August has always been a month of mixed feelings for me. As a youngster, my family went on just one vacation when I was six years old to visit family in Marquette, Michigan. I have quite a few memories of that trip – partially because it was the only one we ever took, and partially because my younger sister and I got lost in the pine forest while there. Why my parents let us roam around in a strange place, I’ll never know! Things are certainly different these days.

While my family didn’t travel, the summer months were filled with adventures around our block. Bicycle riding and roller skating were favorites. Playing jacks, spoons, and Ghost in the Graveyard, and getting hot and sweaty until it was time to go inside to enjoy a cold bowl of ice cream. Time at the local pool with swimming lessons, the smell of chlorine, suntan lotion (not recommended now!), and sunshine. 

My sister and I have birthdays at the end of August, which was exciting as long as we didn’t think about having to go to school. There were years when school would start on my birthday, which was not fun. No one would know ahead of time that it was my birthday, and so it was never acknowledged. I always felt bad for those of us with summer birthdays.

However, the start of the school year had some perks. The best one was our once-a-year shopping trip for clothes and shoes for school and gym class, not to mention all of the supplies. I reveled at choosing my crayons, folders, notebooks, and pens! The smell of new notebook paper and markers was heaven to me! 

When I think about those summertime memories, I can’t help but wonder if our young people have similar experiences about summer and the start of a new school year. My hope is that all of our kids and youth have fond memories and feelings about their time in our community. And while it is important that they learn academic skills, sports, and hobbies, it is imperative that they learn about and reflect the values we uphold as Unitarian Universalists: justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interconnectedness, generosity, and of course, love. 

All of us here at UCE are helping our young people learn these values and demonstrating how to live them in our daily lives. Whether you volunteer with a group of kids or not, they are watching what we do and hearing what we say. They are forming their faith as well as informing ours. I often hear adult volunteers say how surprised they were to be more of a learner than a teacher when working with young people, and that their own faith formation grew by doing so. Some also say that they feel more hopeful about the future by hearing the kids and youth converse on topics beyond their years. Their imaginations and insights are creative and inspiring!

This year in our Faith Formation Program, we continue to build community and relationships while exploring our UU values and striving to make the world a better place. We’ll be using a variety of curricula during the year for those in 1st-9th grades, such as Soul Matters, Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints, Games to Build Community, and ChUUrchcraft. For our youngest, Ann Gadzikowski continues to create a special program based on storytelling. You can see an example here. 

If any of this has piqued your interest, we have volunteer spots open for Chalice Children (pre/K) and for Heads, Hearts, and Hands (1st-5th). You can learn more about the year ahead by joining us at our Meet & Greet on August 23 from 10-11:30a. This is for any parent, grandparent, or curious person, and those who will be a volunteer. RSVP here by August 19 to help in planning for childcare and food. And I’m happy to talk with you more at any time, of course!

Our Middle School Youth Group will be having a lock-in on September 12-13 at UCE. Details were emailed out this week. If you didn’t get the email, please let me know.

Our Family Fridays resume on September 5 at 6p for a Dance Party. Join the Lively Spirits Dancers for an evening of music, dancing, and fun! Come and go as you wish. Bring a snack or beverage to share. You can help choose dance songs too – just submit your vote here (and your kids’) for songs to be added to the playlist.

For the adults, Dan Solomon, Bob Mesle, Rev. Eileen and I are planning the program calendar for the year and we’ll be sharing it with you soon. Our lineup includes continuing the Meeting Our Interfaith Neighbors and End of Life Planning programs, as well as Deepening the Spiritual Journey and UU history.

I hope that these last few weeks of summer become cherished memories, and that we create new ones at UCE as we start a new church year.

In Faith,

Kathy