DRE RE-flections

RE-Flections: Stay Away AND Stay Connected

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: What do people in your church believe?

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

RE-flections: FUUY Trip to City Reach

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

RE-flections: Talking to Children about Race

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 on Stewardship for Kids

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

RE-Flections: Blessings for The Thanksgiving Table

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

RE-Flections: On Naming Gratitude

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

RE-Flections from the DRE

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