This is such a hard day for many of us. We are bewildered, grieving, angry… uncertain about what comes next. But we are not alone. YOU are not alone. I offer you these words that Follen member Jane S. shared with me this morning: Things to do today: practice gratitude, reach out, do whatever serves … Continue reading For Follen Parents: A Post-Election Invitation and Resources
RE-Flections by Beryl A., Director or Religious Education Hear how the songs that were sung keep echoing, beautiful and clear. All of the people we loved are beside us now, can’t you feel them near? -Candles Long Ago (Sharon, Lois, and Bram) Throughout human history, people have gathered in the coldest, darkest time of … Continue reading RE-Flections: Holiday Traditions
For Parents and Caregivers: Talking with Children and Youth about War From Beryl A., Director of Religious Education Once again, we are looking on as violence spreads across the world stage. And once again, parents, caregivers, and teachers are faced with the challenge of explaining war and the threat of terrorism to their children. Over … Continue reading RE-flections: When the News is Scary
Spring is here, and RE kids of all ages got outside together in a safe manner this past weekend! (click any picture to enlarge) Our youngest kids came to the Gnome Hunt Saturday. The Middle School Youth Group had a hike at Great Brook Farm. Follen UU Youth took a bike ride for ice cream! … Continue reading RE-flections: What a Weekend!
by Beryl A., Director of Religious Education Over the years, I’ve known many a Unitarian Universalist parent to grapple with ways to address their children’s curiosity about Easter. Even the youngest children seem to hear details of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and naturally want to know more. I’ll get to that. But first … Continue reading RE-flections on Easter
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 A., Youth Advisory Committee Vice-Chair Lila S., and the original “Where I’m From” poem written by George Ella Lyon which inspired this project. … Continue reading “Where I’m From” Poems
RE-flections from Beryl A., 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 … Continue reading RE-flections: What do people in your church believe?
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 … Continue reading RE-flections: On Valentines and Other Random Acts of Kindness
Follen Youth Participate in Homelessness Awareness/Service through Boston’s City Reach Program On the second weekend of March 2019, 14 youth members of the Follen UU Youth (FUUY) Group, along with their Youth Program Coordinators and the Director of Religious Education, made their way to Boston to participate in the City Reach program, sponsored by … Continue reading RE-flections: FUUY Trip to City Reach
TIPS FOR TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT RACE AND RACISM From Beryl A., Director of Religious Education One of the things that attracted me to Follen Church was the commitment to become an “intentionally and proactively antiracist congregation.” Years of living in Milwaukee, WI- named the most segregated city in the United States- has convinced … Continue reading RE-flections: Talking to Children about Race
