey Koch or JoAnne Polley if you have any interest, thoughts, or questions.
YUUth Artists
If you were unable to attend one of the art workshops held this fall but would still like to submit artwork to be displayed in the Eliot YUUth Art Show, you can turn in your masterpiece(s) through Sunday, December 12. All K-12 youth, especially those in the junior and senior high classes, are encouraged to show their talents. You may give your finished work to Eliot RE Director Joan Casey.
The Playgroup Returns!
Please join other parents and young ones in the nursery on Friday, December 10, from 9:30 - 11:00 am for playgroup fun. We had a nice sized group of attendees in November and we'd love to have you come too!
Lost and Found
If you've lost it, we may have found it! The RE Lost and Found box is in the hallway by the soda machine and is overflowing with clothing. I also have some items in my office (a ring, a yellow plastic bracelet, a popular toy) that may belong to you. Please take a moment to check!
New Families at Eliot Chapel
Getting to know new families at Eliot Chapel can be a rewarding experience. Take a moment the next time you're in Adams Hall munching donuts to say hello to a new face!
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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