Dear SUUS Families,
I hope everyone enjoyed a restful holiday weekend and that the warmth of the sun and signs of spring are bringing a sense of joy and renewal. A pair of chipping sparrows are nesting on our front porch in an old coffee can, and each day we observe their progress and hold a sense of deep gratitude for the wonders of the season. What are you discovering as we transition out of winter and welcome the spring?
The month of April invites us on an exploration of “BECOMING” and spring happens to be a wonderful example of this concept. What once was during the winter is no longer. Bare trees now have buds, the weather is warmer and we too might be feeling a sense of change or “becoming” something different or new. During the month we will explore together what “BECOMING” might mean for a child, youth or parent and I welcome ALL to join us on the journey!
If you missed last Sunday’s Easter Zoom service, you can check out the video of the Virtual Easter Choir singing “There is Peace,” which features the voices of Kylie Dailey, Lucienne & Laura Martino! Thank you for sharing your voices with us! https://vimeo.com/531341184
Up next – this Sunday, April 11 at 1pm Elise Morrison & Family will lead a Faith Formation hike to Supply Pond in Branford. Please see the full details below!
Happy Spring!
Love,
Amy
p.s. I am taking a little rest next week and will be back on Sunday, April 18. I look forward to seeing you then!
Faith Formation Happenings
WORSHIP
Sunday, April 12 at 10:30am: “My Way”, Dr. Hugh Bowen, PhD.
Dr. Bowen will discuss his findings on cosmology, the ascent of man, religion, psychology, and death. He will also stay on for discussion after the service.
*SUNDAY, MAY 23 at 10:30am – SAVE THE DATE FOR FAITH FORMATION SUNDAY*
A Coming of Age Celebration
&
Gratitude for our Faith Formation Families, Children, & Volunteers
CLASSES
Sunday, April 11 at 1pm – POSTPONED due to inclement weather!!!
Faith Formation Hike to Supply Pond in Branford
Join Elise Morrison & Family as they lead the group on one of their favorite trails in Branford! Tongs and bags will be provided for picking up garbage along the way. Let us “Spring Clean” Mother Earth and honor our 7th UU Principle together.
Getting There: From Route 1 take either Mill Plain Rd. to Short Rocks Rd. or Chestnut St.
north to the parking area. Park along North Chestnut St and Short Rock Road.
Meet at the MAIN TRAIL HEAD
Trail map: https://branfordlandtrust.org/wp-cont3nt/uploads/2014/01/SupplyPondQueach.pdf
For more information about Supply Pond and the Branford Land Trust please visit: https://branfordlandtrust.org/explore/trail-maps/
Saturday, April 17 – Rettich Preserve Work Party for Coming of Age YOUTH
Meet at 10:00am at Rettich Preserve, 274 River Road, Madison
Bring: Mask, work gloves, goggles if you have and a reusable water bottle.
Tasks to include: Removing graffiti, Restoring the grape arbor, Clearing brush, Planting bushes, Removal of large debris from the woods
Pick-up: 1pm
More info: Rettich Preserve https://madisonlandtrust.org/trails/rettich-preserve/
*Organized by Beth Skudder (THANK YOU, BETH!). Please RSVP directly to Beth (pls see SUUS directory for email address).
Sunday, April 18 at 1pm – Faith Formation Family Chapel & Gardening at SUUS
Meet at SUUS for an ALL AGES gathering and Garlic Planting activity. Please bring food for the food drive, a mask and gardening gloves if you have them. Special thanks to Soule Golden for providing garlic! YUM!
Sunday, April 18 at 1:30pm – SUUS & All Souls Youth Hike to Gillette Castle via Chester -Hadlyme Ferry
Coming of Age Youth from SUUS & All Souls will take the ferry across the CT River, hike up to the castle and explore the park together.
Drop off/Meet: Chester-Hadlyme Ferry (West Side Landing) 99 Ferry Rd, Chester, CT 06412
Bring: Mask, $4 for the ferry(RT), Water & Snack (Hat or Sunblock if sunny)
Trail Map: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/GilletteCastle_New_printer-friendly.pdf
For Parents: https://www.visitchesterct.com/parking (Check out downtown Chester while you wait!)
Pick-Up: 4pm
Saturday, April 24 – Madison’s Green Up Clean Up
Join Beth Skudder & “Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society Earth Helpers” (i.e. SUUS Families, Members & Friends) to help clean up Madison! Thank you, Beth, for organizing!
Meet: 9am
Location: TBD in Madison
RSVP: Please email Beth Skudder directly (pls see SUUS directory for email address)
*SUUS Helpers should bring mask, work gloves, and a reusable water bottle.
“On Saturday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. check in at the Memorial Town Hall, 8 Meetinghouse Lane; or Roberts Food Center in the North Madison Shopping Center. Pick up your supplies: bags, gloves, and safety vests for the children and then GO TO WORK! When you have finished, bring the litter to the dumpsters at the Memorial Town Hall or at Robert’s Food Center.”
More info: https://www.madisonct.org/FormCenter/General-6/Green-Up-Clean-Up-Day-2021-84
Sunday, April 25 at 1pm – Coming of Age Class w Advisors
Meet at Benna’s for a Coming of Age class before Credo Statements are due (April 30). Explore “Spirituality” and the elements of putting together a worship service.
*Please hold Sunday May 2 at 1pm for class and bookmark May 16 for video submissions of Credo Statements
For any child or youth participating in Faith Formation activities, please complete the online registration form: https://shorelineuu.breezechms.com/form/769f58
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Amistad Catholic Worker House Food Drive
So far we have made TWO deliveries of food to Amistad thanks to the Skudder Jobson & Martino Families! And the food drive CONTINUES! Please consider supporting our neighbors at Amistad Catholic Worker House in East Haven, CT where Luz Catarineau and her husband Mark Colville have been feeding the homeless since 1994. Now more than ever they need our help, and even in a global pandemic they continue to provide breakfast and lunch to those in need. Please review the list below and if you are able, kindly deliver your items to the covered bins at the top outdoor stairs at SUUS. If you are unable to contribute food at this time, they are always accepting prayers. For more information about Amistad, please visit their website: https://amistadcw.wordpress.com/
Breakfast
Coffee
Powdered creamer
Sugar
Pancake mix (complete preferable)
Pancake Syrup
Lunch
Juice mix
Pasta sauce
Pasta-variety
Canned vegetables
Rice
Beans-red, black, garbanzo beans
Essential Paper Products
Toilet tissue
Paper towels
Napkins
Facial tissue
*Please note: Amistad is happy to take anything else beyond the items listed above to either use as part of a meal or to bag up for families that are served.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Saturday, May 1 at 1pm – SUUS MOMs Group hosted by Briana Benn-Mirandi
Please save the date for the May MOMs Group Gathering! More details soon!
Thank you, Karis Lagasse, for initiating this small group ministry, hosting the group the past two months and for sharing a beautiful reading with us last week. If you missed Saturday’s gathering you can find the reading Karis shared titled, “Every Mother Has a Different Story” by Cheryl Strayed here: https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/every-mother-has-different-story
PILLARS
Wednesday, May 12 at 7pm- Faith Formation Committee Meeting
Please save the date for the next meeting. Details to follow!