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REjuvenation!
Religious Education News - January 2005
REjuvenation! ArchivesA Note from Reverend Bonnie
Teacher Support
Have you volunteered to teach Religious Education at Eliot? We expect all of our parents to teach at one time or another, as our program is a cooperative effort. We are very pleased to have a number of non-parents who sign up to teach year after year as well. These volunteers simply love getting to know the kids, and learning a little something new about Unitarian Universalism through the curriculum they teach. We hope that teaching is a form of spiritual growth for all concerned, children and volunteers alike.
We've been very pleased at the enthusiasm of our teachers this year. It takes over 100 adults to run our program. Usually, we start feeling a little anxious about getting all of our volunteers before the beginning of each semester. This year we had almost all of our positions for second semester (beginning Feb. 6) filled by the first Sunday in January! A huge 'Thank You' to all of you who have agreed to teach.
One of our Religious Education committees has been specially formed to help make your teaching experience as rewarding as possible. The Teacher Support Committee is filled with experienced teachers and other volunteers who have great ideas and tips about teaching. This group helps to plan the songs and appeals for teachers that you see on Sundays during the recruitment periods. But they do much more than that. They are also active in planning the Teacher Orientation meeting each semester (coming up on Jan. 17 for Spring Teachers). And they offer support with a coffee-and-conversation time before RE sometime in the middle of each semester. This special support committee is available to answer specific questions you may have or to recommend activities that might work well in your classroom. The committee chairperson is Lisa Beck.
If you truly enjoy teaching and feel you have good ideas to offer, we'd love you to help with this committee. It's just another good way to be involved in our diverse RE program. I'm continually amazed at all the wonderful people who provide a nurturing space for children at Eliot.
Don't forget to set aside Feb. 11 for the next Eliot Family Potluck!
Faithfully,
Bonnie
January RE Calendar
| January 2, 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 |
| January 9, Sunday |  9:15 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes onlyChildren 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 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room 10:45 am Adult GATE partners in class |
| January 14, Friday | 9:30 - 11:00 am Playgroup meets in the nursery
|
| January 16, Sunday |
Classes & Children's Chapel as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
| January 17, Monday | 7:00 - 9:00 pm Spring Teacher Orientation
Nursery - 6th grade |
| January 23, Sunday | Classes & Children's Chapel as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
| January 30, Sunday | Abilities Awareness Day Classes & Children's Chapel as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
Christmas Pageant & Holiday Party Thanks
I hope that many of you were able to
experience our annual Christmas Pageant and Holiday Party over the weekend
of December 11 & 12th. We had nearly 90 children in the pageant this year! There are so many people to thank for
their hard work: LK Wilhelms, for her steady
directorial hand; Nancy Collis
for cheerfully taking on her first year as our music director; Jim Davis for reworking the script
and assisting the director; Vivian
and Mike Antoine for helping out this year with the intention of
directing next year; Allison
Hendrix for playing the piano; Steve
Lawrence for setting up the sound system during the rehearsal and on
Sunday morning; Dave Storer for
doing sound at the second service; and Jan Chamberlin for directing the Angel Choir.
We also want to thank the many role leaders, who helped to contain and corral the various performers: at 9:15, Jeff Pack with the shepherds; Aimee Campbell and Barbara Bleisch with the angels; Ellen Cowell and Katherine Geier with the flock; and Angela Cook with the multitudes.
At 10:45, Margaret Gordon and Brian Ward with the shepherds; Mary Dingus and Teresa Reeves with the angels; Michelle Moller with the flock; Fiona Eagleson and Marissa Nauman with the multitudes; and Katy Henry with the narrators. A special thanks to Lisa Dahlgren for managing the group of students with speaking roles.
Our Holiday Party was also quite successful and we had a lively group of participants. Amy Kruger of the Special Events Committee deserves a huge thank you for finding ways to make treasure out of so many leftover craft supplies from prior years, not to mention hours of preparation work for the party. Also thanks to Kevin Moore and Jim Gender for creating the Yule Log room, complete with power tools. Individual party helpers were: Lisa Beck, Wendy Brooks, Catherine Burgess, Nicole Chaput, Debbie Fechter, Donna Fox, Julie Leemann, Susan Pritchett, Karen Schinsky, Rachel Spann, Nancy Spargo, and Laura Waldman. Thanks also to Camille Fried for bringing snacks and making an extra snack run when it looked like we were running out of food.
We also want to thank all of you who selected a child from the Giving Tree. You helped to make a young child’s Christmas a lot brighter!
Joan Casey
Youth Coffeehouse
The Youth Coffeehouse will be on February 5th at 7:00 pm! Do you sing, read poetry, play an instrument, act, dance? If you are an old pro or even if you are just developing your talents, we want you to be a part of this performing extravaganza! Children and youth of all ages are encouraged to perform, so please sign up on the sheets outside the Senior Youth room which is across from Joan's office or on the sheets on the way to Adams Hall. Sign up before Sunday January 31st. Any questions? Contact Susan Maginn at
.
Abilities Awareness - January 30
This program is for K-5th graders. It is a once a year time for the children to learn about differences. The topic for this year is Physical Differences. Our main method of teaching is through experience and interactive learning. Students in grades K - 3re will begin in Children's Chapel as usual. After the service, they will return to their usual classrooms to try different activities that will help deepen their understanding on the topic. Older students (4th/5th grade) will meet in their classroom first for activities and then will finish the morning in Children's Chapel.
If you have experience/insights in this year's focus and would like to share them, please contact Lisa Dahlgren at 636-394-6721.
Youth News
The Senior Youth hosted a lock-in November 19th. There were 14 youth and three adults. A great time was had by all. We planned the topics for our Sunday services in the upcoming months. The youth conducted a beautiful candlelight bread service. And of course, no lock-in would be complete without cheesy movies and pizza and great conversation until the wee hours.
The Junior Youth group had a social gathering at the Berger's house in November. It was well attended and lots of fun as well. We are excited to announce that the Junior Youth group will have a lock-in on January 14th! We are encouraging the youth to bring friends to the lock-in. Permission forms can be requested by emailing Susan Maginn at .
Spiritual Retreat
The Family Support and Outreach Committee is sponsoring a Winter Wonderland spiritual retreat for youngsters aged 3-6 and their families. We will be spending Saturday, Feb. 5, 9 am - noon, sharing and celebrating our uniqueness with our Eliot friends and family. Please make plans to join us.
Look for more details and registration information in upcoming fliers and announcements.
UU Parenting Group
Jan. 9th: A Healthy Diet for our kids, ourselves and our planet!
At the home of Juliette Crone-Willis
111 N. Clay
Ferguson, MO 63135
314-524-2002
Parenting Group meets at 7:00, come at 5:30 for potluck and screening of SUPERSIZE ME!
Playgroup Fun
If you've got a little one, come join us in the nursery on January 14 for play (the kids) and conversation (the adults). See you there!
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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