Here we are, in the last two weeks of summer break, looking ahead to a bunch of “back to’s.” Back to school for many, of course, and back to many of our church programs. I’ve always loved this time of year, ever since I was a little kid getting a new box of crayons. In fact, the back to school supply displays at the store still make me happy. Who doesn’t want to start out on a new year of learning or teaching with new pens, highlighters, and a nice blank planning calendar to fill in?
OK, some of you may not relate to that nerdy joy, but I bet many of you do. And for everyone, whether you are breaking out new highlighters and pens right now or not, there are some cool things to look forward to at OUUC this Fall:
Our overall theme at OUUC for this program year is “Building a community that engages in spiritual deepening for connection, reflection, and transformation.” We are thinking about how those three actions (connection, reflection, and transformation) are present in all our programs and work here at OUUC. And we will also have monthly themes that help us explore the values of the proposed new Article II. Don’t know what Article II is - learning more is another thing to look forward to!
Thursday Dinners Return! Starting September 7th and on each Thursday after that dinner will be served to all and sundry at 5:30. Come for community and food!
Books, Beans, and Brownies will be on October 28th, and book sorting at OUUC begins on September 10th. Look for book boxes and information about volunteering in the Commons.
Adult Education classes and Soul Matters groups will be starting up. I’m offering a Coming of Age for adults class this fall, and there will be many other learning opportunities. Watch for announcements in the weekly email or look for Adult Education on the OUUC website to learn more and sign up for classes.
Book groups! The long running OUUC book group is moving to Tuesdays this Fall, and Rev Mary will be leading a Justice Book Group on Thursdays. Look for information about both on the Adult Education page.
Choir begins again. Want to sing? Practices are Wednesday evenings, talk to Troy to find out more.
Spiritual Path groups are forming now. I will be leading a UU Pagan group, and there will also be a UU Christian group and a UU Buddhist group. Watch for announcements in the weekly emails to learn more.
Youth group will begin again and this year middle and high school youth and their families will be exploring different faiths with a program called “Faith Families and Neighbors”.
Elementary age kids will be offered a class about death, “Lessons of Loss”, on Thursday evenings 6:30-7:30 starting September 21st.
And that’s not everything, so keep watching these communication channels as the Fall rolls out.
For all of us, whether we are shopping for school supplies or not, I offer this blessing as we approach this season of transition:
May all your tools of expression, crayons or otherwise, be sharp and colorful
May the existence of erasers remind you that it’s OK to make mistakes
May you fill the days of your calendar with things you want to do
May you have tools to measure progress, but know that you set the mark for “enough” where it is right for you
And may your backpack not be too heavy for your shoulders
Blessed be, my dears
