Having FFUUN
Lately, I’ve had a question in the back of my mind, “How many UUs does it take to have fun?” Let me explain.
This summer, I have been reflecting and talking with the Family Ministry Team about what’s been working well and what needs a closer examination. It has become apparent since the pandemic that our team’s focus has been on making intergenerational connections and on building community, rather than solely on families with children and youth. It seems that for many folks, our name “Family Ministry” alludes to those with youngsters at home.
Then one night I had a flash of a vision – why not change our name to fit what we’re doing across the ages – having fun! I shared this flash with the Family Ministry Team and we decided on a new name, with the perfect acronym: Faith Formation UU Network – FFUUN! Our mission is to engage and anchor all ages to grow in our UU faith. And to answer the question above, the more the merrier! Join us on September 13 at 7p on Zoom to have FFUUN too.
Of course, we’ll have fun all year long! I am pleased to announce the schedule for faith formation programs outside of Sunday mornings to engage, anchor, and grow all year long. We’ll start the year off with a Dance Party on the Lawn on September 4 at 6:30p, hosted by the Lively Spirit Dancers and FFUUN. Our middle and high school youth will have a lock-in from the 19th-20th to kick off their year.
We have several programs in October too. A Spiritual Retreat on October 3 from 9a-2p led by Renee Gatsis, with lunch and childcare provided. We will continue exploring spiritual practices on the first Wednesdays of the month from November through May with Rev. Eileen facilitating. A great way to start each month!
And for something completely different, join me October 4 from 2-4p at the Evanston Main Library for the Respect Games. This is a program open to the community that I am hosting with Edwina Cowell from the Spiritual Playdate organization. It will be an afternoon for those ages 6+ to explore what respect means through games and activities, and meet others from different backgrounds.
Our well-received program, Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors, resumes on October 7 with a visit from Josee Starr from the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum in Evanston. We are then invited to their powwow on October 12, time to be announced soon. We will gather on October 20 to reflect on our learnings and experiences.
For those who enjoy camping, we’re having our first fall campout at Rock Cut State Park October 16-18. We’re getting sites in the Plum Grove Loop, so grab one too or just join us for the day on Saturday.
As we head into election season, we are offering two programs from Braver Angels Illinois: Skills for Disagreeing Better on October 27 and Family and Politics on November 10. Braver Angels seeks to de-polarize the political divide in our country with workshops and more.
We end October with a Friends & Families Halloween Campfire on the 30th, complete with ghost stories, costumes, and s’mores. This is always a great time!
So how many UUs does it take to have fun? As many as we can, as long as you’re there too.
In Faith,
Kathy
