One of the most glorious sounds you’ll hear this time of year starts each day late in the afternoon: the peepers! They’re the little frogs gathering in the many vernal pools all around the area. Their collective chirruping creates a constant pitch, if a little out of tune. That high-pitched drone is the mating call of the males trying to attract females. They make the sound by closing up their nostrils and forcing air into a big bubble under their chins, as the air escapes the bubble, it passes over the frog’s vocal cords and out the opened nostrils, creating that seasonal chirping sound. And lots of these chirps at once create the most recognizable chorus of spring.

Did you know these little frogs can freeze? Some nights, you may have noticed that the temperatures get pretty cold, enough to freeze puddles and pools. What happens to the frogs? They survive! They’re tough little guys. In fact, 70% of their bodies can freeze, enough to stop their breathing and their little hearts even. All they need is a little time to thaw out before they’re back at it, singing for the season! Unitarian Universalists particularly love the peepers because when we hear them, we just about automatically say, “Wow!”  That, right there, is the awe and wonder part about being human that we celebrate!

Religious Education Schedule:

April 29:  Religious Education classes

May 6:  Religious Education classes

May 13:  Mother’s Day multi-generational Worship Service.  Children and Youth are invited to join the adults for a special service to observe Mother’s Day. The SUUS Orchestra is scheduled to play.  Are you a musician? Do you want to join the band?  Let me know…

May 20:  Religious Education classes resume

May 27:  Memorial Day weekend. There will be a special organized activity for those children who come to church.

June 3:  Religious Education classes

June 10:  Church on the Beach!

June 17:  Last day of Religious Education classes for 2017-18

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Earth Day is coming!

This is an important day for Unitarian Universalists.  Taking care of the Earth is one of the promises we make to each other, and, of course, to the Earth! Remember our rainbow, color-coordinated promises? The Violet Promise is Value our home Earth that we share with all living things. Earth Day is Sunday, April 22, but really, every day is Earth Day!

Thank you to Briana Benn Mirandi for leading an organized activity last Sunday for the children, all three of them!

Religious Education Schedule:

April 22:  Religious Education classes resume, Earth Day

April 29:  Religious Education classes

May 6:  Religious Education classes

May 13:  Mother’s Day multi-generational Worship Service.  Children and Youth are invited to join the adults for a special service to observe Mother’s Day. The SUUS Orchestra is scheduled to play?  Do you want to join the band?  Let me know!

May 20:  Religious Education classes resume

May 27:  Memorial Day weekend. There will be a special organized activity for those children who come to church.

June 3: Religious Education classes

June 10:  Church on the Beach!

June 17:  Last day of Religious Education classes for 2017-18

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

The children planted morning glory seeds a couple Sundays ago.  Look how they’re doing!  Did you know that plants can move without wind? They bend toward sunlight in a process called phototropism.  It reminds me of the famous quote often attributed to Martin Luther King, but most likely came from 19th century Unitarian, Theodore Parker, who said, “Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”  Phototropism in plants is a metaphor for Parker’s quote about justice.

Religious Education Schedule

April 15:  *No Religious Education classes—spring break for area schools

April 22:  Religious Education classes resume

April 29:  Religious Education classes

May 6:  Religious Education classes

May 13:  Mother’s Day multi-generational Worship Service.  Children and Youth are invited to join the adults for a special service to observe Mother’s Day.  There will be no Religious Education classes this day.

May 20:  Religious Education classes resume

May 27:  Memorial Day weekend. No religious education classes this day, but there will be an organized activity for those children who come to church.

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

The SUUS youth service group trip to New York City over the Easter weekend was a big success!  We all worked hard and had a great time for YSOP (Youth Service Opportunities Project).  One youth said, “That was intense!” Another said, “I am definitely doing this again next year!”  We slept in a Quaker Friends School (on the floor) on Friday night and worked in a soup kitchen in Queens all day Saturday.  Here is our team, team “Agape,” six people (youth and adults) from our church and 4 youth from various other Madison congregations.

Religious Education Schedule

April 6:  Annual Passover Seder, 6pm.  Families with children are welcome.  Look for a sign-up sheet in the coffee hour space. We need more sign-ups!

April 8:  Religious Education classes resume

April 15:  *No Religious Education classes—spring break for area schools

April 22:  Religious Education classes resume

April 29:  Religious Education classes

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Happy Easter everyone!  Hope you find a lot of eggs and eat a lot of chocolate!

The annual church Passover Seder dinner is fast approaching.  Our guest leader again this year is Jennifer Silva.  Please join us for this family-friendly event.  Look for sign-up sheets.  Please plan to bring some food. (Food suggestions are listed on the sign-up sheet.)

Religious Education Schedule

March 30-31:  YSOP (Youth Group service trip to New York City). Those participating, please arrive at the First Congregational Church of Madison at noon on Good Friday.

April 1:  Easter Sunday.  No Religious Education classes this day.  “Sunrise” service on the beach at 8:30am, followed by breakfast and a multigenerational Worship Service back at the church.  The SUUS Orchestra will perform Godspell’s “Day by Day.”

April 6:  Annual Passover Seder, 6pm.  Families with children are welcome.  Look for a sign-up sheet in the coffee hour space. We need more sign-ups!

April 8:  Religious Education classes resume

April 15: *No Religious Education classes—spring break for area schools

April 22: Religious Education classes resume

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Congratulations to all the participants of the Talent Show last Saturday!  Especially, hats off to the children and adults who participated in the Seussical Song, “Oh the Thinks You Can Think.”  Thank you Karen Pawelek, Linda Pawelek and Steve Ernst for helping us to prepare for this performance.  You all did a spectacular job, and it just shows that we are ready for a musical at our church!  Anyone want to volunteer?

Thank you to all the secret pen pals, who are no longer anonymous to each other.  We had 13 pairs of pen pals this year, who are now friends.  We’ll do it again next year!

The annual church Passover Seder dinner is fast approaching.  Our guest leader this year is again Jennifer Silva.  Please join us for this family-friendly event.  Look for sign-up sheets.  Please plan to bring some food. (Food suggestions are listed on the sign-up sheet.)

Religious Education Schedule

March 25:  Religious Education classes.

March 30-31:  YSOP (Youth Group service trip to New York City)

April 1:  Easter Sunday.  No Religious Education classes this day.  “Sunrise” service on the beach at 8:30am, followed by breakfast and a multigenerational Worship Service back at the church.  The SUUS Orchestra will perform Godspell’s “Day by Day.”  If you want to play, let me know SOON and I’ll arrange a part for you!

April 6: Annual Passover Seder, 6pm.  Families with children are welcome.  Look for a sign-up sheet in the coffee hour space.

April 8: Religious Education classes resume.

April 15: Religious Education classes

April 22: Religious Education classes

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

March 16-18 will be a busy weekend at our church.  It’s Stewardship Weekend.  I am giving you all a heads-up so you can be present and wide-eyed for all of it!

On Friday, March 16, 6pm, the Secret Pen Pal dinner will be served.  Adult pen pals need to prepare/bring their child pen pal’s favorite dinner food; the children bring their adult pal’s favorite dessert food to share.  No special attire, just warmth and new friends!  If you have not asked your pen pals their favorite foods, you have one final opportunity this Sunday when your final letters are exchanged.

Saturday, March 17 at 4:30pm (at the church), those of you singing in the “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” song will meet for a dress rehearsal—literally. (We have all sorts of fun costumes!) We’ll rehearse the song to its final perfect readiness (circa). Then, at 5:30pm, the Chili Cook-Off starts.  Sample some fine chilis and vote for your favorite. Following dinner the Talent Show begins (7pm)!  Still looking for acts, so let me know if you want to join in last minute.

Sunday, March 18, those who sing the “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” song will have another opportunity to sing it in costume during the adult worship service.

Don’t forget: Pen Pal final Letter Exchange #6 will be this Sunday, March 11.

Special thanks to Jennifer Munro for helping to facilitate the OWL Workshop last Sunday on short notice.  We very much appreciate you!

Religious Education Schedule

March 11:  Religious Education classes; Final Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange. The dinner will be Friday, March 16 at 6pm in the sanctuary.

March 16 (Friday):  Secret Pen Pals dinner at 6pm.

March 17 (Saturday):  “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” dress rehearsal at 4:30pm; Chili cook-off  at 5:30pm; Talent Show at 7pm with the first performance of “Oh the Thinks You Can Think.”

March 18:  Religious Education classes; “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” second performance during the worship service.

March 25:  Religious Education classes.

March 30-31:  YSOP (Youth Group service trip to New York City)

April 1:  Easter Sunday.  No Religious Education classes this day.  “Sunrise” service on the beach (Time TBA), followed by brunch and a multigenerational Worship Service back at the church.  The SUUS Orchestra will perform Godspell’s “Day by Day.”  If you want to play, let me know and I’ll arrange a part for you!

April 6:  SUUS Passover Seder, 6-8pm.  Jennifer Silva and I will be facilitating our annual Seder.  Look for a sign up sheet soon.

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Shoreline Unitarian Universalist is hosting an Interfaith Youth Group Gathering this Friday, March 2 from 6-8pm.  Middle and High School students are invited to attend. Youth from our congregation, First Congregational Church and St. Andrews will be gathering.  We’ll eat dinner together, and then break into some fun and interactive youth activities, UU-style.  I hope you can make it!  This will be a good opportunity to meet other youth who will be participating in the YSOP (Youth Service Opportunities Project) trip to New York City at the end of the month.

Our annual Secret Pen Pals tradition continues!  You should exchange a fifth letter this Sunday with your pen pal.  If you’re behind, don’t worry. The point is to get to know each other.  Don’t forget to ask about dinner and dessert preferences.  The identity-revealing dinner is Friday, March 16 at 6pm.  Adults need to bring their pen pal’s favorite dinner food; the children bring their adult pal’s favorite dessert food to share.

Letter exchange #5 will be this Sunday, March 4.

You may have heard that we are having a big Talent Show on March 17.  We are still looking for more acts!  Do you or your children have a talent that you would like to share?  Let me know! (No pressure—totally informal and fun!  You can tell a joke, for instance!)

Religious Education Schedule

March 2:  Friday, 6-8pm—Interfaith Youth Group Gathering hosted by SUUS. Middle and High School students are invited. Come early to help set up and prepare food.

March 4:  Religious Education classes; Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #5

March 11:  Religious Education classes; Final Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange. The dinner will be Friday, March 16 at 6pm.

March 16 (Friday):  Secret Pen Pals dinner at 6pm.

March 17 (Saturday):  Chili cook-off and Talent Show, “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” performance.

March 18:  Religious Education classes; “Oh the Thinks You Can Think” performance during the worship service.

March 25:  Religious Education classes.

March 30-31:  YSOP (Youth Group service trip to New York City)

April 1:  Easter Sunday.  No Religious Education classes this day.  “Sunrise” service on the beach (8:30am), followed by brunch and a multigenerational Worship Service back at the church.  The SUUS Orchestra will perform Godspell’s “Day by Day.”  If you want to play, let me know and I’ll arrange a part for you!

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Hope you all had a relaxing Winter Break extended weekend!  Now let’s get back to work saving the world…

Our annual Secret Pen Pals tradition continues!  You should exchange a fourth letter this Sunday with your pen pal. Don’t forget to ask your pen pals about the dinner and dessert preferences.  The identity-revealing dinner is Friday, March 16 at 6pm.  Adults need to bring their pen pal’s favorite dinner food; the children bring their adult pal’s favorite dessert food to share.

Letter exchange #4 will be this Sunday, February 25.

You may have heard that we are having a big Talent Show on March 17.  We are looking for more acts!  Do you or your children have a talent that you would like to share?  Let me know! (No pressure—totally informal and fun!  You can tell a joke, for instance!)

Religious Education Schedule

February 25:  Religious Education classes resume; Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #4

March 4:  Religious Education classes; Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #5

March 11:  Religious Education classes; Final Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange. The dinner will be Friday, March 16 at 6pm.

March 16 (Friday):  Secret Pen Pals dinner at 6pm.

March 17 (Saturday):  Chili cook-off and Talent Show

March 18:  Religious Education classes.

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Thanks to the all children who made Valentine’s cards for members and friends from our church community who need some cheer and joy!  Also, thanks to Steve Ernst and Briana Benn-Mirandi for helping with our Children’s Chapel service last Sunday.  Steve performed two of his own compositions on differently-sized Native American flutes!  Briana told the children about Imbolc, a Pagan observation that marks the advent of spring when mother animals start to wake from hibernation to feed their offspring.  Imbolc and Groundhog Day are similar in how they are calendar indicators that help us get ready for spring and longer days.  Song to the groundhog:

Will you won’t you see your shadow?

Will it won’t it really matter?

Do you don’t you grin to see…

People take you seriously?

Our annual Secret Pen Pals tradition is under way!  Please try to stay on top of the letter exchange.  If you know you will not be at church, please send your letters (scanning and emailing is the best method) to me (Nate).  This Sunday is Letter Exchange #3.  In other words, Children and Adults will exchange their third letters!  Hope you’re having fun!

There will be a special mini-multigenerational Worship Service on Sunday, February 11 to mark Valentine’s Day (February 14).  The SUUS Orchestra will be performing “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles (arranged by Nate).  If you would like to join the ensemble let me know by Thursday, February 8, so I can have time to arrange a part for you.

Religious Education Schedule

February 11:  Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #3; “Mini” multigenerational Valentine’s Day worship service; abbreviated Religious Education classes

February 18:  No Religious Education classes due to Winter Vacation from area schools (No Pen Pals)

February 25:  Religious Education classes resume; Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #4

March 4:  Religious Education classes; Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange #5

March 11: Religious Education classes; Final Secret Pen Pals Letter Exchange. The dinner will be Friday, March 16 at 6pm.

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

What a boisterous bunch of holiday choristers we had at Watrous last Sunday!  There were 25 carolers, most outfitted in Santa hats and with various percussive instruments (bells, shakers, tambourine and triangle).  We sang through our song sheets almost twice, as we filled the halls with familiar holiday melodies and youthful energy.  (The Twelve Days of Christmas is a very long song, by the way!)  I’m not the only one to observe many of the residents singing along with us, tapping their toes and smiling.  Objective accomplished!  Well done, and thank you to all who participated!

Religious Education Schedule

December 24:  Christmas Eve Multi-Generational Worship Service starting at 10am with the annual carol sing-along.  No religious education classes this day.

December 31:  No religious education classes due to Christmas break.

January 7:  Children and Youth Chapel service to start the New Year, 2018!  Guest: Austin Dailey, Hip-Hop dance artist! (Details TBD)

January 14:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday.  Religious Education classes resume.

January 21:  Secret Pen Pals sign-up begins; Religious Education classes

January 28:  Secret Pen Pals sign-up continues; Religious Education classes

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Be safe, eat a lot of turkey, and don’t talk about politics!

Some have requested the name of the Thanksgiving story that was presented during last Sunday’s multi-generational worship service.  The story is called “Thanksgiving at the Tappletons” by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler.  I found the book in the Guilford Free Library.  If you check it out, you will notice that I adapted some parts.  For instance, Uncle Fritz never had an “extra glass of wine” in the original story.

Don’t forget that December 3 is “Bring a Friend to Church Day Open House at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist.” We are preparing fine worship and great religious education programming (like every Sunday!) for potential guests.  We are excited to welcome new friends.  We need your help bringing them through our doors to check us out!  Remember, it’s not evangelizing.  We’re just telling people about us, who we are!  And we’ve got a good story!

Religious Education Schedule

November 26:  No religious education classes due to Thanksgiving break.  There will be an organized activity for children if you are in town and want to come to church.

December 3:  Religious Education classes resume.  Bring a Friend to Church Day Open House.  *Families with children most especially invited.

December 10:  Hanukah Service.  Religious Education classes.

December 17:  Winter Solstice Service.  Religious Education classes.

December 24:  Christmas Eve Multi-Generational Worship Service.  Carol sing-along starts at 10am, worship service starts at 10:30am.  *No religious education classes this day.

December 31:  No religious education classes due to Christmas break.

Warm Regards,
Nate Pawelek, DLRE