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 to stay centered; remember that relationships and community are vital and that that means sustaining their vitality and health.
Things to do for the next four years: repeat, repeat, repeat. Help each other understand that security lies in people showing up for each other; our actions show how we believe that all are created equal — worthy of dignity and freedom. Help each other not be scared to say what the world that we want to live in looks like, and to listen to each other so that our vision of freedom, hope, and joy can evolve.
I would add: Light a candle with your children, breathe together, help them regulate their own emotions and the feelings that they’ve absorbed from you and others around them.
This Sunday, you may wish to be with others in our faith community. Much like adults, our kids may feel the need to gather in a community of shared values, a place where they can just be with others and listen, or — if they are so moved — to share their feelings and express their ideas, hopes, and concerns.
Post-Election Children’s Chapel
For Children in Grades 2–8
Much like adults, our kids may feel the need to gather in a community of shared values after this challenging election period. Certainly in our RE program, children need to be able to talk about what they are feeling, express their ideas, hopes, and concerns, and cultivate spiritual tools to ground them in resilience and peace.
This special Religious Education program will follow the time for all ages in the Sanctuary and take place in the Sonin Music Room. During this time, children are invited to gather with me and other caring adults to connect and re-center. We will start with a circle worship: light a chalice, hear a story, sing a song or two, and then share and listen and affirm one another, as we center LOVE among our values. Our time together will include an opportunity to create a collage and express hopes for the near future. Parents who wish to be with their children are welcome to join this circle.
Other Follen Offerings for Young People on Sunday, Nov. 10
- For our youngest children, we will offer both nursery care and our Chalice Children space, with known caregivers and teachers.
- Parents may also choose to have their children stay with them in the Sanctuary for the service.
- Follen’s teens are especially welcome to join us in worship this day; the FUUY Youth Group will also be meeting at their usual time (6:30–8:30 PM) to offer a sacred space to gather, play if that’s what is needed, and/or reflect and join in worship.
Resources
If you are wondering how you might help your children talk about the election or process their feelings, I offer you these possible resources:
- “Helping Kids Process Election Results” (Psychology Today)
- “What Do We Tell The Children?” (first posted by The Brown Bookshelf in 2016)
- “Relaxation Activities to Do at Home with (Young) Kids”
- A breathing exercise for children and youth: Deep Breathing Using Your Hand
- “Breathe In; Breathe Out Meditation” by Sarah Dan Jones (my own young grandchildren and I sing this this regularly)
Finally, I want to leave you with this poem from Carrie Newcomer, “Revolution, The Day After”. Keep breathing, Dear Ones.
In faith, with love,
Beryl