Teaching the Truth

Here is an email received by a colleague from a parent at her UU church in Illinois.

BEGIN QUOTE: Last week my son's middle school Social Studies teacher had them all write down what a "Muslim" was on a piece of paper. Then he asked them to share their answers. My son said he was the only one in his class that didn't write down "terrorist". The teacher then asked my son what his answer was and he said: "a Muslim is a person who practices the religion Islam, they pray 5 times a day, their church is called a Mosque..."...and one more thing that I don't recall right now. The teacher praised him for this knowledge and asked him where he learned that; he said church and the fact that he had visited a Mosque and talked with people who are Muslim just recently.

Later, in the hallway, the kids called him a terrorist.

It shows just how far we still have to go. This makes me proud as a parent but sad as a community member. Thanks for what you do to teach the truth." END OF QUOTE


My HEARTFELT thanks to our Religious Education Committee, the Neighboring Faiths Coordinators, the Neighboring Faiths teachers, and our community for supporting this wonderful program to "teach the truth."

It is so very important work we do...and the work continues.

Renee

Upcoming RE Calendar

February 7th:

9 am RE Classes

10:15 am COA Class/Sharing Locker Orientation

11 am RE begins in the sanctuary

February 14th:

9 am Multigenerational Service "Love Makes a Family"

Join Rev. Barbara and Renee Pierre for a celebration our families. Join us for sweet music and sweet treats...not to be missed!

10 am Soup for the Soul! Yummy soup to warm us up on a cold winter's day.

11 am RE begins in the sanctuary

Youth History Prize by the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society

This just in!

The Unitarian Universalist Historical Society is sponsoring a Youth History Essay Contest with prizes for first and second place. The deadline has been extended to April 1, 2010.

Check out the website for details: http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/

Students must be between the age of 12 and 19 and it must be an original work.

This is a wonderful opportunity to interest youth in our history and how it relates to them in their faith development.

Former Coming of Age graduates are especially encouraged to apply as they have each completed a biography of a famous UU during their program. Senior youth group members are also encouraged to apply as this could be a writing used for an upcoming Soulful Sundown Service.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you would like reference material for your writing.

All this in just a Day!

Although it was only one service at 10 am (rather than our usual 9 & 11 am services), church was a hoppin' place on Sunday!

The children are in Week 2 of our 3rd Term.
Grades 1 through 6 are learning about famous Unitarian Universalists.


The 5th and 6th grade class talked about Frank Lloyd Wright and created their own designs out of recycled materials.

The 3rd and 4th grade class had a local "famous UU" visit their class - Ginny Fox. Here she is seen standing with the children and their teachers who are holding the beautiful peace flags they created that morning. Ginny, a UU from the First Unitarian Church in Providence, is passionate about peace and sharing that passion with everyone she meets! Check out her website at http://thepeaceflagproject.org/.

The first and second grade class was learning about Christopher Reeve and focusing on the Second Rainbow Principle: Offer Fair and Kind Treatment to All. They too had a guest join their class, but they quickly realized that their guest would not be able to climb the stairs to their class on the second floor so they came down to the first floor to meet with her. Alice, a long-time member of our church, told the children that she had been in an accident several years ago and that she can no longer walk. She stressed to the children that she is still the same person on the inside even if she looks different on the outside. The kids asked lots of wonderful questions and Alice was patient and thoughtful in her responses.

And a stop by the nursery this morning found Kim and Evan sharing a story together!












Last, but not least...our congregation voted on building issues and budget issues... always keeping the future generations in their hearts and minds!

And just think.... all this in just a day!

Lots of Love!

Our friend Tae was out sick today and we thought we'd send him some Get Well Wishes!

CHILDREN'S CHAPEL January 17, 2010

The children began their morning in the Sanctuary this past Sunday. We listened to Rev. Barbara talk about her trip to New Orleans and the work she did helping to rebuild a home while she was down there. We talked about our 7 UU principles and how important it is to use our "Open minds, helping hands and loving hearts" to put our principles into action.

As a reminder, here are our principles:

Seven Rainbow Principles of Unitarian Universalism
Red: Respect the importance and value of all beings.
Orange: Offer fair and kind treatment to all.
Yellow: Yearn to learn through life.
Green: Grow by exploring ideas and values together.
Blue: Believe in our ideas and act on them.
Indigo: Insist on peace, freedom and justice for all.

Violet: Value our interdependence with nature.

After leaving the Sanctuary, the children and I headed over to Children's Chapel. The discussion segued from Martin Luther King Jr. to the tragedy in Haiti. The children brainstormed ways they could help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. They decided they would like to help the "first responders" who are helping in Haiti right now and they chose to support the American Red Cross.

They came up with two ways to help: (1) doing extra chores around the house or neighborhood to raise money for the Red Cross and (2) hosting a used toy sale to be held next Sunday in Fellowship Hall - children can bring in a used toy or book (in excellent condition) to sell and bring in money to purchase a used toy or book. All of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

Please contact me if you or your child have any questions about this wonderful giving opportunity.

Renee Pierre, Director of Religious Education

401-487-8618

westminsterdre@gmail.com

CHILDREN'S CHAPEL December 13, 2009

CHILDREN'S CHAPEL 12/13/09 - PRAYER

OPENING WORDS: Open your hearts to the wonder of worship.Open your minds to the search for meaning and truth.Open your eyes to the miracle of creation. Open your arms to the embrace of loved ones. Open your souls, and let the divine sweep in. Rev David Usher-adapted

HYMN #389 (with hand gestures) Gathered Here in the Mystery of the hour Gathered here in one strong body Gathered here in the struggle and the power Spirit draw near

CHALICE LIGHTING #452 Life is a gift for which we are grateful. We gather in community to celebrate the glories and the mysteries of this great gift.

Rainbow Candles/Principles

CHILDREN'S AFFIRMATION:

We are Unitarian Universalists. We are people with open minds, helping hands, and loving hearts. (with hand gestures)

OFFERTORY - Today's offering will be shared 50/50

DISCUSSION OF PRAYER
Do you pray?
What kind of prayers? (table grace, bedtime prayers, same? different?)
Do you hear prayers that other people say?
Do UUs pray?
What kind of prayers?

BEDTIME PRAYER HANDOUT:

May I open my heart

To the Spirit of Life

May I be grateful for the goodness in my life (name something you are grateful for)

May I offer forgiveness to myself and others (say sorry to someone or for something)

May I remember those who love me and whom I love (name those you love and who love you)

Blessed be

and Amen.

CRAFT: UU Rainbow Prayer Beads

CLOSING: Carry the Flame