A Note of Gratitude

Now that K/1 OWL is ending, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our participating families and their faithful leaders, Joel Best, Megan McClearn, and Sarah Tyo, for completing a program that makes UUSS, our children, and the world safer, more knowledgeable, and more healthily connected. All of our OWL programs are made up of dedicated individuals who sacrifice their time and generously share their wisdom, and we couldn’t be more grateful! If you’re interested in learning more about OWL—whether to see how to get your child involved or how you as an adult could contribute to the program—reach out to HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org.

RE for Children and Youth highlights for this Sunday, April 28th (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• 5/6 and 8/9 OWL; last day of K/1 OWL!
• Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• May 5: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL; Youth Group
• May 12: Children’s Chapel; closing session of 8/9 OWL
• May 19: Spring Fling and Youth Group

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

Take the Lead!

Have you ever browsed the Unitarian Universalist Association’s many curriculum offerings? With programming for children, Youth, adults, and multi-generations, the UUA’s Tapestry of Faith may just scratch an educational need you didn’t even know you had! If you see a program that you’d like to lead or even just take part in, reach out to your friendly neighborhood DLRE, HB, at dlre@uuschenectady.org to see what we can accomplish together.

RE for Children and Youth highlights for this Sunday, April 21st (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• 5/6 and 8/9 OWL; last day of K/1 OWL!
• Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL
• Youth Group

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• Apr. 28: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL
• May 5: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL; Youth Group
• May 12: Children’s Chapel
• May 19: Spring Fling and Youth Group

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

Youth Con 2024

Did you know the UUSS Youth Group will be hosting a Con right here on our home turf? June 7-8 we’ll be opening our facilities to Youth across our region for an intrepid expedition: chUUse your CON adventure! If you can help supervise some sessions OR if you have white elephant gifts you’d be willing to donate for Con prizes, contact HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org.

RE for Children and Youth highlights for this Sunday, April 14th (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• Hands-on activities for children and Youth (Cluster Service!)

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• Apr. 21: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Last day of K/1 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL; Youth Group
• Apr. 28: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL
• May 5: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL; Youth Group
• May 12: Children’s Chapel

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

NOW OPEN: The Waters House Lending Library!

Are you looking for more information about UU theology or history? Would you like to read a picture book about the Day of the Dead? Do you need resources on how to talk to someone in your life about death or life or sex or nature or mythology? The Waters House Library has been made over and is ready for visitors! We’ve got hundreds of books covering just about as many topics as you can think of, and they’re all available to check out. Contact HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org for times and days to visit-though Sunday mornings will always be a time you can count on someone being at Waters House.

RE for Children and Youth highlights for this Sunday, April 7 (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• K/1, 5/6, and 8/9 OWL
• Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL
• Youth Group

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• Apr. 14: Cluster Service (multigenerational) at UUSS – with hands-on activities for children and Youth!
• Apr. 21: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Last day of K/1 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL; Youth Group
• Apr. 28: 5/6 & 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

Faith development spans all ages!

Religious Education (RE) is found in all we do here at UUSS–it’s not just classes for kids! Philosophy Discussion, Mid-day Meditation, CC&C, The Artist’s Way–these are all part of LIFESPAN Religious Education. Helping you find your niche at UUSS is one of HB’s biggest goals. So whether you’re four or forty or or eighty-four, HB hopes there’s a class that fits your wants and needs. If you have an idea for a new offering, don’t hesitate to reach out to her at dlre@uuschenecteady.org.

RE for Children and Youth highlights for this Sunday, March 24 (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• OWL for enrolled Kindergarteners/1st graders and 5th/6th graders.
• 8/9 OWL in Albany.
• Multi-age Spirit Play for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders and kids not enrolled in OWL.

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• Mar. 31: Multigenerational Service in the Great Hall
• Apr. 7: K/1, 5/6, 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL, Youth Group
• Apr. 14: Cluster Service (multigenerational) at UUSS

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

Celebrate good times!!!

This Sunday, March 17th is going to be a good time, and we’re going to celebrate! That means some small adjustments to our normal schedule, so please read carefully–and don’t hesitate to reach out to HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org if you have any questions.

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 17:

10:00 AM–5/6 OWL begins class in Waters House

10:30 AM–Celebration Sunday begins in Great Hall

• 5/6 OWL will be escorted to Great Hall
• All other age groups begin in service in Great Hall
• Nursery will be available for children under 5

After Story for All Ages:

• K/1 OWL to classroom
• All other school-age groups–including Youth–escorted to Waters House

11:50(ish) AM–More Celebration!!

• ALL students will be escorted back to Great Hall
• OWL classes MAY run over; they will return to Great Hall upon class completion
• Face painting, origami, and coloring will be available!!

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

• Mar. 24: K/1, 5/6, 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.
• Mar. 31: EASTER!
• Apr. 7: K/1, 5/6, 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL, Youth Group.
• Apr. 14: Cluster Service at Doane Stuart.

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

What, you might wonder, is RE?

“RE” is the acronym for Religious Education–and here at UUSS that means LIFESPAN Religious Education. So if you’re three or thirty-three or three hundred and three, we’re working to offer educational opportunities that meet YOUR needs. Our Adult Faith Development Team has some great classes coming up, and our RE for Children and Youth Team will soon be re-forming! If you’d like to be on a team, or if you have an idea for a team, or if you’d like to send your appreciation to a team, be sure to reach out to HB, DLRE (Director of Lifespan Religious Education) by writing dlre@uuschenectady.org or calling (518) 374-4446, ext. 6.

RE highlights for this Sunday, March 10 (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• OWL for enrolled Kindergarteners/1st graders and 5th/6th graders.
• 8/9 OWL overnight March 9-10 in Albany.
• Faithful Funday for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders and kids not enrolled in OWL.
• Youth Group BOWLING!

RE for Children and Youth Calendar at-a-glance:

Mar. 17: 8/9 OWL in Albany; all other groups start in the Great Hall for a Celebration Sunday! After the Time for All Ages, there’s K/1 OWL and 5/6 OWL, Youth Group, and Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL. PLUS: Activities for kids in the Great Hall after the service.

Mar. 24: K/1, 5/6, 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 31: EASTER!

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

UUSS is springing some awesome spring Religious Education programming on you! Highlights for this Sunday (additional details in the RE newsletter!):

• Nursery for children 5 and under.
• OWL for enrolled Kindergarteners/1st graders, 5th/6th graders, and 8th/9th graders.
• Multi-age Spirit Play for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders and kids not enrolled in OWL.
• Youth Group for anyone 8th grade and up not in OWL.

RE Calendar at-a-glance:

• Mar. 10: K/1, 5/6, and 8/9 OWL; Faithful Funday for K-7 folks not in OWL. Youth Group BOWLING!
• Mar. 17: 8/9 OWL in Albany; all other groups start in the Great Hall for a Celebration Sunday! After the Time for All Ages, there’s K/1 OWL and 5/6 OWL, Youth Group, and Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL. PLUS: Activities for kids in the Great Hall after the service.
• Mar. 24: K/1, 5/6, 8/9 OWL; Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.
• Mar. 31: EASTER! (multigenerational worship service)

Are you signed up to receive the RE newsletter? It comes out on Thursdays, gives more detail, and has a new look! Email HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org to receive this excellent source of information.

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5: The nursery opens at 10:15. And little ones are always welcome in worship, if you prefer!

FOR KINDERGARTNERS THROUGH SEVENTH GRADERS: Faithful Funday! After the Story for All Ages in the Great Hall, these folks will be escorted across the street to Waters House for activities about equity.

FOR 8th THROUGH 12th GRADERS: Youth Group! After the Story for All Ages, youth can go to Waters House together with youth group leaders. There will be no OWL class this week.

RE Calendar at-a-glance:

Feb. 25: K/1 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Multi-age Spirit Play for 5/6 OWL kids as well as K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 3: K/1 OWL and 5/6 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Youth Group, Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 10: K/1 and 5/6 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Faithful Funday for K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 17: 8/9 OWL in Albany; all other groups start in the Great Hall for a Celebration Sunday! After the Time for All Ages, there’s K/1 OWL and 5/6 OWL, Youth Group, and Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.

HELP STILL NEEDED!

Do you hear what I hear? Do you believe in life after love? Do you remember the 21st night in September? Those are all good songs, and I hope they caught your attention. BUT THE REAL QUESTION IS: Do you want to make an impact on the next generation and help out your religious education program? Please reach to dlre@uuschenectady.org to hear about some great volunteer opportunities. If you can help out even one Sunday, you’ll make such a positive difference!

This Sunday, February 11, is the next step into many journeys for our RE participants. So glad to be on this learning adventure with you!

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5: Per usual, the nursery opens at 10:15. And little ones are always welcome in worship, if you prefer!

FOR KINDERGARTNERS AND 1st GRADERS:

• K/1 OWL kids will meet in the Favorite UU Stories room from 10:30 to about 11:30.
• Kids enrolled in kindergarten and 1st grade not participating in OWL can join Spirit Play! After the Story for All Ages in the Great Hall, these folks will be escorted across the street to room 2B on the second floor of Waters House.

FOR 2nd, 3rd, AND 4th GRADERS: Spirit Play! After the Story for All Ages in the Great Hall, these folks will be escorted across the street to room 2B on the second floor of Waters House.

FOR 5th AND 6th GRADERS:

• 5/6 OWL kids will meet in room 2D on the second floor of Waters House from 10:30 to about 12:00.
• Kids enrolled in 5th and 6th grades not participating in OWL can join Spirit Play! After the Story for All Ages in the Great Hall, these folks will be escorted across the street to room 2B on the second floor of Waters House.

FOR 7th GRADERS: Spirit Play! After the Story for All Ages in the Great Hall, these folks will be escorted across the street to room 2B on the second floor of Waters House.

FOR 8th AND 9th GRADERS:

• 8/9 OWL will continue to meet in Albany. If you need carpool information, email dlre@uuschenectady.org.
• Kids not enrolled in 8/9 OWL are welcome in the Great Hall for service.

FOR 10th-12th GRADERS: Service in the Great Hall! Next Youth Group meeting will be held on Sunday, February 18.

RE Calendar at-a-glance:

Feb. 18: Faithful Funday for K-7 folks, Youth Group (no OWL!).

Feb. 25: K/1 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Multi-age Spirit Play for 5/6 OWL kids as well as K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 3: K/1 OWL and 5/6 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Youth Group, Multi-age Spirit Play for K-7 folks not in OWL.

Mar. 10: K/1 and 5/6 OWL, 8/9 OWL in Albany, Faithful Funday for K-7 folks not in OWL.

HELP NEEDED!

Do you enjoy a little bit of improv? How do you feel about awesome stories? Want to influence the next generation? Help your RE program out by choosing a couple of Sundays (just from February through May) to support a leader of Spirit Play and/or Children’s Chapel!! Please contact HB at dlre@uuschenectady.org. Training (and FUN!) provided!!