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
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
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 … Continued
TIPS FOR TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT RACE AND RACISM From Beryl Aschenberg, 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 … Continued
RE-flections by Beryl Aschenberg, Director of Religious Education We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs. ~ Gloria Steinem Children realize very early in life that money has value. They understand that getting a toy means that someone (often a parent) must spend money, or that they need to save … Continued
As Thanksgiving approaches, Unitarian Universalist families often consider blessings that might be said before a meal. Here are a few of my favorites: “For the food before us, the family (and friends) beside us, and the love that surrounds us, we are truly grateful.” –Sarah Richards “Earth, who gives to us this food, Sun, who … Continued
I’m a big fan of the NPR show “On Being” with Krista Tippett. Two years ago, singer Carrie Newcomer shared her poem “Three Gratitudes” on an episode. The poem starts with this: Every night before I go to sleep I say out loud Three things that I’m grateful for, All the significant, insignificant Extraordinary, ordinary … Continued
I remember my first visit to a Unitarian Universalist church. Just taking the step to walk into a “church” felt gutsy to me. I had grown up Jewish, married a Catholic, and felt like an agnostic. I wanted my children to have the opportunity to experience the richness that participation in a faith community can … Continued
