Giving Thanks

Today's elementary group, under the guidance of Laura Mitchell, walked to the Crestview Pond to conduct their seasonal water monitoring.  They collected water samples and tested pH and dissolved oxygen levels as well as determining the relative turbidity.  They will graph their results and compare it with the testing they did in September, and will keep a running tally so they can determine what, if any, changes occur in our neighborhood pond throughout the seasons.  They also examined water samples under a microscope and viewed simple celled organisms. 

What does a scientific study have to do with children's religious education?  For Unitarian Universalists, the answer is:  A LOT!  Our 5th Source of Beliefs draws upon "the guidance of reason and the results of science."  Our 7th Principle affirms and promotes "the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."  UUCR is a certified Green Sanctuary, and the children's religious education program upholds the importance of affirming both our 5th Source and our 7th Principle.  A full 25% of our elementary age program is devoted to developing an intimate connection with our local environment so that we can foster a love for the natural world in our children.  We know as adults that what we cherish, we preserve and protect - and what better way to raise our youth to become stewards of the earth than to immerse them in the wonders of their immediate natural surroundings as part of a faith-based program!

While the elementary group was examining the wonders of our watery ecosystem, the middle school group was eagerly diving into "A Time of Thanks" as part of their Questing Year program.  Under the guidance of Rachel Perry, our youth explored the meaning of ritual as both a personal and an institutional tool that can lead to greater growth and depth of their religious beliefs.  The upcoming holidays were discussed, and the variety of expression of the holidays within a UU congregation was affirmed as well as our mandate as a people of faith to help improve the lives of others.

To this end, our middle school group will be taking a special collection on Sunday, Dec 4th and Dec 11th to purchase foods for the local Food Pantry.  At a time when the local Kent County food pantries are perilously short on food items, our youth are eager and excited to provide this badly-needed service to our community.  Our congregation can directly empower our youth to improve the lives of others through the simple act of being generous financial supporters of this endeavor.