Children This Sunday

FFD Features: November 14, 2024

ALLERGY ALERT: Your child may be exposed to potential allergens this coming Sunday.  Please see the end of this message for more information.

Hello Friend,

This past Sunday, your child explored gratitude from a Native American perspective.  They read “We Are Grateful,” and created class gratefulness collages.  These collages will be featured during the intergenerational service on November 24.  This is also the day we will all sing this month’s Simple Song, #1069 “Ancient Mother” (Lyrics in the attached ‘Taking It Home’ document).

As for this coming Sunday, it will be a Children’s Chapel Sunday.  Your child will hear about the First Thanksgiving from the perspective of the Wampanoag, and then they will learn about ‘The Three Sisters’ (squash, beans, & corn) – a staple of indigenous agriculture.  Please note, your child may be exposed to these potential allergens as part of their lesson…

  • Corn
  • Beans
  • Squash
  • Eggs (4th – 6th Grade)
  • Dairy (4th – 6th Grade)
  • Soybeans (4th – 6th Grade)

Finally, as we are headed into the holiday season, please note these important upcoming dates…

  • November 24: Harvest Celebration Potluck (After Church)
  • December 1: One-Room Schoolhouse Lesson – PJ & Movie Day (learning about the nativity)
  • December 14: Church Wide Holiday Party – Holiday Hoopla (12:30 PM to 3:30 PM)
  • December 21: Solstice Celebration (5 PM for Dinner, 6 PM for Service)
  • December 22: One-Room Schoolhouse Lesson – Holiday Workshop (making gifts)
  • December 24: Christmas Eve Service (time still TBD)
  • December 29: One-Room Schoolhouse Lesson – New Year Ritual (looking back & letting go)

In faith, in community, in love,
– M 

Not registered for Family Faith Development? You can register anytime by following this link.

Special Announcements

A flier for "Parenting UU," a small group discussion series for "new" parents facilitated by Mx. Meredith Plummer. Fridays: February 7, February 21, and March 7. From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Potluck Dinner at 6:00 PM. Childcare provided. Register by days end Wednesday, February 5, 2025 by contacting Mx. Meredith.

Taking It Home: November 10, 2024

On Gratitude

Jack D. Forbes, in his Daedalus article Indigenous Americans: Spirituality and Ecos, says “An overriding characteristic of Native North American religion is that of gratitude, a feeling of overwhelming love and thankfulness for the gifts of the Creator and the earth/universe.”  Gratitude can sometimes be hard to find in today’s world.  The frenetic pace of everyday life can leave us with little time to think, let alone find thanks.  But, according to Harvard Health, giving thanks can make us happier.  It “helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”  If you are looking to pick up gratitude as a spiritual practice, here are three things you can do…

  • Use your 5-senses to mentally catalog the sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells you are grateful for.
  • Write “Thank You” notes
  • Keep a gratitude journal

Simple Song

Sign this simple song with your children so that they may sign along in an upcoming service.  A recording of the song can be found here.  

Singing the Living Tradition #1069 – Ancient Mother

Ancient Mother,

I hear you calling.

Ancient Mother,

I hear your song.

Ancient Mother,

I feel your laughter.

Ancient Mother,

I taste your tears.

Suggested Resources

Here are some additional resources on paganism for adults and children…