Dear UCM families and friends,

Every week, I am amazed by how our Spiritual Exploration team shows up, bringing their creativity and care, acting as stewards of our faith tradition, and keeping the flame of the chalice burning bright for future generations. It truly is nothing short of amazing. So to our Spiritual Exploration team, thank you for everything you do to make our program what it is, and for the countless ways that you nurture the spiritual lives of our children, youth, and families.

To our families and wider congregation, thank you as well for your continued participation and support. Our programming comes alive because of you – the parents and caregivers who work hard to get their family to church, the children and youth who bring their whole hearts, and our larger congregation that embodies the many gifts of multigenerational community.

As spring unfolds and we move toward the close of another program year, there is much to look forward to. Here’s a glimpse at what’s ahead in Spiritual Exploration this spring:

• Parent and Caregiver Meet Ups on April 12 & May 31 at 11:30 am – Join in this nourishing time of community and connection with other caregivers with children and youth. Meet ups take place after All Ages services at 11:30 am. Snacks for adults and lunch for kids are provided to help make attending as simple as possible for families. Please RSVP to Caitlin for childcare. 

 

• Let’s Talk Spiritual Exploration Info Session on May 3 at 11:30 am – Are you curious about what’s happening in the Spiritual Exploration program next year? Do you have ideas to share that will help nurture the spiritual development of our children? Are you looking to support the program in some way, either large or small? Come join us on May 3 at 11:30 am in the Fireplace Room. Together, we are the UCM village!

 

• Annual Meeting: The Kids & Youth Edition on May 17 during service  – Every child and youth should have a voice in shaping our Spiritual Exploration program, and this is their moment! During service, children and youth will brainstorm, share their ideas, and their hopes and dreams for our UCM Spiritual Exploration program. Not only is this a place for their ideas to be heard, but also a great way for the next generation to practice community building skills together while having fun! There will also be childcare available for adults attending the UCM Annual Meeting after service. Please RSVP to Caitlin for childcare. 

 

• Lifespan Spiritual Exploration Sunday service on May 31 at 10 am – During this annual service, we honor and celebrate the spiritual exploration we have engaged in this church year as a congregation of children, youth, and adults. We will appreciate the volunteer teachers and facilitators who have made spiritual exploration programs possible. Come to join in this meaningful celebration and expression of gratitude for all those who have participated in Spiritual Exploration this year. 

 

• Holding the Flame: An End of Year Retreat for SE Volunteers on June 7 from 11:30 am – 1 pm –  As the church year comes to a close and summer is before us, Spiritual Exploration volunteers are invited to pause and gather together at our end-of-year retreat. We’ll share time for fellowship, reflection, and meaningful conversation – looking back with gratitude on the year we’ve journeyed through together, tending to our own spiritual needs, and holding space for the hopes and intentions that will carry us into the summer and church year ahead.

 

• Flower Communion Service on June 14 at 10 am followed by Whole Congregation Social & Picnic – We bring our regular church year services to a close with our annual Flower Communion Sunday. We share gratitude for our connection to one another and the natural world and reflect on how life is calling us in these times. Please bring a cut flower from home to share as part of this beloved annual tradition. After service, we will gather for food and connection and share ways to stay connected during the summer months. 

 

Looking forward to journeying through this spring with you and with gratitude for this wonderful community, 

 

~Caitlin