Dear SUUS Families,
A very special thank you to Benna Lehrer and Kathy Helmrich for jumping in last minute to lead our Faith Formation hike to McKinney Park last Sunday. Despite a little rain, the group had a fun-filled adventure exploring the trails and viewing the marsh from the observation telescope. And, as we heard during the “Story for All,” sometimes it does rain on a walk, but being together with friends makes everything better!
So let’s continue being with friends and gather again this Sunday, November 8, at SUUS for an outdoor Children’s Chapel and gardening activity. Details are below.
Last week I shared during “Sads & Glads” that my father-in-law was in the hospital. Cristian and I were able to visit him on Sunday at Stamford Hospital and despite being on oxygen and struggling to breathe, his main concern was whether or not he would be able to get to the polls on Tuesday to vote. My father-in-law, an immigrant from Honduras, has been a permanent resident of the US for over 35 years, but just this year received his citizenship, granting him the right to finally vote. He had been posting on Facebook encouraging others to vote and was truly proud to be able to participate in his first election. His determination and concern for voting absolutely blew me away and left me incredibly moved. What a privilege it is, and that I have always had, to be able to have this very important right.
Gratefully, my father-in-law is doing better, but unfortunately he never did make it on Tuesday. Cristian and I went to the polls and vote did we do! We voted on behalf of my father-in-law, our ancestors and all those who have been marginalized. We will continue to give voice and stand up for justice and equity. Unitarian Universalism has taught us to have faith in each other. I have faith in you, and believe that together we are stronger and that love and kindness will prevail.
Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for Viviana’s Abuelo. I am so grateful for this beloved community.
In kindness,
Amy
Faith Formation Happenings
WORSHIP
Sunday, Nov 8 at 10:30am – Online Worship Service, “Seeking Democracy, Seeking Kindness” & a “Story for All” – Rev. Lloyd and Rev. Sweetser In the aftermath of our national election, we will find ourselves searching for new answers to reality. What is at the root of that searching? How do we get there?
CLASSES
Sunday, November 8 at 1pm – Outdoor Children’s Chapel & Gardening Activity
On Sunday, the SUUS Communications Team will be onsite to take video footage of our FF gathering for the website. If you plan to attend, and have NOT filled out an online FF registration form for your child (where you indicate the use “for” or “against” consent to use photos and video), PLEASE do so by clicking in the link below. Thank you!
Faith Formation Registration Form: https://shorelineuu.breezechms.com/form/769f58
Sunday, November 15 at 1pm – Outdoor Children’s Chapel, Racial Justice Team Presentation, Card & Scarf Making
Sunday, November 22 – Faith Formation Activity (Time TBA)
Sunday, November 29 – NO CLASSES! Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend!
YOUTH/COMING OF AGE
Fire Pit at The Swensons
Please hold Saturday Nov 7 & Sunday, Nov 8 – Day & Time TBC
In preparation for the trip to MA, Youth will gather with Advisors around the fire pit to learn more about Walden Pond, Thoreau and what to anticipate for the upcoming trip. They’ll share thoughts as they toast marshmallows around the fire! BYOS (Bring Your Own S’mores ingredients)!
Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15 – Walden Pond Park in Concord, MA
Parents & CoA Youth: please save the weekend of November 14 & 15 for a trip to Walden Pond. On Nov 12 or 13 we will decide, based on weather and safety whether to go on Saturday or Sunday. Each family will travel in their own cars and leave around 9am to get there for 11am. Please bring lunch, masks, hand sanitizer and bags for trash. The cost for parking is $30 per car. Once there, we’ll walk the trail then have lunch on a wall by the beach.
If the parking lot is full when we get there, we will detour to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepy_Hollow_Cemetery_(Concord,_Massachusetts), where Thoreau and many other famous folks are buried.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
FOOD DRIVE
FINAL CALL FOR FOOD DONATIONS! Faith Formation is collecting food for the Semilla Collective of New Haven. There are labeled and covered plastic bins at the top of the exterior stairs at SUUS. The food drive will conclude on Tuesday, November 10. Items needed are as follows:
- RICE
- CANNED TOMATOES
- BEANS
- GRANOLA BARS
- MAC & CHEESE
- DIAPERS size 3 or larger
A great way to engage children and youth in this initiative is to have them search for food items in your home and/or help to deliver food to SUUS. Please be in touch if your family is interested in making a drop-off directly to Semilla or learning more about ways to volunteer.
A special thanks to Soule Golden for inviting us to learn more about Semilla and how SUUS can help support their efforts. I also give a big shout-out to Laura Martino who has agreed to help organize social justice activities in relation to food scarcity with our Faith Formation Families. Thank you both for your leadership!
More about Semilla…
The Semilla Collective of New Haven is a grassroots collective formed in the fall of 2019 to fight side by side with immigrant and working families, and to host cultural events in our community. We have been running a mutual aid food distribution program since March in solidarity with our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic. For more information please visit: https://www.semillacollective.org/en/food-garage
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Birthday Parades
Does your child have a Birthday coming up? We will continue to do our SUUS Birthday Parades and celebrate our children and youth safely! We have a list of Birthdays, but please be in touch with Jennifer Farmer Etzel if your child has an upcoming Birthday and you would like us to organize a parade. Recent Birthday highlights include Grace & Eli Lagasse and Bohan Samas! Stay tuned for more Birthday fun!
PILLARS
Thursday, December 3 at 7:45pm – Faith Formation Committee Meeting
Thank you, Pillars, for an inspiring October Committee Meeting! I am so thankful for all of the energy, ideas and hard work you put into this program. It truly takes a village and I’m happy to be in this one together! Please stay tuned for more details when we get closer to our next meeting date.