It is also a time to pause and celebrate all that we created together in this important shared ministry. Since I couldn't lift up EVERY creative endeavor we took on this year, here they are in list form followed by all the volunteers who made these programs possible. Thank you all for an incredible year. Despite all the challenges and distance, we ARE still connected.
Lifespan Spiritual Exploration (LSE) Recap of 2020-21
Children / Youth / Family:
Care Packages of UU values: To start each season, to 60 families! With delivery assistance from the LSE Committee and nearly 20 volunteers from the Caring Network.
Pre-worship Zoom Children’s Chapel: Twice monthly in the fall, then weekly. 26 different families participated at some point, with an average of 6-7 families per Sunday.
4th-6th grader Coffee Hour Hangout: Monthly Jan. - May.
High School Youth Group: Met all year for monthly gatherings both outdoors and online
Parent / Caregiver Support: Liza wrote monthly newsletters. In September an online session for parents to have a space for deep listening had low participation (full schedules, Zoom fatigue, etc.). Liza reached out with pastoral care calls to families as time allowed.
Talking about Race with Kids and Youth. Nearly 30 congregants attended online workshop! Parents, grandparents, educators, and LSE volunteers. Two follow-up Practice Sessions. (with support from Meredith Warner, Liz Benjamin, Liza
Spring into Summer Check-in: 29 parents recently responded to a survey that is helping guide our summer supports for families
Adults
UU Virtual Road Trip: Virtual “visits” to a sibling congregation for worship in Summer 2020. Weekly UCM Zoom coffee hours for reflective discussions. (LSE and W & Arts)
Chalice Circles and Deep Listening: Two Small Group Ministry, two Soul Matters, and FIVE Seasoned Souls groups meeting 1-4 times monthly.
Owning Your Religious Past is a UUA small group curriculum.
Beloved Conversations: 39 adults participated in the fall or spring semester on how to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice.
End-of-life Issues and Challenges with a volunteer presenter from the Final Exit Network to find out more about navigating questions around death with dignity choices.
Spiritual Exercises: Each month 34 congregants receive a packet of spiritual exercises and questions relating to the monthly theme.
UU History
Time for All Ages in worship: John Murray, William Ellery Channing, and the 60 year Anniversary of Merger Day.
Film viewing and Discussion: In April we explored our early roots, with a two-part film viewing (with Ann Earle and Liza).
Spiritual Retreat: Tending to Loss and Grief (half day online with Donna Smith and Rev. Joan)
LSE Library expanded! Now includes many more books by Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) authors across the lifespan. Visit 397 Elm Street!
Do-it-yourself ice lanterns for Winter Solstice
A Cup of Mindful Tea: Tea as a Spiritual Practice
3 winter Story Circles (Margaret Blanchard) online around the monthly theme
Imbolc Sacred Sing online with Heidi Wilson.
Surprise Valentines--an LSE collaboration with consultation from the Lay Pastoral Care Committee and others which got over 60 Valentines to those in need of cheer
Separate service projects for MLK and Ramadan for the Monday Community Lunch.
Gifts of Love: Talent Show and Fundraiser (with Board and Hospitality Team)
March Mystery Madness support. 7 children, 9 middle or high school youth, and 16 adults this year.
StoryWalk of the book Mole Music in the church yard in August
Natural Movement classes, four sessions with baylen sky in Hubbard Park in Oct.
Fall Equinox Celebration with Sit Spot
Art in Nature and playing games
Pumpkin Carving for the Enchanted Forest
Fire by Friction as a Spiritual Practice with middle school families
Samhain celebration when we learned about this ancient and holy harvest festival.
Indigenous Peoples Day: all ages illustrated Western Abenaki words to display in our church yard for a month.
Tree PLanting: In April, LSE partnered with Mother Up Montpelier / 350vt, Friends of the Winooski, North Branch Nature Center and planted 300 trees!
Multigenerational Green Up Day had about 30 participants of all ages
Plantapalooza: a Seedling / Plant Swap in the church yard
Child Dedication Ceremony in December felt intimate despite being online (four families)
Bridging: Three high school seniors participated in four small group sessions (with John Poeton and Liza) and our Bridging Ceremony
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