RE This Week – December 4th

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This coming Sunday morning, 12/9, with an early start time of 10:00(!), everyone in attendance in the Great Hall will be treated to a wonderful performance of Revels! The performance will be followed by a retirement party for longtime Music Director Gary Griffiths.

Next Sunday, 12/16, everyone will attend a meaningful multigenerational service in the Great Hall at 10:30. I will be out of the office from 12/13-12/18, as I will be in Florida attending my daughter Molly’s wedding! RE Chair Erin Piotrowski has graciously offered to cover for me while I’m away.

Wednesday, December 12, at 7 pm, there is a Parent Orientation scheduled for parents and guardians of Sr Youth registered for 11/12 OWL (Our Whole Lives); the meeting will take place in the Sr Youth classroom in Waters House. This meeting is a requirement for participants of the 11/12 OWL program.

This past weekend I had the honor of attending a youth chaplaincy training program right here at the UUSS. The training was facilitated by Kyrill Gill and our very own Rev Lynn Gardner! It was an important training and a deeply meaningful experience. Twenty-five youth, five advisors, and two facilitators sharing honesty, insight, laughter, difficult topics, and a lot of learning. If what I witnessed this weekend is any indication, these youth are truly a promise of hope.

If you have any questions, call (607) 435-2803 or email dlre@uuschenectady

HAPPY CHALICA! Yesterday was the first day of the UU Holiday, Chalica. If you don’t know, Chalica is a weeklong holiday starting on the first Monday in December, with each day focused on one of the seven UU Principles. Chalica is an invitation to spend a day with each of the Principles, reflecting on their meaning and doing a good deed focused on each one. A chalice is to be lit each day. Gifts may be given during the week, but they can be notes or small handmade items.

UU’ss have many ways of articulating our seven Principles in simpler language. Here’s the way our children’s program describes them:

1st Principle: We believe that each and every person is important.

2nd Principle: We believe that all people should be treated fairly and kindly.

3rd Principle: We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together.

4th Principle: We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life.

5th Principle: We believe that all persons should have a vote about the things that concern them.

6th Principle: We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.

7th Principle: We believe in caring for our planet Earth, the home we share with all living things.

To learn more about Chalica, CLICK HERE!