Happy Holidays-- December Update!

Greetings BUF Families,

There are many things happening in December so get out your calendars and start marking them up!

Usher and Greeter Meeting

Sunday, December 2, 9:00 a.m.

The Hospitality team would love to have some youth (middle school and high school) participate in handing out orders of service on Sunday mornings.  If your son or daughter is interested in doing this he/she is invited to come to this informational meeting to learn more about the responsibilities of ushers and greeters.  

Children's Chapel

Sunday, December 2, 10:30 a.m.

On the first Sunday of the month children and youth in grades K-8 are invited to begin their time at church in a special worship service created specially for them. Children are invited to come up to the flex room-- our theme this month will be Generosity.  Children are encouraged to bring a small amount of money to give during the special collection.  We collect money all year and in June we decide which charity to give it to.  We will also be preparing a presentation for the congregation to tell them about our Hogwarts curriculum-- if your child enjoys public speaking he/she won't want to miss it!

Christmas Pageant Rehearsals

Sunday mornings after the service-- 11:45(ish) to 12:15(ish) on 12/2, 12/9, 12/16

We will be performing the Grinch Who Stole Christmas on 12/23!  We need singers-- including some middle school and highschool youth who would like to be involved!  We also need actors.  I will be assigning parts on December 2.  We need the following child actors:  Cindy Lou, Max the dog, Cindy's father, the Mayor of Whoville, plus non-speaking roles-- Cindy's mother, brother, sister, and the rest of the Whos!  Children who can't make the December 2 rehearsal are still welcome to participate but if your child wants one of the main parts he/she should plan to attend!  Parents-- please let me know if you would like to help with costumes, sets, staging.... I need some help with these!

"House Party" for Middle School and High School Youth

Sunday, December 2, 11:45 a.m.-- Pizza will be provided!!!

One of our most important tasks during our 2 year period of interim ministry, is to figure out who we are as a congregation and what we want from a long term settled minister.  Rev. Lee Bond has been attending house parties with adult members of the congregation and asking questions regarding worship preferences, theological beliefs, the relative importance of social action, community building, spiritual development, and religious education; and more.... And he wants to hear from our youth!  Your beliefs and preferences matter as we move into the future-- we want to create the kind of church that you would want to keep attending!  All middle school and high school youth are invited to this fun and interactive meeting.  Coming of Age participants are especially encouraged to participate--and yes, this will earn you points!!!

Holiday Craft Night with Bellingham Coop School!

Wednesday, December 5, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Come make some holiday gifts before our community night dinner!  We will have many fun craft stations set up around the perimeter of the social hall to help us get into the holiday spirit.  If you have a special craft idea that you would like to lead please reply to me or contact Heidi Alford at familyalford@comcast.net

Parent Potluck and Chalice Circle/ Kid Movie Night

Friday, December 7, 5:00-7:30 (start in old social hall)

Newcomers are welcome to attend this ongoing group to promote community building for all and spiritual development for parents.  For more information contact Roz Reynolds at mama@mamafoo.net or Kathleen Malnor at malnorfamily@gmail.com.

Posada!

Saturday, December 8, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

You won't want to miss this annual tradition!  Cocina Sanas (from Community to Community) will be providing our Mexican feast. Rev. Lee Bond will be telling the story of Maria and Joseph as they search for an Inn. We will wander the neighborhood caroling and acting out the parts of the journey-- this year Mary will be played by Anabel Magee.  We will return to BUF for cookies, hot chocolate and pinatas.  It is a magical night that children remember for years!  We hope you will join us.  We still need some volunteers to bring cookies, to set up for dinner and decorate the social hall, and to help clean up at the end of the night and also to prepare the social hall for pinata festivities while the rest of the participants are caroling.  If you can help please contact me or Dee Dee Marshall at deedeemarshall@gmail.com.

Coming of Age Workshop- UU History: A Legacy of Martyrs

Sunday, December 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Coming of Age Youth and Mentors are expected to attend this workshop.  We will talk about heros from our past and a current "prophet" in Pakistan.  Youth will think about this important question:  What would I die for?

Hanukah Story and Games

Wednesday, December 12, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Come celebrate Hanukah before the community night dinner.  We will tell stories, light the menorah and of course, play dreidel!

Youth Holiday Gift Project

Sunday, December 16, 10:30-2:00(ish)

High School youth and youth advisors should each arrive at BUF at 10:30 a.m. with 4 dozen of the SAME KIND of cookie (perhaps one youth could specialize in one or two kinds of gluten free cookies-- Ben/Harriet perhaps, Alicia???).  During the service, youth and advisors will make plates of mixed cookies to sell during the coffee hour.  Then you will take your earnings to the mall (or some other departments store) to purchase gifts for our Interfaith Family.  Youth advisors have the specs of the family in need.  Contact me if you have questions!

IllUUminations Celebration

Wednesday, December 19, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Come celebrate this Unitarian Universalist festival of lights celebration as we honor our flaming chalice before the community night dinner!  We will tell the story of Ed, Barely an Angel and make chalices that will light each table at dinner and can be taken home to adorn your own holiday table!

Multigenerational Worship Services

Sunday, December 23-- The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Pageant)!

Sunday, December 30-- Story Telling by Brian Flowers

Religious Education classes will be cancelled these two Sundays.  Childcare for children ages 1-4 will still be provided in the Childspace room.

No Community Night Dinner on December 26

Hope to see you at many of these wonderful events-- Merry Christmas!

Crystal Neva

Director of Lifelong Learning

November Happenings in Religious Education for Children and Youth

Greetings BUF Families,

It's that time again for an update about events and activities for families at BUF!  

Read on to learn more about:

• Parent Potluck and Chalice Circle-- 11/2
• Children's Worship-- 11/4
• Open House for families of children in grades K-5-- 11/8
• High School Youth (YRUU) Lockin-- 11/10
• Social Action Sunday-- Celebration of Martinmas-- 11/11 
• Celebration of Martinmas-- 11/14
• Coming of Age Orientation for 7th and 8th grade youth, parents, and mentors-- 11/18
• Coming of Age Leadership Challenge-- 11/25
• YRUU Movie Extravaganza-- 11/25
• Children's Choir Rehearsal Schedule for the Christmas Pageant-- 11/25

Parent Potluck and Chalice Circle

Friday, November 2, 5:00 to 7:30

Bring a dish and join other BUF families for a potluck dinner in our old social hall.  Then stay for a meaningful discussion time with other parents while your children watch a movie.  For more information contact Kathleen Malnor, malnorfamily@gmail.com or Roz Reynolds at mama@mamafoo.net.

Children's Worship

Sunday, November 4 at 9:15 and 11:15

Children and middle school youth are invited to come straight up to the Flex Room for a special worship service planned for your kids (children will NOT start in the sanctuary on this day).  The theme will be shared in the story, "Be Careful What You Wish For: A Halloween Story."  Curious parents are welcome to attend.

Religious Education Open House

Thursday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. RE Floor

Are you curious about your child's religious education?  Would you like to meet the Spirit Play teachers and read the stories your children have been listening to?  Have you always wanted to visit Hogwarts and Diagon Alley-- have you wondered why a Unitarian Universalist church would use the Harry Potter series to teach our principles?  Come to the open house, meet the teachers, review curriculum, look at your children's work.  We look forward to showing it off!

High School Youth Lock In!

Saturday, November 10, 7:00 p.m.

Youth should bring snacks, sleeping bags, pads, pillows, and toiletries to this event! It will more time for bonding and fun with some spirituality woven in.  Please RSVP to Alicia Alford,alialf4@gmail.com if you/your youth is planning on attending this event.

Social Action Sunday-- Martinmas!

Sunday, November 11, 9:15 and 11:15 service

This holiday celebrates St. Martin of Tours-- alive during the 4th century AD.  According to legend he joined the Roman army and was sent to Amiens, where, on horseback, he met a starving man begging alms at the city gates. Moved by deep compassion, he tore his red, woolen his cloak in two with his sword and gave half to the beggar. The next night, he had a dream in which he saw Jesus wearing the half of the cloak he'd given away, surrounded by angels. In the dream, Our Lord asked him to look at it and to see if he recognized it. He did, of course, and realized that he must convert and devote his life to Christ.  We will share the story of his life, make lanterns to light the way and fold the clothing that was donated as part of our clothing drive-- be sure to bring children's clothes on Sunday to include in our offering.

Multigenerational Celebration of Martinmas

Wednesday, November 14, 5:00 to 6:00

The congregation will be invited to participate in the spirit of Martinmas in connection with our community night dinner.  People of all ages are invited to make lanterns to combine with the ones we make on Sunday.  Before dinner, we will light them and have a parade around all the dinner tables.  Hope you will join the fun!

Coming of Age Mandatory Orientation for Youth, Parents and Mentors

Sunday, November 18, 12:45 (after 2nd service) in the Flex Room

Coming of Age is a program for youth in grades 7-8.  It helps our youth develop a religious identity.  Youth work with an adult mentor to complete several activities and requirements.  It culminates in a recognition worship service where youth share their personal credos. Youth and parents should receive an invitational letter in the mail tomorrow or Saturday explaining all the details.  If you have a child in 7th or 8th grade and you don't receive a letter please contact me ASAP so I can get you the information you need to decide if this extracurricular activity is right for your youth.

Leadership Challenge for Coming of Age Participants

Sunday, November 25, time TBD

Participants in the Coming of Age program will have a leadership bonding activity.  Details will be shared as they come available.

YRUU (High School Youth Group) Movie Extravaganza

Sunday, November 25, 2:30-6:30 (loft)

High School youth are invited to a movie extravaganza-- they will watch and discuss one or two movies of interest.  Bring snacks!

Family/Children's Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Sunday, November 25, 10:30-11:15

Our family/children's choir will begin rehearsals for our Christmas Pageant on December 23 where we will overcome the Grinch Who Stole Christmas!  Subsequent rehearsals will be between services on 12/2, 12/9, and 12/16.

That's it for now.  Hope to see you at many of these wonderful events!

October Events At BUF for Families!

Greetings BUF Families!

It is that time again for a Periodic Parent Update.  There are many events and activities happening in October.  Please read on to learn more about:

• Religious Education Community Pages—Get better Connected!
• We need Photos of your children and your family—bring them to class!
• Middle School—Curriculum information and new schedule!
• High School Group—YRUU is shaping up—here is the scoop!
• OWL—Extracurricular program for grades 4-5—Begins this month!
• Pumpkin Patch—a family friendly YAG (young adult group) event—10/13
• Children/Youth Choir—rehearsals 10/14 and 10/21 for a 10/28 Performance!
• Food for Tots and Kids Feeding Kids Sunday—10/21
• Potluck and Pumpkin Carving—10/26
• Youth Haunted House Prep—10/27
• Halloween Carnival and Haunted House—10/28

Get Better Connected with BUF’s RE Community Pages!

Having a family page to include in our new RE Community binders will allow you and other families to look for potential friends in the BUF community while waiting for your child to get out of class.  The idea is to have these pages with a family photo, available in the Flex Room to let other families know the general demographics of your family, what neighborhood you live in, what you enjoy doing and what kind of connections you are looking for.  Imagine looking through the binder and finding a family with similar interests and the photos and contact info is right there!  We have several pages completed but would dearly love to add yours!  The community page form is attached and can also be found in the entry hall—return to Crystal (the box outside my office door is best)!

WANTED: Photos of your Children and Family!

In order for our community pages to be most effective, we need a photo of your family to attach!  ALSO, we would love to decorate our classrooms with current photos of your children.  Please send photos with you names on the back on a Sunday morning—we will make copies as needed and add them to the RE Community Binders as well as post them in classrooms!

Middle School Curriculum

The Middle School will be doing a curriculum called, Riddle and Mystery which helps our youth address the BIG Questions in life.  If you want to check it out you can go tohttp://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/riddle/index.shtml to see the lesson plans.  Marlin Prowell, Michael Lilliquist and Beth Beyers will be leading our class this year and here are a few things to be aware of: 

·      This week (October 7) the Middle School class is canceled (because all advisors will be at the retreat) at church but will meet informally on the 6^th at the retreat. 

·      For the remainder of this year the middle school group will meet right at 11:15 (students will not begin in the sanctuary but will participate in Children’s Worship services beginning in November

·      On October 26^th the middle school group will meet their advisors at 10:00 a.m. to bring back the traditional Haunted House that they will help staff on October 28^th

·      Middle School Youth are invited to participate in the Children/Youth Choir (keep reading for rehearsal dates) to perform in the Halloween service and also the Christmas Pageant!

YRUU—High School Youth Group

October Schedule:

·      Sunday, October 14, time and place TBD

o     Youth advisors are busy calling the youth to finalize the plans for this activity—let me know if your family is missing the information!

·      I Think I Con!  Puget Sound High School Conference, October 26-28, at Camp Cispus

o     The theme of this con is "Carry the Flame" - which may sound familiar if you went to District Assembly!  What we want to focus on is ways in which we can build the kind of inclusive and accepting community that we have at Con back in our youth groups and our schools.  Michael Light and Alicia Alford are excited to chaperone this event if there are youth who want to go!!!  Registration Form and Power Point Presentation about youth cons attached!  Contact person is  Anne-Marie Davidson, amkdavidson@gmail.com, Deadline to register is October 10!

·      BUF's Haunted House-- Saturday, October 27, at 10:00 a.m., and Sunday, October 28 during 1st and 2nd service!

o     If you can't go to con, please consider joining forces with our middle school group to bring back a wonderful BUF tradition and create the haunted house at BUF!  More information coming soon!

OWL (Extracurricular Program) for Grades 4-5

OWL is a Human Sexuality Curriculum that we offer at BUF to children in grades 4-5 and youth grades 7-8 on a rotating year schedule.  This is considered by many to be the most important thing we offer at this church!  Our facilitators this year are Kathleen Malnor and Carl Nyblade.

·      There will be an informational meeting for parentson Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. where you will be encouraged to decide if this is the right choice for your child.

·      If you want to participate there is a MANDATORYparent child orientation on Sunday, October 14 from 6:30 to 8:30

·      Classes will be held for the children on Sunday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:30 beginning 10/21 through 12/2

Pumpkin Patch with the Young Adult Group!

Saturday, October13th at 11a.m.

We are taking our annual trip to Stoney Ridge Farms. All BUFsters are invited. We will have the BUF van and will carpool and caravan from BUF parking lot at 11 a.m. Please remember Stoney Ridge is cash only. Seehttp://www.stoneyridgefarm.com/index.html for details about Stoney Ridge.

Children/Youth Choir Rehearsal ScheduleAll BUF Children/Youth are invited to participate in performances for the Halloween services on 10/28 and our Christmas Pageant on 12/23.  Rehearsals in October will be held between services, from 10:30 to 11:15 in the Flex Room on October 14, and 21.  Contact Beth Beyers atbethbeyers@comcast.net for more information!

Food for Tots and Kids Feeding Kids SundayOctober is the month that BUF pledges at least 1,000 units of baby food (formula…) to the Food Bank.  On October 21, we would like our children to participate in the effort by rolling the grocery cart up the isle and helping to collect baby food from people in the congregation and bringing it to the front.  You can help by making sure to bring baby food all month but especially on the 21^st so your kids will have lots of work to do!

BUF Community Potluck and Pumpkin CarvingFriday, October 26, 5:30
Bring a dish to share and a pumpkin to carve!  This has been a long-standing BUF tradition to carve pumpkins together—this year we will light them all when we have finished and turn out the lights so we can revel in our creative genius.  We are hoping that people of all ages will join in the fun!  BUF has many carving utensils but we can always use more so bring them if you have them! 

Haunted House and Halloween Carnival

Sunday, October 28, during the 9:15 and 11:15 services

Our High School and Middle School Youth are invited to join their advisors on Saturday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. to create the haunted house.  Other adults are invited to help set up for the carnival at the same time.  Then on Sunday we will enjoy the fruits of our labor during both services—youth will run the haunted house and parents will help staff the carnival—I need volunteers for the carnival—setting up, bringing goodies, and staffing the event—please contact me if you are able to help!!!

Save the Dates:

·      Parent Potluck and Chalice Circle—11/2

·      Religious Education Open House for families with children in grades K-5, 11/8 

That’s it for now—Hope you are all having a wonderful fall!!!

Spring Update for Families at BUF!

Greetings BUF Families,

It's that time again for an update!  Read on to find out more information about the following: 

• Sunday Curriculum Available on the Online Community!
• Children's Worship
• Easter Egg Dying
• UU Identity for Adults
• Poetry of Emily Dickinson
• Easter-Intergenerational Service
• Return to One Service

Curriculum... on the Online Community!
I have created 4 new groups on the BUF Online Community-- please visit the site and check them out!  There is a closed group for RE Teachers where I will post teacher schedules, substitute contact lists and weekly updates.  There are open groups for parents and teachers for the Spirit Play class, the Primary Elementary class, and the Intermediate class-- These group sites will provide links to the weekly curriculum and to ideas for taking the lessons home.  They would also be a great place for teachers and parents to begin to communicate with each other about class related things.  The old group for Religious Education for Children will continue to be a place to view these parent updates and other musings.  Please visit the Online Community at http://bellinghamunitarian.ning.com/ and join any and all appropriate groups, or contact the office at administrator@buf.org to get an invitation to join the community.  This will be an important way to communicate with the RE Program as we move into the future so please join today!!!

Children's Worship-- Everyone A Butterfly
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 9:15 and 11:15
Children in grades K-8 should come directly to the Flex room to begin their worship experience together (children will NOT start in the sanctuary as usual).  Please send children with a little money for our special collection.  We will be selecting possible organizations for our money in May and voting in June about where we will spend our money.

Easter Egg Dying
Wednesday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. (after Community Night Dinner)
We supply the dyes, crayons, and stickers..., you supply the hard boiled eggs for your family.  Please join us for this long time beloved BUF tradition!

UU Identity For Adults
Tuesdays, from April 17 to May 22, at 7:00 p.m.
This class is appropriate for an audience with a wide range of experience with Unitarian Universalism.  We will discuss the difference between history, heritage, and identity, explore our UU principles and our foundational sources, as well as attempt to answer Robert Lathem’s 5 compelling religious questions:  Who am I, How do I know what I know, Who or what is in charge, What is my purpose, What does my death mean?  Please RSVP to Crystal at uuneva@gmail.com to get more information. 

Poetry of Emily Dickinson
Thursdays, from April 12- May 17, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Share and explore the inspiring poetry of Emily Dickinson in a small group setting.  Allow the power of words take you deep into yourself and find connection to all existence.  We will read a broad range of poems and share our favorites with other members of the class.  RSVP to Crystal for the reading assignments and schedule!

BUF Community Worship Service-- Jumping Mouse
Easter Sunday, April 8, 9:15 and 11:15
Join us for an All Ages worship service that celebrates the long transforming journey that one mouse makes toward the vision of a better place.  She travels through all the seasons and finds her promised land in the spring after much adventure and adversary. It is an engaging Easter message for us all.  I hope you will come!

Return to One Service!
Beginning on Sunday, April 15, we will have only one worship service at 10:30 and ALL Religious Education Classes will meet at that time as well.  This schedule will last for the remainder of the spring, through the summer, until our In-gathering service on September, 9, 2012.

That's it for now!
In Joy,
Crystal

Adult Religious Education This Spring!!!

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

“THE POETRY OF EMILY DICKINSON”

Adult Religious Education Class

Description

Share and explore the inspiring poetry of Emily Dickinson in a small group setting.  Allow the power of words take you deep into yourself and find connection to all existence.  We will read a broad range of poems and share our favorites with other members of the class.

Facilitator:  Crystal Neva, Director of Lifelong Learning, BUF

Times:  Six Thursday afternoons: April 12-May 17, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Place:  Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Conference Room

Materials:  The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson, by Emily Dickinson and Thomas H. Johnson.  You can find this on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Poems-Emily-Dickinson/dp/0316184136/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1331841499&sr=8-5

For More Information:  Contact Crystal Neva at uuneva@gmail.com or 224-1984.

Method

1. Each week there will be an assigned section of text (see below) to read or peruse (whatever your time allows).  From this section, select a poem (or two or three or four) that particularly interests you and spend some time with it.
2. Then when you come to class there will be a sign in sheet inviting you to write down your name and the title(s) and page number(s) of the poem(s) that particularly interest you.  These will be the poems we discuss in that class.
3. Then during the class we will go through the book and when we get to the poem you selected, you will be invited to read it out loud (or you may ask someone else to read it) and share your comments with the group (e.g., what you see in it, why you like it, what is clear, or unclear…). After you have talked a little about the poem, the poem will be open to general discussion.
4. As facilitator, I will watch the time to make sure that everyone gets a crack at his/her poem.  I may call attention to certain poems that speak to our faith if others don’t….

Reading Assignments

Week 1:  April 12—pages 3-122

Week 2:  April 19—pages 123-241

Week 3:  April 26—pages 242-360

Week 4:  May 3—pages 361-479

Week 5:  May 10—pages 480-600

Week 6:  May 17—pages 601-716

New Curriculum in Religious Education Classes

The BUF Community Worship Service on Sunday, January 29, marked the official end of our fall theme of "Welcoming."  Some classes will have a new curriculum focus.

The Spirit Play Class will continue to work with stories that demonstrate our Seven Principles, and the Sources of our faith.  

The Primary Elementary Class (and the Elementary Class at 9:15) will utilize a curriculum called, "Moral Tales" which can be found at http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/tales/index.shtml.  This curriculum helps children develop a "moral compass" to guide them in their interactions with self and others.  

The Intermediate Class will use a curriculum called, "Love Connects Us" which can be found at http://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/loveconnects/index.shtml and focuses on interconnection and social action.  

The Middle School Class will continue their movie and discussion sessions with a curriculum called, "The Gospel According to the Simpsons" for a review of this curriculum see http://www.umph.org/resources/publications/review.asp?review_id=9.   

Be on the lookout for new class pamphlets that give information about the various topics your children will be learning about each Sunday.