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REjuvenation!
Religious Education News - Summer 2005
REjuvenation! ArchivesA Note from Reverend Bonnie
Summer Reading
Do you have a summer reading list? Or do you have hesitations and anxiety about answering your kids' questions about religion? Or maybe both? I have a couple of suggestions.
How Do You Spell God? Answers to the Big Questions from Around the World by Marc Gelman and Monsignor Thomas Hartman is a book that parents and kids can read together that explores open approaches to religious questions such as: what is religion? how are religions the same? how are they different? what is scripture? and so on. Gellman is a Rabbi and Hartman a Catholic priest. Their approach in this book affirms the truth in all the world's religions, and tries to explain some of the big questions in kid-accessible language. They also have a quirky sense of humor. Reading level is ages 9-12. You could read it a chapter at a time as a family and have discussions. Some of the concepts could be explained to younger children, depending on their interest and attention span! It's also a helpful book for parents to sort through some of the big questions and to see how these two non-dogmatic religious leaders think about them. The book is not Unitarian Universalist (nor is UUism mentioned that I've seen so far) but I think its larger perspective is compatible with our approach.
You might also check out the UU Kids Book by Charlene Brotman, Ann Fields, and Barbara Marshfield or the Kids' Book of Awesome Stuff by Charlene Brotman, illus. by Jeila Gueramian. These are both activity books, with puzzles, games, and crafts. The UU Kids Book introduces kids to UU history and liberal religious thoughts, while the Kids Book of Awesome Stuff talks about the marvels of nature, from the Big Bang to snowflakes (starting age 8).
For younger readers, we have lots of picture books in our library. I recommend books by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso (for Bible stories and views on God) or Byrd Baylor (for nature celebration). Also, browse the UUA Bookstore on-line. The activity books listed above are available there.
Happy summer!
Faithfully,
Bonnie
Summer RE Calendar
| June 5, Sunday | 9:15 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes only 10:45 am Nursery - Senior High classes Both services: Children K-3rd grade begin morning in Children's Chapel Children 4th-5thgrade end morning in Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual 12:00 noon - RE Council mini retreat room 001 |
| June10, Friday | 9:30-11:00am - Playgroup meets in the nursery
|
| June 12, Sunday | Final Sunday of church year Both services: Children K-5th grade begin in service for first 15 minutes, then attend class as usual 9:15 am - GATE recognition during service 10:45 am - Graduating Senior recognition during service 10:45 am - GATE closing ceremony in Children's Chapel followed by brunch in room 001 |
| June 19, Sunday | Summer Services Begin Intergenerational Father's Day Service NOTE: Summer services are at 10:00 am only Nursery open/Preschool childcare provided in room 107 Children Kindergarten and up attend adult service |
| June 26, Sunday | Summer RE starts Nursery open Preschool class in room 107 Multi- age class (children entering Kindergarten in the fall and up) meets in Children's Chapel (see article) |
| July 3, Sunday | Independence Day Holiday Nursery open/Childcare provided in room 107 |
| July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, August 21, August 28
Sundays | 10:00 am service only Nursery open/Preschool class in room 107 Multi- age class in Children's Chapel |
| July 8, Friday | 9:30-11:00am - Playgroup meets in the nursery
|
| August 1 - 5, Monday through Friday | 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Eliot Chapel Summer Camp (see article)
|
| August 12, Friday | 9:30-11:00am - Playgroup meets in the nursery
|
| September 4, Sunday | Intergenerational Music Service Nursery open/Childcare provided in room 107 |
| September 11, Sunday | Incoming Sunday 9:15 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes only 10:45 am Nursery - Senior High classes Both services Children K-5th grade begin in service for first 15 minutes, then attend class as usual |
Summer Religious Education
Parents - Don't forget to register your children for Summer RE classes if you plan on attending summer services. Children K and up will attend a multi age class with the focus on Native American Spirituality. The nursery will be open as usual and there will be a preschool age class for children 2 ½ and up (must be potty trained.)
Summer Camp 2005
Don't forget to get your registration in for our 9th Eliot Chapel Summer Camp. Children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade in the fall are invited to join us for a fun-filled week (August 1 - 5) with the theme "Stories Jesus Told." We're hoping to see a lot of you there!
Mitrata Nepal Night
Thanks to the hard work of our 6th grade GATE partners, the Mitrata Nepal Orphanage fundraiser brought in $1428.19.
YUUth Artwork Ready for Pick Up
The families whose children had artwork displayed at the YUUth Art Show earlier this year may pick up their masterpieces in Joan Casey's office.
Book Sale FUNDRAISER
Summertime's almost here, and you know what that means - that it's time to go Barefoot -- with Barefoot Books, that is! Books from Barefoot Books, an independent children's publishing company, will be on display in Adams Hall on June 5 and June 12. All proceeds will go directly to Eliot Chapel. Check the display out in Adams Hall. Please call Susan Duncan at (314) 846-2686 with any questions about the books or the sale.
Father's Day
Cover Contest
Hey kids, do you like to draw? We would like to have an original picture on the cover of the Father's Day order of service. Drawings should be in black and white (but with no heavy dark places - that gums up our copy machine!) and the size of an order of service cover (5x8 inches).
Please forward your submissions to no later than June 5.
Bring Mementos
Also, don't forget to bring something that reminds you of your father to share with others during the service.
Good Works
Alicia Boelhauf, our Hosea House volunteer had these kind words for our RE children:
"I just want to let the RE kids know that their efforts in collecting canned foods for Easter have really made a difference. I took a brimming trunk full of Eliot's contributions to Hosea House and their cupboards had a LOT of blank space. On behalf of Hosea House food pantry, and the grateful St. Louis families in need, I wanted to say thank you, and bravo to Eliot's RE classes for living their values!"
Teachers Needed for Fall
Remember that we can't start up in the fall without all of our teaching slots filled. Parents, please remember that we are a cooperative program - and if parents don't fulfill their teaching commitments, we don't have a program. If you haven't taught in a year or two or haven't met your obligation (a minimum of 4 semesters per child), please consider signing up for our last fall slot - 9:15 Kindergarten. We need you! Please talk to today.
Playgroup Fun
Due to popular demand, the playgroup will continue to meet in the nursery during the summer. We always meet the 2nd Friday of each month, so we hope to see some new faces on June 10, July 8 and August 12!
Youth News
Senior Youth Group News
Youth Group members went to Brookfield, WI for a youth conference on April 29. They did workshops and had about 12 social action projects to choose from. Some youth promoted a future walk to end family violence while others went to various group homes and cleaned, or went to not-for-profit resale shops to help sort clothes.
On May 14th the Sr. Youth Group participated in a food drive in Creve Couer hosted by the Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls. On May 21st there was a St. Louis Youth con at First Church, which many of the Eliot youth helped to organize. This gave UU youth in the area a chance to get to know each other.
Jr. Youth News
Some parents and youth from the Jr. Youth Group got together on May 1st to talk about the curriculum for next year, Neighboring Faiths, and to plan fabulous social activities and social action for the Jr. Youth next year. To complete the year, there was a Jr. Youth/GATE lock-in on May 20th, welcoming the 6th graders into the youth group.
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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