During this time of year when the darkness gives way to new seeds of hope and life, there are some sweet and joy-filled things coming up in Spiritual Exploration this winter after the holidays that I am excited to share.

First, children, youth, and their adults are invited to sing with the UCM choir again during our All Ages Service on January 11. If you remember the song we sang last year, Mister Chris’s “Yoo Hoo,” you may recall what a touching multi-generational moment this was. This year, we’ll be turning the tempo up a notch with a song that’s well-loved by our children, “This Little Light of Mine.” After Liz Benjamin taught it to our summer campers, they would spontaneously (and boisterously!) break out singing it around the church building, so it’s very exciting to think about them singing it with our beautiful UCM choir!

Secondly, our mid-year Spiritual Exploration gathering will also be happening on January 11 after service. This gathering’s theme is “Tending Your Spiritual Well” and will include time led by our Adult Spiritual Exploration team (thank you ASE!). Caregivers and parents are invited to join the first portion of the gathering for nourishing time to fill their spiritual well, too, and to connect with Spiritual Exploration volunteers. The hope is that parents, caregivers, and volunteers will all walk away feeling uplifted, refreshed, and connected in our shared ministry of caring for our children and youth during the heart of winter.

Next, there’s the Middle School Youth Group bowling trip happening on January 18 (so fun!!), another Adult Spiritual Exploration offering in February for caregivers and parents (more details to come), and our amazing March Mystery Madness tradition (which will have a fun twist this year!).

Please stay tuned for more information about all of these events, as well as our High School Youth Group, which relaunched this month with Rev. Joan and Erin Kelley as co-facilitators. While the days may be shorter during this time of year, they are nevertheless filled with many meaningful, heartfelt moments – the fruits of which will surely keep blossoming well into spring and beyond!