October Festivities!

Greetings Parents,

It's that time again for an update about what is going on in Children's Programs at BUF!

We have had a strong start this fall! I hope you are enjoying the RE Minutes at the beginning of the worship services. It is nice to have an opportunity to let the whole community know about the great things your children and youth are doing! I am also enjoying the stories and absolutely loving that our kids don't have to sit through announcements anymore!

Of course the pesky announcements still need to be made so we all know what is going on; so... here is your update for the upcoming month.

Read on to learn more about:

·      RE Registration Update

·      All Church Retreat 10/3-10/5

·      Mandatory Parent Information Meeting for OWL for Children in Grades 4-5—(10/6)

·      RE Sponsored Community Night Dinner and Dia De Los Muertos (10/8)

·      Children's Worship Service (10/12)

·      Mandatory Parent Child Orientation for OWL for Children in Grades 4-5 (10/12)

·      Kids Feeding Kids Sunday (10/19)

·      Middle School Visits Christ the King (10/19)

·      Middle School and High School Create BUF's traditional Haunted House (10/19)

·      Fall Harvest Festival (10/25)

·      Multigenerational Worship Service (10/26)

·      Find Your Place at BUF (10/26)

·      Coming of Age... it's coming!

RE Registration Update

We have had a good response to our Registration push this fall, however there are still many regular attendees who are not registered yet.

It is important for our records that you fill out a registration form for each church year (good from September-June). Please check with Crystal if you are unsure if your child is registered or not!

All Church Retreat

Friday, October 3-5, Camp Kirby

Our Whole Lives (OWL)—Values Based Human Sexuality Curriculum for Children in Grades 4-5

Considered by many parents to be the single most important thing we offer our children! This 8-week curriculum gives 4th and 5th grade children age appropriate, accurate, and relationship based information about puberty and sexuality. Don’t let your child miss out on this great opportunity—come to the parent meeting to find out more!

• Mandatory Parent Information Meeting—Monday, October 6, 7:00 pm

• Mandatory Parent Child Orientation—Sunday, October 12, 6:30-8:30

• Class Sessions for Children—Sundays from October 19 through December 7 from 6:30-8:00

Children’s Worship—Hunger In Our Community

Sunday, October 12, 10:30 am

Children in grades K-5 begin upstairs in the Flex Room for a special worship service just for them. We will have these monthly on second Sundays. Children play music for each other, interact about things that matter, and participate in a special collection.  We collect money all year long in a jar and in June we vote on an agency to donate our money to.

Kids Feeding Kids Sunday

Sunday, October 19, 10:30

Children will help bring up the food collection this week in honor of our efforts to supply the Bellingham Food Bank with at least 1000 units of baby food during the month of October. This ritual is especially effective and meaningful if the children and youth of the congregation actually bring food on this day! Food donations can be brought any time and left in the baskets by the front doors.

Middle School Church Visit-- Christ the King!

Sunday, October 19, (arrive at BUF by 10:30 am) to carpool over in time for their 11:15 service.

Our middle school class always incorporates church visits in their curriculum to explore many faith traditions and ponder the role religion plays in our lives. This is one of the most interesting and memorable aspects of my UU education when I was that age. I hope your youth can make it!

Haunted House Creation!

Sunday, October 19, 12:30-3:00 pm

Middle school and high school youth are invited to create our traditional haunted house! We will operate the Haunted House during the Fall Festival and the Sunday before Halloween! All youth are encouraged to participate!

Multigenerational Worship-- Strangers as Guides!

Sunday, October 26, 10:30

BUF members and friends of all ages will worship together in this festive holiday service! All BUFsters are encouraged to come in costume and participate in our annual costume parade!

Find Your Place at BUF

Sunday, October 26, 11:45...

This event happens concurrently with coffee hour. Leaders/representatives from BUF's programs, groups, and committees .. host a table in the social hall to give people more information about their group. Be sure to check it out!

Coming of Age...

This is an extracurricular program for youth in grades 7-8. Our program begins with a Mandatory Orientation for Youth, Parents and Adult Mentors on November 16th at 12:30 pm.  Parents and eligible youth will receive a special invitation to participate with a request of a commitment by mid-late October. How will I know your son/daughter is in 7th or 8th grade and is potentially interested? Why he/she will be registered in our program, of course!

Hope you enjoy this beautiful season!

Cheers,

Crystal