Advent is traditionally known among Christians as a time of expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation, and cheerful preparation. The word derives from the Latin ad+venire, which means “To come to,” or “to come toward.” As we ready our families for the holiday season this year, what better way to prepare than with Kindness? By centering others … Continued
The following is a “Community Poem” woven together from the responses of the Follen community to the question “Where Are YOU From?” after hearing poems from Rev. Claire Feingold Thoryn, DRE Beryl Aschenberg, Youth Advisory Committee Vice-Chair Lila Sandler, and the original “Where I’m From” poem written by George Ella Lyon which inspired this project. … Continued
We want YOU to Teach RE in 2020-2021 Do you believe our values are needed more than ever these days? Do you care about the well-being of our children and youth? Do you have a little capacity? Are you able to use the internet with some ease? If you answered YES to any or all … Continued
from Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education I’ve heard some parents say that they are giving their children a “pass” on Sunday mornings during Virtual Church. That’s often been the case in Unitarian Universalism, even when we were offering children Sunday School in our buildings. I used to joke that UUs didn’t believe that they … Continued
from Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education To all the children and youth and families of Follen Church: I’ve been thinking about all of you so much this week and wanting to reach out to you to see how you are. Usually, sending a message to you when our regular routines are being changed for … Continued
RE-Flections from Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education Time has new perspective these days, doesn’t it, Friends? Now, each hour seems to bring the need for discernment. What we know at the time of this writing is that in addition to going “virtual” with our Sunday Services, our Sunday Morning Religious Education classes are being … Continued
RE-flections from Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education As Unitarian Universalists, we are often asked to explain our beliefs and values to curious friends and family, and sometimes even to folks we don’t know that well. As difficult as this might be for adults, it is even more of a challenge to children. And believe … Continued
“The great end in religious instruction… is not to stamp our minds irresistibly on the young, but to stir up their own.” ~William Ellery Channing Religious Education for children and youth is returning to Follen beginning on Sunday, September 8 with our “Ingathering Service”, a time when we are all called back together from our … Continued
by Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education One of the many facets of Unitarian Universalism that I appreciate is that we have such a great deal of theological diversity, and yet we are called together in love and support as we figure out our ways of being present in the world. That said, I have … Continued
I’ve been thinking about Kindness a lot lately. Quite frankly, I believe our world could use a lot more of it. We are living in a time when our political differences often result in behavior that is not just cruel, but often dangerous. Perhaps acts of kindness are the antithesis of a practice that can … Continued
