Well, in case you haven't noticed yet, we've had a flood. It certainly could have been worse (and we're all grateful to Mike for the fact that it wasn't!), but the situation has still left us with some cleaning up to do.
On my end, that means going through a mountain of craft supplies that had to be taken out of their normal resting place to dry everything out. The waters, in fact, traveled down the corridor through the RE storage area. I'm told that it's likely they passed through a box of paint supplies, as the river that flowed through the hallway was rainbow coloured.
I have decided that this presents the perfect opportunity to explore just what we've had tucked away in there, and to donate away those things that we are unlikely to be using anytime soon. The fun thing about doing this is that ideas start to pop up in your head. Oooh, clothespin dolls! We should use those fancy, artist quality paints with the older kids! Sock puppets!
The best idea I had today, however, was about getting new ideas. This Sunday, all of the kids will be coming together for a lesson on New Years and how it is celebrated throughout the world. A common theme amongst many cultures at the time of the new year, so I'm told by Brian, our minister, is "Out with the old, in with the new".
With all of this stuff lying around in the classroom, why shouldn't the kids engage in some of this "Out with the old" stuff, and more importantly, this "Ooooh, look at that!" stuff that I'm doing? If I'm having so much fun, maybe they will too!
So this Sunday, the children will be invited to look through some of these old supplies (sneakily selected for safety reasons). They will be able to choose one item that they think should be passed on, and one that they think is very inspiring that they would like to be able to use in the New Year.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
This Santa Guy
With the Holiday season around the corner, I found myself researching good ole Saint Nick this week. The Pathfinders lesson for this Sunday is about the spirit of giving, and so it seemed the perfect fit, at that age level, to take a look at where this great big gift giving guy comes from, and some of the pros and cons of the image that he has today.
At any rate, I found this sermon from the Mission Peak UU Congregation on the history of the big guy from a Unitarian perspective, so I thought I'd share it with anyone who might be interested.
Enjoy:
http://www.mpuuc.org/services/JollyGenerosity.html
At any rate, I found this sermon from the Mission Peak UU Congregation on the history of the big guy from a Unitarian perspective, so I thought I'd share it with anyone who might be interested.
Enjoy:
http://www.mpuuc.org/services/JollyGenerosity.html
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Parenting and the Golden Rule
Our Parents' Group will meet this Sunday, November 22, at 12 pm
The topic for our parents' group this week is 'The Golden Rule' and how it relates to parenting, discipline, and teaching.
The 'do onto others' rule could relate to parenting in a numbers of ways. When we consider what we would like done onto us, parents might justify their disciplinary policies with assurance that they 'know what's best for their child'. Certainly if they were a child with omnipotent, adult-like knowledge, they would want this done onto themselves for their own good.
Yet, I have sat in many classrooms and pondered how remarkable it is that the benefit of a given lesson is so apparent to myself, and yet lost to those students who are having it imposed upon them. We may abstractly justify our actions in relation to doing onto children as appropriate from the 'theoretical adult-child who gets it' perspective, but that isn't the reality of how the child is experiencing that moment.
Does the Golden rule really mean we have the right to impose upon others what we feel is best for them? In most contexts Unitarians would vehemently deny that this is fair and appropriate. We are a collective of people who are united in our belief that it is wrong to force our personal views on others.
If this is the case, where do we draw the line when it comes to children? How do we actively consider the child's point of view and personal perspective, while still imposing the level of structure and discipline that they need?
The topic for our parents' group this week is 'The Golden Rule' and how it relates to parenting, discipline, and teaching.
The 'do onto others' rule could relate to parenting in a numbers of ways. When we consider what we would like done onto us, parents might justify their disciplinary policies with assurance that they 'know what's best for their child'. Certainly if they were a child with omnipotent, adult-like knowledge, they would want this done onto themselves for their own good.
Yet, I have sat in many classrooms and pondered how remarkable it is that the benefit of a given lesson is so apparent to myself, and yet lost to those students who are having it imposed upon them. We may abstractly justify our actions in relation to doing onto children as appropriate from the 'theoretical adult-child who gets it' perspective, but that isn't the reality of how the child is experiencing that moment.
Does the Golden rule really mean we have the right to impose upon others what we feel is best for them? In most contexts Unitarians would vehemently deny that this is fair and appropriate. We are a collective of people who are united in our belief that it is wrong to force our personal views on others.
If this is the case, where do we draw the line when it comes to children? How do we actively consider the child's point of view and personal perspective, while still imposing the level of structure and discipline that they need?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Our Volunteers
When I sat down to appraise how we are doing in RE this year in terms of volunteer support, I realized that we have a remarkable level of participation.
Almost all of the parents, grandparents and caregivers who have children in the program are deeply involved in volunteer work in one way or another, whether they are on the RE Committee, helping in the classroom, providing snack or volunteering elsewhere in the church.
Of course we can always use all of the support we can get. In particular, I would love to see more members of the congregation take on the teaching of lessons. We have a diverse membership with a wide variety of skills and perspectives, and the children could really benefit from guest speakers or new teachers who can bring something unique.
However, those who have children involved in the program are doing an outstanding job at taking the initiative to give back to the program and the church. We're really quite lucky here at UCE.
Almost all of the parents, grandparents and caregivers who have children in the program are deeply involved in volunteer work in one way or another, whether they are on the RE Committee, helping in the classroom, providing snack or volunteering elsewhere in the church.
Of course we can always use all of the support we can get. In particular, I would love to see more members of the congregation take on the teaching of lessons. We have a diverse membership with a wide variety of skills and perspectives, and the children could really benefit from guest speakers or new teachers who can bring something unique.
However, those who have children involved in the program are doing an outstanding job at taking the initiative to give back to the program and the church. We're really quite lucky here at UCE.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Do You Like to Sing?
We would like to put together a children's choir for those who are interesting in performing a peace song at the rally following the World March for Peace and Nonviolence on November 21st.
We will practice our peace song in the next two weeks of Children’s Church. All children and youth who are interested in singing with our choir are welcome to join us on Saturday the 21st at the march.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kat Hutter, RE Director, at
(780) 454-5816, or dre@uce.ca
For more information about the March, see my last post!
We will practice our peace song in the next two weeks of Children’s Church. All children and youth who are interested in singing with our choir are welcome to join us on Saturday the 21st at the march.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kat Hutter, RE Director, at
(780) 454-5816, or dre@uce.ca
For more information about the March, see my last post!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
World March for Peace and Nonviolence
Help build a new nonviolent global consciousness
The World March, October 2, 2009 – January 2, 2010
The World March began in Wellington, New Zealand on October 2 and will end in Punta de Vacas, Argentina on January 2, 2010. It will last 90 days and be carried out in its entirety by 100 people, with millions joining and participating along the way.
The Edmonton March, November 21st, 2009:
We will meet at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park at 12:00 pm to begin the march. Our march will end at William Hawrelak Park, where we will gather for refreshments and a rally.
Some good reasons to march:
Because eliminating wars and violence means leaving human pre-history behind and taking a giant step forward in the evolution of our species.
Because we are accompanied by the voices of the hundreds of generations that came before us who have longed and worked for peace.
Because with 10% of what is spent on arms, we can end world hunger.
Because a “world without wars” is an image that opens the future and seeks to become reality in every corner of the planet, as violence gives way to dialogue.
Find out more about the global movement: www.theworldmarch.org
The World March, October 2, 2009 – January 2, 2010
The World March began in Wellington, New Zealand on October 2 and will end in Punta de Vacas, Argentina on January 2, 2010. It will last 90 days and be carried out in its entirety by 100 people, with millions joining and participating along the way.
The Edmonton March, November 21st, 2009:
We will meet at Sir Wilfred Laurier Park at 12:00 pm to begin the march. Our march will end at William Hawrelak Park, where we will gather for refreshments and a rally.
Some good reasons to march:
Because eliminating wars and violence means leaving human pre-history behind and taking a giant step forward in the evolution of our species.
Because we are accompanied by the voices of the hundreds of generations that came before us who have longed and worked for peace.
Because with 10% of what is spent on arms, we can end world hunger.
Because a “world without wars” is an image that opens the future and seeks to become reality in every corner of the planet, as violence gives way to dialogue.
Find out more about the global movement: www.theworldmarch.org
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Scavenger Hunt was a big success, if I do say so myself
Participants in our Healthy Earth Scavenger Hunt braved the chilly, wet weather last Sunday to focus on the environment in our Church's neighbourhood.
Adults and kids got together to explore the different kinds of trees in the park, search for hidden pictures, and evaluate which kinds of litter they thought were the most harmful to the earth.
The best part of the event, for me, was when everyone came back inside and shared their findings. It was great to see the kids and adults sharing their knowledge, collaborating, and working together as teammates.
A big thank you to all of the participants and volunteers who helped make this event work. Also, thank you to the members of the Green Sanctuary Committee who supported the development of our hunt.
Adults and kids got together to explore the different kinds of trees in the park, search for hidden pictures, and evaluate which kinds of litter they thought were the most harmful to the earth.
The best part of the event, for me, was when everyone came back inside and shared their findings. It was great to see the kids and adults sharing their knowledge, collaborating, and working together as teammates.
A big thank you to all of the participants and volunteers who helped make this event work. Also, thank you to the members of the Green Sanctuary Committee who supported the development of our hunt.
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