April, 2018, news for Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (UUCPA)
Contents:
1a. Sunday school calendar
1b. Youth calendar (SHYG, Coming of Age, OWL 7-9)
1c. Navigators
2. From your Associate Minister of Religious Education
3. Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 (no fooling)
4. Planning for next Sunday school year
1a. Sunday school calendar
Sun., April 1:
9:30 a.m.: Easter intergenerational service
10:30 a.m.: Easter egg hunt
11:00 a.m.: Easter intergenerational service
Sun., April 8:
9:30 a.m.: Judean Village
12:00 noon: Second Sunday lunch
Sun., April 15:
9:30 a.m.: Judean Village
Sun., April 22:
9:30 a.m.: Judean Village
10:30 a.m.: Fourth Sunday brunch
Sun., April 29:
9:30 a.m.: Judean Village
1b. Youth calendar
SHYG (Senior High Youth Group), CoA (Coming of Age), and OWL 7-9
Sun., April 1:
No youth programs, Easter
Sun., April 8:
11:00 a.m.: Coming of Age, last chance to work on plywood sculptures
No OWL gr. 7-9
6:30 p.m.: Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
Sun., April 15:
11:00 a.m.: Coming of Age
5:00 p.m.: OWL gr. 7-9
6:30 p.m.: Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
Sun., April 22:
11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Coming of Age
5:00 p.m.: OWL gr. 7-9
6:30 p.m.: Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
Sun., April 29:
11:00 a.m.: Coming of Age
5:00 p.m.: OWL gr. 7-9
6:30 p.m.: Senior High Youth Group (SHYG)
1c. Navigators
Navigators, our bias-free scouting group, meets twice a month, September through May. Contact Ed Vail to be put on the email list.
2. From your Associate Minister of Religious Education
Our Judean Village program began on Sunday, March 25, and more than one parent told me that their children insisted on coming to UUCPA because they like Judean Village so much. I’m not sure that we adults are entirely sure what the attraction of Judean Village is, but I tried to explain in in the sermon I gave on March 25, which is now online here.
I’m always interested in trying to figure out what kids like about UUCPA. Obviously, it differs from child to child. Equally obviously, children’s interests change as they get older. But I think there are some common strands.
Children and teens like UUCPA best when it is more like summer camp than like school. Not that they necessarily dislike school. But they spend a lot of time in school, and school can be stressful. At its best, UUCPA is fun.
Children and teens like UUCPA best when they can make connections across ages. Yes, they like hanging out with people their own age. But they also like spending time with adults who can serve as appropriate role models, and they like meeting kids who are older or younger than they are. At its best, UUCPA transcends age segregation.
Children and teens like UUCPA best when it seems meaningful. While they might say that they prefer fun over meaning, over and over again I watch as children and teens find something at UUCPA that helps them make meaning out of their lives. At its best, UUCPA is meaningful to kids.
Those are some of the things I have noticed that our children and teens like at UUCPA. But about your family? The Children and Youth Religious Education Committee and I are in the midst of planning for next school year. What does your family like best about UUCPA? Which programs do you like best? We’d love to hear from you.
See you soon,
Dan Harper
3. Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 (no fooling)
The Easter egg hunt will take place Sunday, April 1st, on the playground behind Rooms 4/5 after the first service. Easter is an intergenerational service, but childcare is available in room 2/3.
Interested youngsters are encouraged to bring a small Easter egg basket (we will have extras on hand). Gather after the 9:30 a.m. service at the playground entrance to get organized by age before the hunt begins. Spectators are also welcome!
If you want to help with the Easter Egg Hunt, you can:
— bring a dozen hard boiled, decorated eggs (drop off no later than 10:15am at entrance to playground) AND/OR
— a dozen plastic eggs stuffed with small candies or stickers — Please, no items containing nuts!
— loose foil-wrapped candies (such as chocolate eggs, fair trade if possible!) that can be hidden individually
— bring a couple of extra baskets for children who forget theirs (clearly marked with your name so we can get it back to you).
Please contact Heather Chen if you are planning to bring decorated eggs and/or candy so that we can plan accordingly.
Older youngsters who want to help can come to the playground during the 9:30 a.m. service to help scatter/hide eggs and candies. Please note that helpers should not participate in the hunt.
4. Planning for next Sunday school year
The Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) Committee has begun planning for next year. They will meet on Sat., March 31, and again on Tues., April 3, from 7-9 p.m.
The Committee would love to hear your thoughts about priorities for next year. In addition, if planning programs is something you enjoy doing — and if you like serving on a committee that has fun and enjoys working with each other — consider joining the CYRE Committee. For more information, you can email the committee: cyrecommittee@uucpa.org
