Dear SUUS Families,
Thank you to all who joined the “Forest Bathing” expedition last Sunday! And a very special thanks to Sarah Jane Dailey for leading us on this incredible journey. We had a large group of explorers as we trekked through the forest using all five senses to connect with nature and all that surrounds us. Not only did we honor our 7th UU Principle; “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” but we also witnessed the strength of our beloved SUUS community as we trudged together through the muddy waters holding each other up along the way. I was reminded of these words from, “Faith is Like a Walking Stick,” which I recently shared as a Story for All ages;
“Now just like on a long trail, life sometimes gets a little tough and can even be scary. And that’s why it helps to have friends, and a spiritual community like this one. And at times we start to lose our balance and begin to fall down then it’s handy to have a walking stick along.“
I look forward to our next journey together.
Love,
Amy
Faith Formation Happenings
WORSHIP
Sunday, December 13 at 10:30am – “Festivals of Fire” – Rev. Terry Sweetser
“G. E. Wright, one of the most renowned biblical scholars living said, “You can take Christmas out of the New Testament, and you don’t lose much. Christmas is on the edge of not meaning much. It’s just another mid-winter struggle holiday like Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa.” Or is it?
Sunday, December 20 at 10:30am – “An Interactive Christmas Pageant” – Rev. Terry Sweetser & Amy Buckley, DFF
Multigenerational Worship Service featuring SUUS Singers & Youth
Thursday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Online Worship & Caroling
4:30 – 4:50pm Virtual Carol Sing
5pm – Online Christmas Eve Service
More details to follow!
CLASSES
December 13 at 1pm at SUUS – Stuffing Stockings for Watrous
Please join us this Sunday for stocking stuffing party! The stockings will benefit the residents of Watrous Nursing Center across the street from SUUS. We will have the fire pits lit to stay warm and practice our holiday carols for the following week. Please bring ideas for your favorite Christmas songs along with any of the stocking stuffers items below if you are able. And if you want to bring marshmallows to roast, then please do so!
- Blankets
- Stationary & Pens
- Journals/Notebooks
- Costume Jewelry
- Small Picture Frames
- Socks
- Puzzle Books
- Lotion
- Eye Glass Holder
- Calendars
- Bird Feeder
- Nail Polish
- Emery Board
- Scarves
- Large Print Magazines & Books
- Bath/Skin Care Products
- Comb/Brush
- Silk Flowers
- Dollar Store Goodies
For more information about Watrous please visit: https://www.apple-rehab.com/watrous
December 20 at 1pm – Christmas Caroling
Please check your Friday Eblast next week (12/18) for the specific route, map & location details.
December 27 – No Faith Formation Activities
January 3 – No Faith Formation Activities
For any child or youth participating in Faith Formation activities, please complete the online registration form: https://shorelineuu.breezechms.com/form/769f58
Social Justice
Scarves for Community Meal Center in New London
Attention Middle School Families: If you haven’t already, please be in touch with Benna Lehrer to coordinate getting material and directions for the scarves. If you have finished your scarves, please drop them off at SUUS or bring to our next FF gathering. Thank you!
Black Figures in History; Past and Present
Social Justice Pillar Laura Martino, along with the SUUS Racial Justice Group, is working on a racial justice themed project for Faith Formation in January and is asking for your help! Laura has created a template and several slides for a powerpoint presentation that would be read as the children’s story on Sunday, January 17. She is inviting families to participate by choosing a Black person, not yet included on the slides, whose work and legacy you would like to share with SUUS and then create a slide in be included in the powerpoint.
Those appreciated in the powerpoint presentation will then be painted on canvas by children and youth, and hung at SUUS during and after Black History Month.
If you would like to participate in this activity, please contact Laura Martino for the PowerPoint template and more information. The deadline for submission is 12/31/20.
Birthday Parades
Does your child have a Birthday coming up? Last week we celebrated Josephine & Flynn! Happy Birthday, Josephine & Flynn! SUUS Birthday Parades continue to 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 and/or you would like to participate in the upcoming parades. Thank you, Jennifer, for keeping this new FF tradition going!
PILLARS
Thursday, January 7 – Faith Formation Committee Meeting via ZOOM
Please mark your calendar for our next meeting and stay tuned for more details.