5th-7th Grade Religious Education Newsletter: September 18, 2020

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Religious Education & Faith Development Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains September 18, 2020 2020-2021 Religious Education (RE) theme: JUSTICE & EQUITY   Supporting our young people in understanding justice issues, articulating their values, and engaging in faith in action with CUUC Social Justice teams. Fall 2020 Resources: Hunger/Food Insecurity & Homelessness Participation and Voice, UU the Vote Anti-Racism, Racial Justice Ellery Churchmouse learns about Unitarian Universalism and deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, click HERE (Instagram). Each picture has a wonderful explanation.  It's that yummy time of year! A Guide to Westchester Apple Picking PEN America, Recommended Books for Our Moment 5th - 7th Grade Community RE Classes Begin This Sunday! -RE Leaders: Denice Tomlinson, Alex Sehdeva, Gail Johnston -SJ Partner: Karen Leahy, UU the Vote -Class Begins Sunday, September 20th, 11:45am-12:30pm   -Zoom 8428 Breakout Room | Zoom Mtg ID 817 388 428 + Passcode: 468468 -Class Meets Online *9 Times Through December - Youth will be making a video about why it is important to them that adults vote so they are adding two extra classes before the election. You'll be able to share the video with family and friends! Click HERE for the updated schedule and additional information.  Social Conscience Series Featuring Common FREE! Important issues such as racism, sexism, and social advocacy are too often shortchanged or omitted in mainstream curriculum. Classes in this series aim to arm today's learners with the knowledge to effectively serve as tomorrow's leaders. Session 1: Finding Your Voice. For more information and to register, click HERE.  Story Time  Thursdays, 7:05pm Check-In & 7:15-8:00pm Story, Room 4635. Barbara Mair continues reading "The Saturdays" by Elizabeth Enright. Click HERE for a description of the story and coloring sheets.  Click HERE to listen to Barbara read parts 1 & 2. Next up, Jonathan will read "A Dog's Porpoise" by M.C. Ross. Room 4635| Zoom Mtg ID 602 164 635 & Pswd 468468. A New School Year With the new school year starting during a pandemic, many parents, children, and youth are feeling stressed. We hope these resources are helpful: NAMI Westchester Family Support Group Child Mind Institute Back to School Resources - Manage Anxiety, Modify an IEP or 504, Manage Remote or Hybrid Learning & Signs of Depression During the Coronavirus Crisis & Additional Resources NY Schools COVID Report Card  If you are struggling, please reach out for support: Westchester's St. Vincent's Crisis Team, 914-925-5959; NAMI HelpLine, 914-592-5458; National Suicide Hotline, 800-273-8255; The Trans Lifeline, 877-565-8860. Get some CUUC Caring & Sharing TLC by contacting Paula Meighan, 914-924-0204, or Liz Laite, 914-366-4211.  Be Inspired Center for Healthy Minds Series: Our Actions can Plant Seeds for a Better Tomorrow, Well-Being Tips & a Discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. VOTE! Encourage others to vote, like our 5th-7th grade RE class will be doing with Karen Leahy & UU the Vote! You can also Rock the Vote. All registered NY voters can request an absentee ballot TODAY under the "temporary illness" designation; request your absentee ballot HERE. The UU Soul Matters group offers this family resource about RENEWAL with activities and discussion prompts. When we embrace renewal, we accept that what worked in the past may not work in the future, and we trade the confidence of experience and mastery for the release, excitement, and opportunity of beginner’s mind. That kind of renewal is a gift to our kids and ourselves. Soul Matters also shares their Spotify playlists related to their monthly themes. Stay tuned for family resources related to our CUUC themes of Resilience (October), Hope (November), and Abundance (December). Adult Community Beloved Conversations Several CUUC members are participating in the Beloved Conversation 4-part online series this fall. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and RE leaders to have support for the conversations you are having at home and in RE. Register for the Fall Term of of Beloved Conversations by the Sun Sep 20 deadline and receive a generous discount offered by an anonymous donor and matched by CUUC so your cost is only $25. Send payment confirmation to Joe Majsak for reimbursement or other payment arrangements. Learn more and register HERE.  Adult RE & Groups Every Sunday at 1:30pm there will be an Adult Religious Education offering led by Rev. Meredith, Tracy, or CUUC teams. Watch the weekly RE newsletter, e-Communitarian or CUUC calendar for topics. Three Sundays this fall during the 1:30pm hour, Tracy will offer support space for adults having conversations with young people about our fall justice topics. We will share ideas for discussing democratic participation, hunger/food insecurity, homelessness, anti-Blackness and racial justice as faith and justice issues. Dates are posted on the Fall RE schedule.  The CUUC Journey Groups are a way to deepen our understanding of life and strengthen our connections to one another by exploring monthly themes together. The Family Journey Group, led by Alex Sehdeva and Irene Cox, meets monthly on 2nd Fridays. Click HERE to see all groups and select the one that works best for you. For the September issue of On the Journey: "Journeying & Wandering," click HERE. Stay Connected Read All RE Newsletters Online HERE Sign Up for RE Newsletters HERE Read the weekly CUUC e-Communitarian online HERE Class Resources: Hunger/Food Insecurity & Homelessness // Democratic Participation // Racial Justice Click HERE for activity resources Journey Groups are open to new members, information HERE CUUC Event Calendar: meetings, events, and Zoom login links  Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains   468 Rosedale Ave · White Plains, NY 10605-5419