Friday, June 14, 2013

Summer Programs for Children at BUF


News For BUF Families

We are wrapping up another year at BUF.  I hope you found inspiration for your lives, made meaningful connections, and feel supported in your efforts to raise your children with a sense of wonder, purpose and moral responsibility.  There are a few things for you to be aware of as we move into summer mode:  

Children's Special Collection for NSEAEach month, during our Children's Worship Services we take a special collection that we save all year until June.  In the spring we start thinking about what kind of service or organization we would like to support.  This year the children talked about the importance of cleaning up streams and caring for the forest and the animals that live there. We took a vote on June 2nd and we decided to give the money to the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association.  The children raised $100.85.  The letter we will send to NSEA is attached.

Crystal's Summer Schedule
I am officially off after Father's Day until the beginning of August. I will be checking email infrequently and keep a folder of all your great ideas to consider more formally in August. Cydne will be available to you but will be working reduced hours during July.

Multigenerational Worship and Flower Communion
This Sunday, June 16, is Father's Day and the official end of our church year.  We will be celebrating Fathers and have our annual Flower Communion. Please be sure to have each person in your family bring a flower for our special ritual. 

Summer Sunday's and Childcare
There will be no formal Religious Education Classes from June 16 through Labor Day.  There will be wonderful worship services coordinated by Melanie Rieck. Summer is often a wonderful time to experience BUF because of the ingenious variety of inspiring speakers we get to be exposed to.  And you can feel confident that your children will be well taken care of when you decide to participate in worship services.  Children will begin in the worship service as usual and then be invited to a time of supervised activities.  This year I have scheduled 3 childcare providers each Sunday.  The childcare leads this summer are Sarah Robertson, a young adult in our community who is dedicated to working with children and Molly Pearson, a lifetime member of BUF and senior in high school who has had childcare and teaching experience in our Hogwarts program this fall.  These young women will be helped by our experienced childcare providers: Tor Sacco, Behah Thurn, Annika Rauch, Ben, and Haley Holmgren.  The leads will provide some structure each Sunday that will include a chalice lighting and a story.  Children will then have options for what to do with the rest of the time. If the whole group is interested they may sometimes walk over to Fouts Park to play. Childcare ends promptly at 11:45 each Sunday-- please get your children before going downstairs for coffee. 

Save the Date Middle School Conference 2013September 27-29, 2013 at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island
Join 70 other UU 6th, 7th and 8th graders from around the Sound as they enjoy a weekend of fun, sharing and living our UU Principles.  Sponsored by Liberal Religious Educators Association’s Puget Sound Cluster Cost $120 before August. 31 or $135 after August 31 includes meals all day Saturday, breakfast & lunch Sunday, lodging, all camp activities: Archery, Boating, Talent Show!
For more information please contact your Director of Religious Education or Lori Fernholz-Hartman at dre@tuuc-wa.org or 253-476-2799 Final registration deadline Sept. 6, no exceptions. Half-scholarships are available for early birds only. 

Last year was the first year BUF participated in this conference. It was without a doubt a big hit with the 5 youth who attended.  I will send registration materials for this as soon as I get them-- Please let me know if your son/daughter is interested so I can arrange for a chaperone!

Save the Date for BUF's All Church Retreat
October, 4-6 at Camp Kirby!
More information to come!

Two New Programs for Parents: Parent Chalice Circles and Parent Forums! 
I have been talking with Roz and Kathleen and the Religious Education Committee and have decided to augment the wonderful First Friday Potluck program they began last year. Next year, beginning in September, we will have First Friday Potluck and Parent Forum/ Kids Movie Night! One or more ongoing chalice circles for parents will also be formed (but scheduled to meet at another time).  For those who may not know, Chalice Circles are closed groups of 10 or so individuals who gather at a specific time each month to share their thoughts on a particular topic.  Facilitators are provided with a session plan that includes a chalice lighting and closing as well as a topic with some questions or some other kind of centerpiece activity.  Sharing is typically talking stick style (with each person holding the floor for a distinct period of time). 

I have created a short survey to find out about your interest in chalice circles and also to find out which forum topics would be of interest to you. PLEASE click on the link below to fill out the survey-- it shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes. THANK YOU!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VLTMCX6

I hope you all have wonderful summers full of sunshine, smiles, and great adventures!

See you Sunday,
Crystal