Tis the season to express gratitude, which is not hard, as I feel grateful for a good many things. I feel grateful to have a full time job that I love-- especially in these uncertain times! I feel grateful for our beautiful new building that I get to work in and for all the possibilities that it opens up for programming. I feel grateful for my caring community of friends and my wonderful family. And I was recently reminded in our Gather the Spirt (multigenerational water curriculum class) that I am also incredibly grateful for clean drinking water, flushing toilets, forced air heat, and the basic freedoms and human rights that I take for granted every day. I'm glad that I belong to a community that helps inspire my ideals and challenges me to live up to them. I'm glad to be in a community with all of you!
If you are reading this- it means that you have found my new Blog and may I say that I am also grateful for that!!! I am hoping that this blog will be my new way to communicate the kinds of things that I used to include in our newsletter (thoughts and musings, what's happening for the month in children's programs, new adult programs and spiritual growth classes...). My what's happening list will not be all inclusive but will hopefully highlight some important themes and events. Check out my next post-- it will give you the scoop about November!
Lifelong Learning Highlights for November Include:
Coming of Age Kick Off!
Every other year, the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship offers a Coming of Age Program for youth in 7th and 8th grades. Youth are matched with adult mentors in the BUF community to help them explore their emerging religious and spiritual identities. The program culminates with a recognition service on May 15, 2011, when the youth get to read their credo statements to the congregation. This year we begin with an orientation on November 14!
Guest At Your Table
The Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship actively supports the work of the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) by participating in the Guest At Your Table program. We encourage all members and friends to place a small box on their tables and to contribute money to it at each meal to signify helping people around the world who are less fortunate than us. Money is then donated to the UUSC for appropriate disbursement. Expect to get your boxes on November 21st!
Adult Forums
Adult Forums include brief presentations by members of the larger community on various topics of interest followed by questions and answers and general discussion. These programs happen on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in our Library/Conference room. November topics are: 11/7-- Darrell Hillaire, "The Great Coming Home: Life at Lummi Since Boldt", 11/14-- Monem and Iman Salam, "Being Muslim in America: It's Not an Oxymoron!", 11/21-- Marie Marchand, "How My Mind and the World Brought Me Here", and 11/28-- Chuck and Dee Robinson, "Kindling the Future of Books." Hope you can make it to one or more of these exciting programs!
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals Begin
All children and youth are encouraged to participate in our Christmas Pageant on December 19 at 10:30. Children can participate by being in the choir or by playing parts in the pageant. Rehearsals begin after the one service 10:30 on November 21. Rehearsals will run from approximately 11:30 to 12:15.
