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A Note from Reverend Bonnie

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Most of us remember that time, oh, so long ago when relationships were fresh, and all we could think about was one another! Sometimes we really miss those days, but it would be hard to live with all that intensity all of the time, wouldn't it? Yet, it's very important to put time and intention into our relationships. Time into the marriage does benefit the children, even if it isn't directly time with them. Make time for the Introduction to Couples Enrichment workshop coming April 2 (see upcoming newsletters for details).

And speaking of making a sense of excitement and belonging last, the same is true for anything else that is important in your life. We can't commit to everything, and we need to choose carefully what will take up our time. You might have come into Eliot with a sense of discovery and finally "coming home." You may have been thrilled at the chance for an open-minded, affirming religious education program. But over time, the kids' distractions (or your own) make it easier and easier to say "let's skip church this weekend." This is the time of year we start to see Religious Education attendance slip a little. Remember, even more important than all the great songs and discussions and crafts that go on in RE are the relationships among kids and with the teachers. What kids remember from their church experience is not the specifics of the curriculum, but the quality of the friendships. That takes time.

Yet, we also work hard to provide a good program. We'll be starting our World Religions pillar in February, then moving to Social Action in April. Our teachers are planning for classes, and looking forward to getting to know your kids! Consider, among all the distractions of life, what you want most for your kids. Plan those activities first and then put in the less important stuff. As Steven Covey says, fill the jar with the big rocks, because the little ones will crowd them out.

But don't forget the chocolate!

Rev. Bonnie

February RE Calendar

Thank You Fall Teachers

Thanks to all the wonderful people who volunteered to teach during the fall semester. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!

9:15 Mike Antoine, Lea Ann Baker, Paul Bauer, Lee Brower*, Ellen Cowell, Wendy Cutshaw, Susan Duncan, Jamie Fitzgerald*, Kim Fitzgerald, Kathleen Geier, Janet Gleason, Jennifer Henderson*, Tracey Howe-Koch, Cordell Jeffries, Julie Jordan*, Bhairavi Kinder, William Lemon*, Eva Merrell, Katy Miller, Jeff Morris, Linda Munsell*, Christine Nolan*, Lynne Ramsey, Sandra Rhodes, Eve Sedovic, Rich Vaughn*, Dianne Wagner, Rich Wagner and Laura Williams.

10:45 Christy Berger, Brent Bledsoe, Trish Champion, Barb Crowley*, Denise DeGhelder, Betsy Fallstrom*, Camille Fried, Teresa Gerber, Cindy Haynes, Robin Horning, Holly Ingraham, Julie Leemann, Kurt Leemann, Leslie Loving. Jim Lyonfields, Shawna Lyonfields, Eileen Manganaro, Joan McCready, Marlene Mestres, Kevin Mitchell, Lynn Murphy*, Marissa Nauman, Kelly Ogonoski, Renae Quinn, Douglas Riggs, Sandy, Riggs, Judy Stucki-Simeon*, Mary Taylor*, Tracy Turner-Bumberry, Brent Vaughn*, Lisa Ward, Harold Waxman, LK Wilhelms, Amy Williford and Cat Wood. And not to be forgotten, thanks to our amazing youth helpers!

*Denotes teachers who don't have a child in the RE program.

Spring Semester

The Spring Semester started on January 29. Students Kindergarten through 5th grade will look at World Religions (Pillar 3) until March 26 and will finish the year talking about Social Justice issues (Pillar 4). The regular church year will end on June 11.

During the World Religions pillar, all children K - 5th will begin their morning in Children's Chapel together and then attend their classes. Regular Chapel services will start up again on April 9.

The Curriculum Committee plans to kick off the World Religions pillar with a Chinese New Year celebration. On February 5. All students K - 5th will meet in Children's Chapel that morning. After the service, they will go down to classrooms 001 - 003 (where they should be picked up at the end of the service) to participate in a variety of fun activities to celebrate the New Year. Did you know that 2006 is the Year of the Dog? If you were born in the Year of the Dog, that means you are honest and faithful to those you love but you tend to worry too much and find fault with others. If you want to find out what year you were born in, come to the celebration!

Youth Coffeehouse

Come to Eliot Chapel on Saturday, Feb 4 to experience the varied talents of our Eliot youth. We have a lot of exciting acts on the schedule for the evening. The festivities begin at 7:00 pm. If you have any questions, please speak to Susan Maginn, Youth Director.

The coffeehouse follows the GATE Spaghetti Dinner, which starts at 5:30 in Adams Hall. All GATE partners are expected to attend the coffeehouse after dinner. See you there!

Inclement Weather

If the weather outside is frightful, and you are assigned to teach that day, please make your best judgment about driving to Eliot. Many of you have a long way to come. We do not want anyone to get hurt trying to get to church. We will always be able to make do with the people who are able to make it here. Please call the office and leave a message for if you will not be coming in.

We are in the process of writing a more comprehensive, church-wide policy about Sunday services when the weather is bad, which we will keep you updated on. In the meantime, please use your best judgment. Thanks!

Did You Know?

…the cost to fund R.E. at Eliot is approximately $425 per child per year; however, our "fee" is only $50! "Costs" include staff, supplies, curricula, snacks & special programs necessary to continue the high-quality department we can be proud to be part of and have our children brought up in - not to mention heating and cooling and lighting the space! Obviously the $50 per child (or so) that we each pay does not cover the required expenses.

As a community, Eliot Chapel budgets and supports the Religious Education Department through the pledges of all members. Religious Education here at Eliot has close to 300 children each year, including toddlers and youth. This ambitious program relies on the committed support of over 100 volunteer teachers every year as well as many committee and council members who help make it all possible every year through their donation of time and treasure.

Some ways to keep our program strong and successful into the next year and beyond:

*As parents with children in the RE program, we are asked to teach a minimum of four semesters per child. This has been enriching for me personally and has helped my husband and me in our spiritual growth as we experience UUism from the unique perspective of educator rather than seeker.

*Consider the costs per child when making your financial pledge to Eliot.

*When not teaching, consider volunteering to assist with other RE program enrichment. Sign up as a substitute, offer to provide childcare at an event, participate in supervising craft activities at a party or whatever else the program might need.

Liberal religion is not an accident. The RE program at Eliot Chapel works very hard at educating all of our children. Please be sure to do your part as we strive to create the very best RE program possible.

Angie Bowland
Family Support and Outreach Committee Chair

Online UU Parenting Support

We've created a uuparenting group on Yahoo. Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uuparenting to get started.

Help Wanted!

** We're thrilled that we've got a bumper crop of babies already here and expected in the near future. The Family Support and Outreach Committee would like to be able to help out new parents by providing some meals. If you would be willing to help out or would like more information, please contact Joan Casey or Angie Bowland, the chair of the committee. Her email address is: abowland@sbcglobal.net. We hope to hear from a lot of you!

**We also need folk who would be interested in helping with childcare for some of our events. We need adults over 18 years of age who can be background screened. If you are interested in earning $10 an hour, please speak to Joan Casey for further details.

Have a Milestone in your life to share? Have a Milestone in your life to share? Know of an Eliot student living his or her faith? Please contact Joan Casey so that we can share your family's news in REjuvenation!, our children's RE newsletter, and on our RE bulletin board leading into Adams Hall. For More News... To learn more about new families, new babies and February birthdays please pick up an issue of REjuvenation! the next time you're at Eliot. Religious Education Department Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Programs Minister Joan Casey, Religious Education Director Susan Maginn, Youth Director 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. Back To Top