Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

August 29th-         10am Service ONLINE
                                 11am Zoom Sunday School ONLINE
                                 **We are now in the 'orange' on the Covid dial and our step plan for church says that we will be online for church service and Sunday School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am Sundays
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Email Chelsea for the link
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please register for UU Children and Youth Programming! 
Registration is required EVERY year. 
We need to be able to plan for the year, report numbers to the UUA, and have accurate records. 
For online and in-person activities with Sunday School - please register for the year!
Here is the LINK
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volunteers needed! 

As of RIGHT NOW - we have 18 volunteers. We usually have 42 to help run our program! 
We are EXTREMELY short on helpers this year thus far.
Please don't think, 'Oh - someone else will do it...'

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th Religious Education programming
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance) THIS INCLUDES LESSONS FOR ZOOM! Stay safe AND help out! 
Assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year!
We're online right now - but will move to in-person when it's safe and IF we have the volunteers to do so. 
Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 

For WHEN we are back in the building
Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services

Also hiring a childcare provider for Wednesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-9pm
Must be 18+
Must have the Covid vaccine
Please send me a message if you are interested in applying, and for more details. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Events for All Ages at the Church -  Keep an eye on messages from the office in your email - due to the Covid dial status, we are postponing or moving many events online. 
DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*

The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 10 minutes if no one checks in)

Thursday Aug 26th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    

Wednesday September 1st - there will be no chat as a I have a meeting that day   
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 

Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
A Little Spot of Perseverance
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June-August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Perseverance

Articles
Five Ways Science Says to Handle Difficult Times
Kira M Newman
http://upliftconnect.com/5-science-handle-difficult-times/
 
How To Bounce Back From Failure — Over And Over Again
Carolyn Gregoire
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/habits-of-resilient-people_n_3818652.html
 

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

August 22nd-         10am Service ONLINE
                                  11am Zoom Sunday School ONLINE
                                 **We are now in the 'orange' on the Covid dial and our step plan for church says that we will be online for church service and Sunday School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am Sundays
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295     Password: unitarian
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please register for UU Children and Youth Programming! 
Registration is required EVERY year. 
We need to be able to plan for the year, report numbers to the UUA, and have accurate records. 
For online and in-person activities with Sunday School - please register for the year!
Here is the LINK
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers needed! 

As of RIGHT NOW - we have 18 volunteers. We usually have 42 to help run our program! 
We are EXTREMELY short on helpers this year thus far.
Please don't think, 'Oh - someone else will do it...'

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th Religious Education programming
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance) THIS INCLUDES LESSONS FOR ZOOM! Stay safe AND help out! 
Assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year!
We're online right now - but will move to in-person when it's safe and IF we have the volunteers to do so. 
Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 

For WHEN we are back in the building
Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services

Also hiring a childcare provider for Wednesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-9pm
Must be 18+
Must have the Covid vaccine
Please send me a message if you are interested in applying, and for more details. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church -  Keep an eye on messages from the office in your email - due to the Covid dial status, we are postponing or moving many events online. 
DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*

The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 10 minutes if no one checks in)

Thursday Aug 26th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    

Wednesday September 1st - there will be no chat as a I have a meeting that day   
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 

Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
Pilot Ray - The Tale of a Snail
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June-August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Perseverance

Songs and Music 
Time Will Tell
Gregory Alan Isakov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wepBAVq_3jQ&list=RDVq_PPPR96Zw&index=31
“Time, she says,
"There's no turning back,
Keep your eyes on the tracks"
Through the fields, somewhere there's blue
Oh, time will tell, she'll see us through…”
 
Love is the Water that Wears Down the Rock
Brother Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBbgLS87do
 
I'll Rise
by Maya Angelou and sung by Ben Harper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLEvR3cevN8
 
East To The West
Michael Franti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb-VN88MHL8
“To the east to the west
To the north and south
To the east to the west
One love people never gonna stop…”
 
Dear Brother
Nahko and Medicine for the People
“At a time in our country where every 28hrs a black or brown person is shot by a police officer, it is imperative to call on our white allies to stand in solidarity with those that face state violence every day.  where is the justice?  in this song, we ask our allies to remember that to be color blind is to be system blind. “
 
Somebody's Hurting My Brother
Yara Allen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fC4zXt7X1XE
“It’s gone on far too long…and we won’t be silent anymore...”
 
Higher Ground -  Songs Around the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGSqqhhokE&index=27&list=RDkkuIrSP9Pi8
 
Get Up Stand Up - Songs Around The World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6szT5NnwTY&index=18&list=RDkkuIrSP9Pi8
 
Don't Give Up - Peter Gabriel
Covered by Herbie Hancock, P!nk, John Legend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVQxSFG-ahk
 
Eye of the Tiger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=EJvmBt4pP9k
Survivor’s rock classic transformed by Jenn Grant’s cover
“Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet...It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rival...
 
I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty cover)
Dawn Landes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YICLgFnCntU
 
Never Give Up
Sia - cover by Matt Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZypxJQYMlg
 
Love (A Song for Valentine’s; Try not to smile!)
Nat King Cole - Cover by Mister Kanish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuUCUBVfdmo&index=20&list=RDOer2IqNMpE0

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

August 15th-         10am Service and CHILDCARE
                                 11am Zoom Sunday School
                                 **We are now in the 'high-yellow' on the Covid dial and our step plan for church says that we will switch back to offering online Sunday School only in an effort to keep children more safe. 
                                      Childcare is offered during service. Everyone is required to wear a mask in the building. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please register for UU Children and Youth Programming! 
Registration is required EVERY year. 
We need to be able to plan for the year, report numbers to the UUA, and have accurate records. 
Here is the LINK
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday Night YoUUth Night

All 6-12th graders are invited
6-7:30 In PERSON
August 18th
Masks required
Register HERE
***This year we are not having weekly Youth In Action meetings. These Wednesday night events are what we are currently providing for our middle and high school students to connect outside of our Discord and Instagram group. PLEASE encourage youth to attend these events to continue relationships with their UU community. We are often sponsoring connections with our UU committees and Task Force groups so youth can get to know more about our Social Justice work and living our UU values. This is an awesome opportunity to connect this year! 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 

Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services

Also hiring a childcare provider for Wednesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-9pm
Must be 18+
Must have the Covid vaccine
Please send me a message if you are interested in applying, and for more details. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers needed! 

As of RIGHT NOW - we have 17 volunteers. We usually have 42 to help run our program! 
We are EXTREMELY short on helpers this year thus far.
Please don't think, 'Oh - someone else will do it...'

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th Religious Education programming
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance)
and assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year!
Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 

August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday Worship Service at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0 (Worship service - lots of music!) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295     Password: unitarian
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance.

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*

The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 10 minutes if no one checks in)

Wednesday August 18th at noon

 https://zoom.us/j/5036046295      

Thursday Aug 26th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 

Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
Swashby and the Sea
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Perseverance

Articles
Five Ways Science Says to Handle Difficult Times
Kira M Newman
http://upliftconnect.com/5-science-handle-difficult-times/
 
How To Bounce Back From Failure — Over And Over Again
Carolyn Gregoire
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/habits-of-resilient-people_n_3818652.html

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

August 8th-           10am Service and CHILDCARE
                                 11am Zoom Sunday School
                                 **We are now in the 'mid-yellow' and our step plan for church says that we will switch back to offering online Sunday School only in an effort to keep children more safe. 
                                      Childcare is offered during service. Everyone is required to wear a mask in the building. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday Night YoUUth Night
All 6-12th graders are invited
6-7:30 In PERSON
11th and 18th
Masks required
SOCIAL JUSTICE THEMED!!! You don't want to miss this! 
Register HERE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 
Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services

Also hiring a childcare provider for Wednesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-9pm
Must be 18+
Must have the Covid vaccine
Please send me a message if you are interested in applying, and for more details. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers needed! 

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th 
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance)
and assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year! Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 
August 7 (Saturday morning): UCL Talent Show POSTPONED!!! Stay tuned
August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295     Password: unitarian
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance. If many people shift to in-person, or don't attend over summer, we will re-evaluate.

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*
The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in)

Thursday Aug 12th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    

Wednesday August 18th at noon
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295      
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 
Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
The Kissing Hand
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Perseverance

Wise Words 
This morning I have been pondering a nearly forgotten lesson I learned in high school music. Sometimes in band or choir, music requires players or singers to hold a note longer than they actually can hold a note. In those cases, we were taught to mindfully stagger when we took a breath so the sound appeared uninterrupted. Everyone got to breathe, and the music stayed strong and vibrant… So let's remember the advice of music: Take a breath. The rest of the chorus will sing. The rest of the band will play. Rejoin so others can breathe. Together, we can sustain a very long, beautiful song for a very, very long time. You don’t have to do it all, but you must add your voice to the song.
- Amiee Van Ausdall 
To sustain a stay in a dry and barren desert, it is necessary to be about something great enough to be worth a lifetime of unrewarded effort. There are simply some divine cravings in life—the liberation of the poor, the equality of women, the humanity of the entire human race—that are worth striving for, living for, dying for, finished or unfinished, for as long as it takes to achieve them. No single capital campaign will do the trick. No one speech will change the climate. No single law will undo eons of damage. It will take a million lives dedicated to the long haul and heaped on top of one another. That’s why the Zen saying “O snail, climb Mount Fuji, but slowly, slowly,” is so important. If we are to persevere for the long haul, we must not overdrive our souls. We must immerse ourselves in good music, good reading, great beauty and peace so that everything good in us can rise again and lead us on beyond disappointment, beyond boredom, beyond criticism, beyond loss. Then life has vision again; then going on seems both possible and necessary.
- Joan Chittister
 
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.
- Nelson Mandela
 
Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.
- Robert Strauss
 
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
- The Dalai Lama
 
She stood in the storm, & when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.
- Elizabeth Edwards
 
The universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart.
- Anon
 
Big shots are only little shots who kept shooting.
- Christopher Morley
 
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
- Unknown
 
Still I Rise
Maya Angelou
Full poem found here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise
“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise…”
Read by Maya Angelou: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAYm1uJeSxQ
 
Maya Angelou turned forty on April 4, 1968. She had planned a big party in Harlem, with many of the day’s black intellectual elite among the guests. History had other ideas; Dr. King’s assassination sent Angelou into a weeks-long depression. It was fellow writer James Baldwin who helped her dig out of it. Angelou recalls Baldwin’s assistance in her book A Song Flung Up to Heaven, where she writes that laughter and ancestral guidance got her through:
“There was very little serious conversation. The times were so solemn and the daily news so somber that we  snatched mirth from unlikely places and gave servings of it to one another with both hands...
I told Jimmy I was so glad to laugh. Jimmy said, “We survived slavery. . . . You know how we survived?
We put surviving into our poems and into our songs. We put it into our folk tales. We danced surviving in Congo Square in New Orleans and put it in our pots when we cooked pinto beans. . . . [W]e knew, if we wanted to survive, we had better lift our own spirits. So we laughed whenever we got the chance.”
- Kenny Wiley, from Nights Can Be Tough
 
Heartbreak is how we mature; yet we use the word heartbreak as if it only occurs when things have gone wrong: an unrequited love, a shattered dream, a child lost before their time. Heartbreak, we hope, is something we hope we can avoid; something to guard against, a chasm to be carefully looked for and then walked around; the hope is to find a way to place our feet where the elemental forces of life will keep us in the manner to which we want to be accustomed and which will keep us from the losses that all other human beings have experienced without exception since the beginning of conscious time. But heartbreak may be the very essence of being human, of being on the journey from here to there, and of coming to care deeply for what we find along the way... If heartbreak is inevitable and inescapable, it might be asking us to look for it and make friends with it, to see it as our constant and instructive companion, and even perhaps, in the depth of its impact as well as in its hindsight, to see it as its own reward. Heartbreak asks us not to look for an alternative path, because there is no alternative path. It is a deeper introduction to what we love and have loved, an inescapable and often beautiful question, something or someone who has been with us all along, asking us to be ready for the last letting go.
- David Whyte


 

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

August 1st-           10am Service 
                                10am Sunday School in-person (Children head right to class - not join in the first part of service)
                                11am Zoom Sunday School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 
Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers needed! 

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th 
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance)
and assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year! Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Covid Dial is in the yellow again. What does this mean for our church? Listen to Rev. Oscar Sinclair's update to hear: https://youtu.be/EMSlM5wr12o
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LINCOLN TALENT SHOW!!!
We are hitting PAUSE on the talent show for now. Since we can't sing in person at the church any more with the dial in yellow, we will re-evaluate and post news soon. 

Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 
August 7 (Saturday morning): Cancelled for the time being - stay tuned. 
August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295     Password: unitarian
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance. If many people shift to in-person, or don't attend over summer, we will re-evaluate.

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*
The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in)

Wednesday August 4th at noon

There will be no parent chat this day. I will be attending my son's first school kick-off event. 

Thursday August 12th 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 
Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
Be Amazing - a History of Pride by Desmond is Amazing (a 12 yr old Drag Queen) 
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: JOY
Be More Dog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3eZY8Dv4ew
Joy in the Barn
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jay-lavery-farmer-barn-dance_us_5877f7f7e4b09281d0e9fd5d?
Joy on The Treadmill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyDm-5gNeEM
The World’s Most Joyful Trash Can
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbEKAwCoCKw
The World’s Most Joyful “Staircase”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o0ZVeixYU&feature=relmfu
 
The Joy of Pie in Your Face…And Laughter With Those You Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVSj1WUZ7Zk
The Joy of Finding Your Way
https://www.facebook.com/nbc/videos/10153979150879760/
The Unexpected Joy of a Copenhagen Metro Commute
https://onbeing.org/blog/the-unexpected-joy-of-a-copenhagen-metro-commute-video/6459/
The Joy of Air in Your Face and Music at Your Back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWerl32Ccgw&feature=youtu.be
Joy In Your Feet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50WeYuvP-A

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,


July 25th-             10am Service 
                                10am Sunday School in-person (Children head right to class - not join in the first part of service - masks required for all unvaccinated children- people of all ages asked to wear masks when in                                                                                            Sunday School wing of the church)
                                11am Zoom Sunday School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We're hiring! 
Preschool/Nursery Co-teachers
1 lead
1 assistant
Sundays from either 9-12:30 or 8:15-1pm depending on whether we are doing 1 or 2 services

Also hiring a childcare provider for Wednesday and Thursday evenings 5:45-9pm
Must be 18+
Must have the Covid vaccine
Please send me a message if you are interested in applying, and for more details. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers needed! 

We need teachers and assistants for K-12th 
Teachers plan EASY lessons (with guidance)
and assistants show up as an extra set of hands
Commitment is 7-10x/church year

Chalice Connections volunteers: 
K-5th graders
Focus on RELATIONSHIPS - share your interests, talents, hobbies - connection to Unitarian Universalism
Commitment is 1-4x/church year

I need to hear from possible volunteers NOW to know if we'll be able to have a functional program this next year! Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you miss our mosaic activity?
Save the date: Oct 17th we'll be doing it again! 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LINCOLN TALENT SHOW!!!
Saturday August 7th 11am
All ages and talents are invited
Want to dance, sing, juggle, play an instrument, or recite the UU Principles in French?
We want to see what makes YOU UUnique! 
Please register ahead of time HERE

The ReEntry Task Force met on Wednesday, June 16 to assess our plans for the summer and to adjust our ongoing response to the pandemic in light of recent improvements in case rates, vaccination rates, and hospitalizations in Lancaster County.   
 
Our congregational year ended Sunday June 20. Effective June 21, we made the following changes to congregational activities:
* Masks optional for vaccinated congregants in the sanctuary, at small group meetings, outdoors, and at UCL sponsored events. Masks are highly encouraged for those not yet vaccinated.
* No advance registration needed to attend worship services or other events.
* No six-foot distance requirement.
* The sanctuary doors will remain closed during Sunday worship (beginning June 20).
 
These measures will remain in place:
* Masks required in the Sunday School Wing, regardless of vaccination status (adults and children are asked to stay masked)
* Because it is located in Sunday School Wing, the water fountain will be closed on Sundays. We will provide paper cups in the bathrooms and kitchens if you do not have your own reusable container.
* No coffee or food served on Sundays.
* Consistent with UUA guidance, we will not yet sing congregational hymns.
* Please continue to practice active consent (e.g. ask before hugging or shaking hands).
 
Our community is diverse. As we move forward in these next months, please continue to assess your own risk tolerance while also considering members of the community who are more vulnerable, such as unvaccinated children or immunocompromised adults.
 
These guidelines will apply through our summer season, and the ReEntry Task Force will reassess these guidelines before the 2021-22 congregational year begins on Sunday, September 5. If you have any questions about these measures, please contact the church office at admin@unitarianlincoln.org and we will direct your question to the ReEntry Task Force. Refer to Oscar's daily video update sent in the eblast Friday June 18 for more information.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 
August 7 (Saturday morning): UCL Talent Show Registration here
August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Zoom Sunday School *

Zoom Sunday School at 11am
Approximately 30 minute program geared towards K-5, but is open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
We typically have a chalice lighting, story, guided discussion, and/or activity such as a scavenger hunt or art project to be done at home as part of these lessons.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295     Password: unitarian
Online classes will continue as long as we have regular attendance. If many people shift to in-person, or don't attend over summer, we will re-evaluate.

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*
The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in)

Thursday July 29th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    

Wednesday August 4th at noon

  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295      
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 
Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
Cool Bean
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: JOY
MSIC
Joy Comes Back
by Ruthie Foster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXp4BfMtQ-c
Feeling Good
by Nina Simone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJRX-8SXOs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybHRX4vLhLg (Michael Buble cover)
Happy
by Pentatonix (Pharrell Cover)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ4diEohODE
Joyful, Joyful
from Sister Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaEH1e_DLm0
On The Shores
by Steffany Gretzinger
“On the shores of my soul, I give you permission to wash my tears away. Take all my disappointment and fill me with joy once again. So I am gonna sing…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYuXNgj-0BQ

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

July 18th  -10am Service 

                                10am Sunday School in-person (Children head right to class - not join in the first part of service - masks required for all unvaccinated children)
                                11am Zoom Sunday School - SINGING WITH JULIE ENERSEN!!!
                               Mosaic Tile All Ages Activity after church! Registration required. See below for more info.

July 25th- 10am Service 
                                10am Sunday School in-person (Children head right to class - not join in the first part of service - masks required for all unvaccinated children)
                                11am Zoom Sunday School
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 18th  - Mosaic Tile All Ages Activity (after church)
This is the sign-up for our Mosaic Tile painting fundraiser activity for ALL AGES!
Tiles are $10 each (scholarships available if needed).
Payment is taken the day-of: cash, check, or card.
Paint is provided. Come in clothing that can get messy!
The mosaic will be hung inside the building at some point - you'll be a part of history!
Funds are going towards replenishing Sunday School reserves.
This form is to help us gauge how many tiles to purchase and how much paint to provide. 

Want to participate, but won't be there that day? Please send me a message so I can get a feel for how many people want to paint on a different day.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Middle and HS *

July 20th (Wednesday) 6-7:30 2 event nights for Middle and High Schoolers! Game night theme this month!

Registration REQUIRED - form found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wCPoFTVNnKe8fHO12m1nyuXLVv0Phl2V2mtbizpGz2Q/edit
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LINCOLN TALENT SHOW!!!
Saturday August 7th 11am
All ages and talents are invited
Want to dance, sing, juggle, play an instrument, or recite the UU Principles in French?
We want to see what makes YOU UUnique! 
Please register ahead of time HERE

The ReEntry Task Force met on Wednesday, June 16 to assess our plans for the summer and to adjust our ongoing response to the pandemic in light of recent improvements in case rates, vaccination rates, and hospitalizations in Lancaster County.   
 
Our congregational year ended Sunday June 20. Effective June 21, we made the following changes to congregational activities:
* Masks optional for vaccinated congregants in the sanctuary, at small group meetings, outdoors, and at UCL sponsored events. Masks are highly encouraged for those not yet vaccinated.
* No advance registration needed to attend worship services or other events.
* No six-foot distance requirement.
* The sanctuary doors will remain closed during Sunday worship (beginning June 20).
 
These measures will remain in place:
* Masks required in the Sunday School Wing, regardless of vaccination status (adults and children are asked to stay masked)
* Because it is located in Sunday School Wing, the water fountain will be closed on Sundays. We will provide paper cups in the bathrooms and kitchens if you do not have your own reusable container.
* No coffee or food served on Sundays.
* Consistent with UUA guidance, we will not yet sing congregational hymns.
* Please continue to practice active consent (e.g. ask before hugging or shaking hands).
 
Our community is diverse. As we move forward in these next months, please continue to assess your own risk tolerance while also considering members of the community who are more vulnerable, such as unvaccinated children or immunocompromised adults.
 
These guidelines will apply through our summer season, and the ReEntry Task Force will reassess these guidelines before the 2021-22 congregational year begins on Sunday, September 5. If you have any questions about these measures, please contact the church office at admin@unitarianlincoln.org and we will direct your question to the ReEntry Task Force. Refer to Oscar's daily video update sent in the eblast Friday June 18 for more information.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 

July 17 (Saturday morning): UCL Congregational Softball Game

July 18 (Sunday after church): Mosaic Tile Painting (Fundraiser for Sunday School program) Paint a tile to go on our church walls and become a part of our history! 
July 22 (Thursday evening): Vespers at Antelope Park Bandshell, with A Street Band
August 7 (Saturday morning): UCL Talent Show (All ages can perform!!! Stay tuned for more details, and prepare your talents in the meantime!) 
August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*
The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in)

Thursday July 15th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    

Wednesday July 21st at noon

  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295      
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 
Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
Smile Mr Cow
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: JOY
POEMS
Talking to God on the Seventh Day
by Ruth L. Schwartz
“You're not so sure about this world?
Listen.  Take another look…”
http://beamfyant.typepad.com/blog/2011/11/talking-to-god-on-the-seventh-day-ruth-l-schwartz-.html

Beannacht
by John O'Donohue
On the day when
the weight deadens on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
…may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you a meadow of delight….
http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/beannacht-blessing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfvS2LYbZLQ

Welcome Morning
by Anne Sexton
There is joy
in all:
in the hair I brush each morning,
in the Cannon towel, newly washed,
that I rub my body with each morning,
in the chapel of eggs I cook
each morning,
in the outcry from the kettle
that heats my coffee
each morning,
in the spoon and the chair
that cry "hello there, Anne"
each morning,
in the godhead of the table
that I set my silver, plate, cup upon
each morning.
 
All this is God,
right here in my pea-green house
each morning…
 
See the full poem here: http://mondaypoem.blogspot.com/2013/06/welcome-morning-by-anne-sexton.html
 
Weather
by George Bilgere (For Father’s Day)
“My father would lift me
to the ceiling in his big hands
and ask, How's the weather up there?
And it was good, the weather
of being in his hands … his face smiling from the world below…”
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2014/02/05

​Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

July 4th -    Church service at 10am - K-5th welcome into childcare for free-play, vaccinated older children welcome to sit with parent/guardian in service
                     NO in-person Sunday School at the church
            NO K-5 Sunday School online at 11am (none offered because it's a holiday and likely very low attendance) 
The ReEntry Task Force met on Wednesday, June 16 to assess our plans for the summer and to adjust our ongoing response to the pandemic in light of recent improvements in case rates, vaccination rates, and hospitalizations in Lancaster County.   
 
Our congregational year ended Sunday June 20. Effective June 21, we made the following changes to congregational activities:
* Masks optional for vaccinated congregants in the sanctuary, at small group meetings, outdoors, and at UCL sponsored events. Masks are highly encouraged for those not yet vaccinated.
* No advance registration needed to attend worship services or other events.
* No six-foot distance requirement.
* The sanctuary doors will remain closed during Sunday worship (beginning June 20).
 
These measures will remain in place:
* Masks required in the Sunday School Wing, regardless of vaccination status (adults and children are asked to stay masked)
* Because it is located in Sunday School Wing, the water fountain will be closed on Sundays. We will provide paper cups in the bathrooms and kitchens if you do not have your own reusable container.
* No coffee or food served on Sundays.
* Consistent with UUA guidance, we will not yet sing congregational hymns.
* Please continue to practice active consent (e.g. ask before hugging or shaking hands).
 
Our community is diverse. As we move forward in these next months, please continue to assess your own risk tolerance while also considering members of the community who are more vulnerable, such as unvaccinated children or immunocompromised adults.
 
These guidelines will apply through our summer season, and the ReEntry Task Force will reassess these guidelines before the 2021-22 congregational year begins on Sunday, September 5. If you have any questions about these measures, please contact the church office at admin@unitarianlincoln.org and we will direct your question to the ReEntry Task Force. Refer to Oscar's daily video update sent in the eblast Friday June 18 for more information.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Events for All Ages at the Church - Save the Dates! 

July 17 (Saturday morning): UCL Congregational Softball Game

July 18 (Sunday after church): Mosaic Tile Painting (Fundraiser for Sunday School program) Paint a tile to go on our church walls and become a part of our history! 
July 22 (Thursday evening): Vespers at Antelope Park Bandshell, with A Street Band
August 7 (Saturday morning): UCL Talent Show (All ages can perform!!! Stay tuned for more details, and prepare your talents in the meantime!) 
August 19 (Thursday evening): Third Thursday at 6300 A Street, with A Street Band
August 22 (Sunday afternoon): Lawn Games at 6300 A Street.
September 2 (Thursday evening): Tent Revival 2.0

*Middle and HS *

July 14th and 20th (Wednesday) 6-7:30 2 event nights for Middle and High Schoolers! Game night theme this month!
Registration REQUIRED - form found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wCPoFTVNnKe8fHO12m1nyuXLVv0Phl2V2mtbizpGz2Q/edit

DISCORD for Middle and High School
We invite all Middle and High School students from Omaha and Lincoln to join us for discussion and community through this app.
'Would you rather' questions - Thoughts along our monthly Soul Matters themes - 'Big questions' related to UUism.
Also - a "Pet Page"!!! So much fun.
***Be aware that once joining Discord, it opens up the app to multiple pages which will need to be moderated by students themselves and their parents/guardians for security.

https://discord.gg/3NuSj6f
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
*Parent and Guardian Chat:*
The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours'
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in)

Wednesday July 7th at noon

  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295      

Thursday July 15th at 8pm
  https://zoom.us/j/5036046295    
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Family Open Circle: 
Information can be found on their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081904435272577
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Videos This Week: 

Chelsea's Story- 
America My Love, America My Heart
The story this week is also the one which was done during our service. 
I think the story has elements of 'joy', but also can be a good piece for starting conversations. 
Worthwhile to make it accessible again. 
__________________

K-5: Soul Matters Theme:

Soul Matters breaks in June/August
I will still provide resources for parents, and a story each week. 
Lesson plans will return in September
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: JOY

WISE WORDS
Every day, I see or hear something
that more or less kills me with delight,
that leaves me like a needle
in the haystack of light.
It was what I was born for –
to look, to listen,
to lose myself inside this soft world –
to instruct myself over and over in joy and acclamation.
- Mary Oliver
 
“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.”
― Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
 
To be joyful in the universe is a brave and reckless act. The courage for joy springs not from the certainty of human experience, but the surprise. Our astonishment at being loved, our bold willingness to love in return – these wonders promise the possibility of joyfulness, no matter how often and how harshly love seems to be lost. Therefore, despite the world's sorrows, we give thanks for our loves, for our joys and for the continued courage to be happily surprised.
- Molly Fumia
 
It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness. With sadness there is something to rub against, a wound to attend with lotion and cloth. When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up, something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change. But happiness floats. It doesn't need you to hold it down. It doesn't need anything… Since there is no place large enough to contain so much happiness, you shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you into everything you touch. You are not responsible. You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit for the moon but continues to hold it, and share it, and in that way, be known.
- Naomi Shihab Nye
 
“Joy is not just about “feeling good.” It is also about perspective. The spiritual life is, in part, about seeing our lives as being invited to the best party in town. Our challenge is to stay awake to that, to continually pull ourselves back from the mindset that our days are simply a series of challenges and responsibilities. It’s all about balance. We are called to look around and see all that must be done.  We are also called to look around and see all that has been given.”
- Soul Matters Minister
 
Happiness is not another place, but this place. Not for another hour, but for this hour
- Walt Whitman
 
Stay close to those who sing, tell stories, and enjoy life, and whose eyes sparkle with happiness. Because happiness is contagious and will always manage to find a solution, whereas logic can find only an explanation for the mistake made.
-  Paulo Coelho
 
“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.”
― Mark Twain
 
They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.
― Tom Bodett
 
On this day of your life I believe God wants you to know… that safety is not the thing you should look for in the future. Joy is what you should look for. Security and joy may not come in the same package. They can…but they also cannot. There is no guarantee. If your primary concern is a guarantee of security, you may never experience the truest joys of life. This is not a suggestion that you become reckless, but it is an invitation to at least become daring.
- Neale Donald Walsh
 
All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe.” - Shane Claiborne
 
The existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
 
It's hard to know when to respond to the seductiveness of the world and when to respond to its challenge. If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
- E.B. White
 
“Our faith rightly reminds us we have a duty and responsibility to ease the burdens of others, to bend the arc of the universe toward justice. But it also reminds us that we have a duty to joy, even a duty to plain old “useless” fun! Which, of course, is not really useless. Joy, celebration, play and revelry are means of replenishment.  We must always remember that we will have nothing to give, if we don’t make room for getting filled up.”
- Soul Matters Minister
 
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
― Dr. Seuss
 
Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
― Thich Nhat Hanh
The average child laughs 400 times a day. The average adult: 18.
- Anonymous
 
Remember: Joy is not a sin; sacrifice is not a virtue.  - Paulo Coelho
 
Joy is not an emotion. It is a choice.
- Greg Foster
 
I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.  - Rabindranath Tagore