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Family Volunteerism

"Put One Foot in Front of the Other"
By Debbie Fechter

(Reverend Bonnie is on study leave. This month's article is the first in a series about family volunteerism.)

"Put one foot in front of the other, honey," were my actual words as my kindergartner and I trudged through our first four mile MS Walk. It was grueling. We were soaking wet. The Band-Aid on my daughter's knee was starting to dangle. If I could have figured out a detour to cut short this misstep in judgment on my part, I would have. How stupid to think a 6 year old child could walk four miles without any preparation! I didn't really know where we were, so to veer from our marked path could have resulted in an even longer trek. We continued on….

It all started off great. A few weeks earlier at a family gathering my oldest daughter overheard adults talking about Aunt Theresa (diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1992) and the upcoming MS Walk. She very sweetly announced to the group, "I want to help Aunt Theresa. I want to walk too." Now isn't that sweet! I was so proud (that my kid wanted to go for a walk - ???). Anyway, I suggested Frances draw a picture and we put together a little letter to ask her friends at school and basketball teammates to donate to the MS Walk. The picture was darling - "STOP MS" - and all the S's were written backwards. Once again I was so proud (my daughter agreed to draw a picture - ???). In the letter she asked her kid friends to donate $1 and her grown up friends to donate $5. The letters went out and we were shocked that over $300 in donations came in. Wow! This was so fun!!!!

Walk Day arrived. It was sunny with a light breeze. Thousands of people gathered at Shaw Park in Clayton. There was a band, balloons, and cheerleaders. There was energy and excitement. However, I did give pause when my daughter complained a little about the walk from the parking lot to the START Line. My slight concern faded when we met up with Aunt Theresa, cousins, grandma, aunts and uncles, with lots of hugs, smiles, and encouragement. We were off!

I let her set the pace. It wasn't long before the throngs of people spread out and everyone we knew gradually smiled and walked right past us. Soon, very soon, it was just the two of us. Although we were surrounded by people, we were on our own with about 3 ½ miles to go. Then the storm clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and a heavy downpour soaked us. My daughter fell and skinned her knee. A kind woman slipped a Band-Aid in my hand as she walked right past us. My daughter wanted me to carry her. That didn't last long. She was a big kindergartner. So "just keep putting one foot in front of the other, honey" became my mantra. It still is in a less literal way.

We have continued to do the MS Walk every year since. My younger daughter joined us for the walk the very next year. I was smarter however. We practiced walking before and after school and gradually increased our distance during the month before Walk Day. We were ready for the actual walk.

However, we are still challenged. It isn't easy to stay committed. Just like the walk itself, this endeavor is one that is mostly just our family working together. We spend a lot of time walking side by side getting ready for the walk or sitting side by side addressing envelopes or counting money. Every March and April it's our thing. Those first few years I had moments when I considered skipping a year. We all have those years when it seems there's no room in your life for one more thing (e.g. when a parent is sick or you've changed jobs). Finally, after six years it has become something we just fold into our lives. Without even thinking about it, we all begin to gear up after the first of the year. The girls start talking about the pictures they want to draw for this year's letters. We all start thinking about how to expand our efforts so we can reach more people. We are doing more but somehow it seems easier. Why?

It recently occurred to me that the MS Walk is a lot like Halloween. We would never think of foregoing Halloween. However we all know that figuring out costumes, committing to Secret Pals, helping with school parties, and taking off work to watch a parade all require extra time and energy. Some years you'd just like to "opt out" of Halloween. But somehow we just fold all the Halloween preparations into our lives. It's just something we do. The MS Walk is just something WE do.

When my 6 year old daughter finally crossed the finish line that first year it was truly magical. She raised her arms in the most genuine expression of victory. She'd made it! She felt it! She's never forgotten it! I'm so glad I didn't cheat her out of it by finding a way to quit. We'll keep walking. Some years we'll just have to "put one foot in front of the other!"

April RE Calendar

Think Global, Act Local

Think global, act local. You've heard it before, I know. Reading the paper or watching the news, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the state our world is in. We all want to make our world a better place, but sometimes it's hard to figure out a way to even get started.

If service is our prayer, then I have a challenge for you. On April 1, the RE Department begins its annual drive for teachers for both the fall and spring semesters of the 2007-2008 church year. Please consider teaching a class next year. This is your opportunity to really make a difference in our church community, and our larger community as well.

We try to make teaching as simple as possible. Volunteers teach in teams of three, which means that teachers alternate lead teaching, assisting, and having the Sunday off all semester. Audiotapes of the service are available on request for any Sunday that is missed because of teaching commitments. Teachers attend an orientation session before the start of the semester and are given a complete curriculum to follow. The Teacher Support Committee and I are available to help with any problems or concerns. Each week the lead teacher receives comprehensive instructions and help with locating supplies. And in the end, you'll be recognized for your service at a special service devoted to our volunteers.

Of course, no matter how much we try to keep teaching simple and pleasant, it requires a commitment - of your energy, your time, and your spirit. Not every second will be wonderful. You may have to dig deep some mornings to pull yourself together and do it. You might have a child who challenges you in ways you never dreamed. But please, take the challenge. Because truly, when you educate a child, you can change the world.

Hope to see you at the RE table!

Easter Services

Note that there will be three Easter services on April 1, at 9:15, 10:15, and 11:15 am. The nursery will be open as usual for all three services. Preschoolers will have an Easter party in room 107, with an Easter egg hunt as part of the festivities.

Children grades Kindergarten and up will begin the service with their parents in the sanctuary. Kindergarten through 5th graders will be invited into Adams Hall during the service. Younger children (Kindergarten and 1st graders) will have a canned food hunt while the older children share in a discussion with Reverend Bonnie. All of the K - 5th grade children will return to the sanctuary and their parents before the end of the service.

Donuts and bagels will not be offered on Easter.

GATE Partners

Don't forget the Seder Dinner is Sunday, April 1 at 5:30 pm!

GATE Informational Meeting

Fifth graders and their parents will want to make a point of attending the GATE Informational Meeting on Sunday, April 29 from 10:30 - 11:00 in room 001 (the GATE classroom). The GATE program will be an important part of your 6th grader's faith development. Parents will meet with Carol Moreland, this year's GATE Coordinator, and Debbie Fechter, next year's coordinator. If you have a 5th grade student, you won't want to miss this meeting!

Canned Foods Needed

We need canned foods for the annual Easter morning canned food hunt. Please drop off your donations in Joan Casey's office no later than April 1. And please, only leave cans (no glass) and check the expiration dates before leaving them!

Family Volunteerism

Right now, our Kindergarten through 5th graders are focusing on Social Justice, Pillar 4 of our Religious Education program. This month's featured article tells the story of one family's experience with helping our larger community. We're curious about how the rest of you are making the world a better place. If your family has a particular favorite charity or community service project, we'd love to hear about it. Perhaps you compost, or recycle, or visit nursing homes. Please see about submitting an article about your experiences. We'll be talking more about Social Justice and recognizing our work at the Milestone Service on June 10.

Goodbye

It is with heavy hearts but best wishes that we say goodbye to the Cutshaw family - Stacey, Wendy, Cammie, and Gabe. Stacey starts a new job at the CW station in Indianapolis on April 1, and Wendy and the kids will soon follow. We'll miss you all!

Summer Camp 2007

Summer Camp forms are now available outside of Joan Casey's office. Camp is for kids entering Kindergarten - 5th grade next fall. We will be exploring Stories the Hebrew Prophets Told from August 6 - 10, 9:00 am to noon. For more information, pick up a copy of the forms. We also need adult and youth volunteers, so see if you're interested. We're looking forward to a great week of activities and hope you can make it.

Children's Library
HELP WANTED

If you love books, especially children's books, then you might be just the person we're looking for. The Family Support and Outreach Committee would like to find someone who is interested in helping manage the Children's Library. This volunteer would work with the RE Department and the Library Committee and focus on keeping the Children's Library the wonderful resource it is. Responsibilities may include suggesting books for the library, being the contact person for suggesting books, and keeping track of library books. If you have any interest in helping out, or even sharing the position, please see or Juliette Crone-Willis.

It would be a great opportunity for a family project!

Playgroup Fun

If you've been craving a little adult conversation in your day, then we're the group for you! Playgroup is on Friday, April 13 at 9:30 in the nursery. All parents with tots are invited. Hope to see you there!

UU Parenting group

Join our UU Parenting group on Yahoo anytime. Just go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uuparenting to get started.

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 on the wall leading into Adams Hall. For More News... For April birthdays and news about our newest families, please pick up a copy of the April issue of REjuvenation!. Religious Education Department Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Programs Minister Joan Casey, Religious Education Director Mishael Eastabrook, 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