HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Once again we get to start over-- or at least hone our direction....  I love the New Year!  I completely buy into all the resolution stuff and ride the wave as long as I can.  This year I am starting some fad diet, going to manage my spending, exercise regularly and re-commit to a spiritual practice.  Wish me luck!  Seriously though, I've been around the block enough times to know that these great intentions will last a while and then I will return to my usual ways.  The thing is-- this is part of my usual way.  Sometimes I take life seriously and I live with great intention and sometimes I slack off and take it as it comes.  My passions ebb and flow like waves, like seasons, like hormones!  And so it feels like the beginning again-- like it did in September, like it will in late spring.  And I will cling to the possibilities and ride the wave as long as I can--hope to see you on the surf!

And in case one of your resolutions this year is to get more connected at BUF, there will be many new opportunities in the Lifelong Learning Program including:


First Wednesday Movie Nights!
This began in December with the movie Flow: For Love Of Water (if you haven't seen it-- I would highly recommend-- intense about the evils of water privatization all over the world-- really gets you thinking).  This month we will show "Bullied" which is a short documentary about the first case where a man successfully sued a school district for not protecting him from being bullied for being gay.  We will show it at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 5, after the Community Night Dinner.  We plan on having a movie every month to highlight some aspect of justice-- ecological, social or economic.  It is a way to stay informed and connected at the same time.   

Adult Forums in January!
Bob Keller and the Adult Forums Team has a great line up for you starting up again on Sunday, January 9th with Tim Douglas, "Life After the Mayor's Office,"  January 16, Clara Kelly, "A Flamboya Tree in My Life," January 23, Regina Ryan, "Igniting the Inner Life," and January 30, Laura Clark, "A Wiser Concept of Animals."  Adult Forums meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30, in the library.  Look for fliers at BUF or check the online BUF calendar for more information!


Lifelong Learning Council Meetings
Several sub teams will meet this month to plan for programming and evaluation.  We have a new building and a new program and now we need to know how it is going.  The Support sub team will be meeting soon to plan an evaluation process.  Also, a new team focused on Principles in Action opportunities for kids will meet for the first time to set a vision and start planning for future events.  And if you can believe it, it is almost time to start thinking about our Peace on Earth Summer Camp!  I am always looking for new council members-- please contact me if you are interested!

Our Whole Lives (OWL) for Grades 4-5
Our Whole Lives is a values based sexuality curriculum offered at BUF at various pivotal points in development.  We offer this elementary class to help children develop values around respect and trust in all the various relationships that they are in and to expect respectful relationships in the future.  Informational meeting for parents is Sunday, January 23, at 6:30 in the Library.  Contact Crystal for more information!


Sunday Mornings for Kids
Things are getting back to normal this month however, January 2nd is one service only at 10:30 and will include alternate programming for kids.  Regular RE classes will resume on January 9th!
 

For more information about the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship and/or to link to our online
calendar, please visit our website at www.buf.org