 Plans for Re-Entry Into the Church Building Are Underway Check out our newsletter for more information https://www.unitarianlincoln.org/newsletter.html The church has a new website - and I have a BLOG! All the weekly emails since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 have now been uploaded for easy access. Monthly Soul Matters themes and the summer series on mindfulness can all be seen according to date. You can access the emails on our church's website here: https://www.unitarianlincoln.org/chelseas-blog *Sunday School * 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. Please email me for the link *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm Please email me for the link 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 the 15th at 8pm https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Wednesday the 21st at noon Link: 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- I am Human POP! Preschool Curriculum Attached you will find 3 worksheets to accompany the videos for this month's preschool curriculum lesson for APRIL Introduction Video 1 Video 2 K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Becoming These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team From the Mailbox At Play Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Becoming Poetry Becoming Jim Harrison Poem found at: http://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/2014/05/jim-harrison-becoming.html We finally die from the exhaustion of becoming. We whirl with the earth… our soft brains ill-trained except to watch ourselves disappear into the distance. Still, we love to make music of this puzzle. Love After Love Derek Walcott Poem found at: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-after-love/ The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror... Famous Naomi Shihab Nye Poem found at: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47993/famous I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forgot what it could do. Having Come This Far James Broughton Poem found at: http://www.sharonsinger.ca/poem.php?poem_id=390 No longer do I hunt for targets I've climbed all the summits I need to… Now I give praise and thanks… How Becoming a Mother Is Like Space Travel Catherine Pierce Poem found at: https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/how-becoming-a-mother-is-like-space-travel/ I Am Afraid of Nearly Everything Anonymous Full piece at https://www.uua.org/worship/words/prayer/i-am-afraid-nearly-everything ...most of all, I am afraid of what I might become: reconciled to injustice, resigned to fear and despair, lulled into a life of apathy... 
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 Dear UU Parents and Guardians, There will be NO ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL APRIL 4th (EASTER SUNDAY) Please join us on our YouTube channel for the service at 10am where there will be a SUPER fun story that features some familiar faces of UU friends from church! I also hope you will instead take part in our 2 Easter Egg Hunt opportunities (info below) Paper Egg Hunt At Our Church! HOW TO PARTICIPATE: 1. Print this WORKSHEET and visit our church grounds. 2. Look for the signs that have Easter eggs on them and a message. All signs will be in the back of the church near the playground (NONE go down into the hidden garden). 3. Fill in the missing words on your worksheet by reading the posted signs. 4. Take a picture of your completed worksheet and email to me OR Take a picture of one of the signs and email to me OR Write me an email that includes the missing words. Send to me by midnight on April 5th in order to... 5. Receive a MYSTERY PRIZE for participation!!! Please be aware that Bluestem Montessori plays in our playground during the day. They most often are on the grounds M-F around 1pm and 3pm. If you are available to do the egg hunt in the morning, after 5pm, or any time on the weekends, that would be preferable in order to give them space. Also - if you do the egg hunt and happen to notice that one of the signs is damaged or has fallen down, please let me know so that I can return to the building to fix. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Join an ONLINE Easter Egg Hunt! Yes, Virginia, There is an Easter Bunny Good news, everybody! The Easter Bunny has just emailed me. He has asked me to pass along this message to all of you... Hello UU Friend! It's me, the Easter Bunny. I know you've probably been wondering what I’ve been doing with myself this year, since it isn’t safe for us to be meeting indoors or in large crowds. But, I promise you, I've been quite busy. I've been traveling all around the world, stopping wherever Easter is celebrated, and greeting people from afar. See me, in that picture below? Oh! And, also, I've been coordinating with a number of UU congregations - including your own - to bring you a Virtual Easter Egg Hunt! The UU Virtual Easter Egg Hunt 2021 will go live Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8am - the day before Easter - and remain active throughout April. This way, you can spend the whole month exploring the UU net (did you know a UU actually invented the World Wide Web?)! The hunt begins here: https://tinyurl.com/z1p2mwqv Until we meet again, Hoppy Easter! ______________________________________________________________ Easter Coloring Sheets Attached you will find printable Easter Egg coloring sheets which have CHALICES on them! Perhaps you have heard of 'The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt'? Well, now we are adding in UU Easter Eggs! It's as easy as printing, coloring, and putting on your window. Adults are welcome and encouraged to decorate an egg as well! It would also be terrific if you wanted to take a photo of your decorated window and post to our Unitarian Church Social Page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag: #uuchurchlincolnathome And/Or post to celebrate if you see someone else's decorated window! (Please do not post exact addresses...although those are all accessible through our online database for members) Easter is April 4th this year. Feel free to put these up anytime between now and then. If you do NOT have a printer: 1. I am happy to drop off coloring sheets to you, just let me know OR 2. If you are signed up for our 'Sunday School in a Bag' activities, I will be including these coloring sheets in those bags in mid-March. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The church has a new website - and I have a BLOG! All the weekly emails since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 have now been uploaded for easy access. Monthly Soul Matters themes and the summer series on mindfulness can all be seen according to date. You can access the emails on our church's website here: https://www.unitarianlincoln.org/chelseas-blog *Sunday School * NO Sunday School this week on April 4th (Easter Sunday) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm Both MS/HS meetings can be found at this link: https://zoom.us/my/firstuuomahareligiouseducation 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 the 18th at 8pm https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Wednesday the 24th at noon Link: 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- Charlie the Caterpillar _______________________________________________________________________________________________ POP! Preschool Curriculum Attached you will find 3 worksheets to accompany the videos for this month's preschool curriculum lesson for APRIL Introduction Video 1 Video 2 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Becoming These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team At the Table- Discussion Questions for 'Becoming' Around the Neighborhood - Treasure Hunt for 'Becoming' _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Becoming Word Roots & Definitions The word root be comes to us from the Old English prefix be “on all sides” as beset, or bedazzled. It also includes the Proto-Indo-European PIE root bheue to be, to exist, to grow. The old English idea of cumin “to move with the purpose of reaching” extends that to growing with intention. Source Wise Words And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anais Nin Do not ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Howard Thurman A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will come out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming. Ralph Waldo Emerson Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real… It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path. Joseph Campbell If we're always looking in mirrors—made of glass or social media—and looking outward, we should not be surprised when truly new things don't want to come through us to be born. Caitlin Breedlove Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand, and make the ordinary come alive for them. The extraordinary will take care of itself. William Martin We find comfort among those who agree with us – growth among those who don’t. Frank A Clark We aspire to be a loving community uniting reason with spiritual exploration to transform ourselves and the world. Contact me- Chelsea Krafka: religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org Copyright © 2021 Unitarian Church of Lincoln, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are or have been a member, friend or visitor at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, simply click the "unsubscribe" link. Our mailing address is: Unitarian Church of Lincoln 6300 A St. Lincoln, NE 68510 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. -- In joyful community, Chelsea Krafka (she/her) Director of Religious Growth Unitarian Church of Lincoln, NE 402-483-2213 rgdlincoln@gmail.com My days off are Saturdays and Mondays I try to reserve evenings to be with my family and am more likely to respond to messages during the day Tues-Fri  Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
Paper Egg Hunt At Our Church! HOW TO PARTICIPATE: 1. Print this WORKSHEET and visit our church grounds. 2. Look for the signs that have Easter eggs on them and a message. All signs will be in the back of the church near the playground (NONE go down into the hidden garden). 3. Fill in the missing words on your worksheet by reading the posted signs. 4. Take a picture of your completed worksheet and email to me OR Take a picture of one of the signs and email to me OR Write me an email that includes the missing words. Send to me by midnight on April 5th in order to... 5. Receive a MYSTERY PRIZE for participation!!! Please be aware that Bluestem Montessori plays in our playground during the day. They most often are on the grounds M-F around 1pm and 3pm. If you are available to do the egg hunt in the morning, after 5pm, or any time on the weekends, that would be preferable in order to give them space. Also - if you do the egg hunt and happen to notice that one of the signs is damaged or has fallen down, please let me know so that I can return to the building to fix. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ABOUT AN ONLINE EGG HUNT AS WELL!!! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Easter Coloring Sheets Attached you will find printable Easter Egg coloring sheets which have CHALICES on them! Perhaps you have heard of 'The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt'? Well, now we are adding in UU Easter Eggs! It's as easy as printing, coloring, and putting on your window. Adults are welcome and encouraged to decorate an egg as well! It would also be terrific if you wanted to take a photo of your decorated window and post to our Unitarian Church Social Page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag: #uuchurchlincolnathome And/Or post to celebrate if you see someone else's decorated window! (Please do not post exact addresses...although those are all accessible through our online database for members) Easter is April 4th this year. Feel free to put these up anytime between now and then. If you do NOT have a printer: 1. I am happy to drop off coloring sheets to you, just let me know OR 2. If you are signed up for our 'Sunday School in a Bag' activities, I will be including these coloring sheets in those bags in mid-March. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The church has a new website - and I have a BLOG! All the weekly emails since the start of the pandemic in March 2020 have now been uploaded for easy access. Monthly Soul Matters themes and the summer series on mindfulness can all be seen according to date. You can access the emails on our church's website here: https://www.unitarianlincoln.org/chelseas-blog ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Sunday School * 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/805185601 Password: unitarian *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm Both MS/HS meetings can be found at this link: https://zoom.us/my/firstuuomahareligiouseducation ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 the 18th at 8pm https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Wednesday the 24th 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 Do-over Day' https://youtu.be/S-nI00bpa1s ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEW THIS MONTH! PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM!!! I'm excited to share with you a new preschool curriculum called: POP! Here are the links to the videos, and attached to this email you will find additional worksheets. (These are the same from last week, but I included them again since this is new) Rest Easy Intro Video Rest Easy Video 1 Rest Easy Video 2 Rest Easy Video 3 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Commitment These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team On the Porch - Raising a Child of Commitment The Extra Mile ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Commitment Inspirational video from Soul Matters Team
 Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
Paper Egg Hunt At Our Church! HOW TO PARTICIPATE: 1. Print this WORKSHEET and visit our church grounds. 2. Look for the signs that have Easter eggs on them and a message. All signs will be in the back of the church near the playground (NONE go down into the hidden garden). 3. Fill in the missing words on your worksheet by reading the posted signs. 4. Take a picture of your completed worksheet and email to me OR Take a picture of one of the signs and email to me OR Write me an email that includes the missing words. Send to me by midnight on April 5th in order to... 5. Receive a MYSTERY PRIZE for participation!!! Please be aware that Bluestem Montessori plays in our playground during the day. They most often are on the grounds M-F around 1pm and 3pm. If you are available to do the egg hunt in the morning, after 5pm, or any time on the weekends, that would be preferable in order to give them space. Also - if you do the egg hunt and happen to notice that one of the signs is damaged or has fallen down, please let me know so that I can return to the building to fix. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS ABOUT AN ONLINE EGG HUNT AS WELL!!! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Easter Coloring Sheets Attached you will find printable Easter Egg coloring sheets which have CHALICES on them! Perhaps you have heard of 'The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt'? Well, now we are adding in UU Easter Eggs! It's as easy as printing, coloring, and putting on your window. Adults are welcome and encouraged to decorate an egg as well! It would also be terrific if you wanted to take a photo of your decorated window and post to our Unitarian Church Social Page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag: #uuchurchlincolnathome And/Or post to celebrate if you see someone else's decorated window! (Please do not post exact addresses...although those are all accessible through our online database for members) Easter is April 4th this year. Feel free to put these up anytime between now and then. If you do NOT have a printer: 1. I am happy to drop off coloring sheets to you, just let me know OR 2. If you are signed up for our 'Sunday School in a Bag' activities, I will be including these coloring sheets in those bags in mid-March. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Sunday School * 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. Please email me for the links *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. Please email me for the link ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *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 the 18th at 8pm https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Wednesday the 24th 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- 'A Chair for My Mother' _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEW THIS MONTH! PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM!!! I'm excited to share with you a new preschool curriculum called: POP! Here are the links to the videos, and attached to this email you will find additional worksheets. (These are the same from last week, but I included them again since this is new) Rest Easy Intro Video Rest Easy Video 1 Rest Easy Video 2 Rest Easy Video 3 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Commitment These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team At the Bedside On the Message Board _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Commitment A prayer for parenting during a pandemic- https://www.uua.org/worship/words/prayer/prayer-parenting-pandemic Wise Words Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the unimportant. Stephen Covey The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. J.P. Morgan Unless commitment is made, there are only hopes, but no plans. Peter F. Drucker Choosing a path meant having to miss out on others. She had a whole life to live, and she was always thinking that, in the future, she might regret the choices she made now. “I’m afraid of committing myself,” she thought to herself. She wanted to follow all possible paths and so ended up following none. Paulo Coelho Most of life is choosing what you already chose, just as all writing is rewriting and all commitment-making is recommitment. Our lives are stories of recommitment. David Brooks We receive who we are before we choose who we will become… We are born into relationship before we shape relationships by our conscious intention. We inherit covenant before we create covenant… Covenant making must begin with the question, "What have we been given? What is the covenant we are already in?” Rev. Rebecca Parker The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance. Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Faith is a commitment to live as if certain things are true, and thereby help to make them so. Faith is a commitment to live as if life is a wondrous mystery, as if life is good, as if love is divine, as if we are responsible for the well-being of those around us. Rev. Galen Guengrich If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. Bishop Desmond Tutu  Dear UU Parents and Guardians, Attached you will find printable Easter Egg coloring sheets which have CHALICES on them! Perhaps you have heard of 'The Great Lincoln Egg Hunt'? Well, now we are adding in UU Easter Eggs! It's as easy as printing, coloring, and putting on your window. Adults are welcome and encouraged to decorate an egg as well! It would also be terrific if you wanted to take a photo of your decorated window and post to our Unitarian Church Social Page on Facebook, or on Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag: #uuchurchlincolnathome And/Or post to celebrate if you see someone else's decorated window! (Please do not post exact addresses...although those are all accessible through our online database for members) Easter is April 4th this year. Feel free to put these up anytime between now and then. If you do NOT have a printer: 1. I am happy to drop off coloring sheets to you, just let me know OR 2. If you are signed up for our 'Sunday School in a Bag' activities, I will be including these coloring sheets in those bags in mid-March. *Sunday School * 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. *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm Please email Chelsea for the links and passwords to online programs: religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org 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 the 18th at 8pm https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Wednesday the 24th at noon Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: Mae Among the Stars NEW THIS MONTH! PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM!!! I'm excited to share with you a new preschool curriculum called: POP! Here are the links to the videos, and attached to this email you will find additional worksheets. Rest Easy Intro Video Rest Easy Video 1 Rest Easy Video 2 Rest Easy Video 3 K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Commitment These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team From the Mailbox - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eMqdyXGdLS1rbfJ-In1y8amE7qKbUk7xPLEhnXRIPpk/edit?usp=sharing At Play https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EUCEktcscTXSMhorixnJJOQYRA3Va0co30k51olCKho/edit?usp=sharing Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Commitment Articles & Books Always Make Promises... and there's no pressure to exceed them https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/08/make-more-promises/379172/ Commitment as a Path to Happiness https://www.patheos.com/blogs/labmind/2019/08/commitment-as-a-path-to-happiness.html Staying Put: Making a Home in a Restless World Scott Russell Sanders On staying committed to one place -- In joyful community, Chelsea Krafka (she/her) Director of Religious Growth
 Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
Thursday Night Services I will be the worship leader for the service for the first time tomorrow on March 4th! The service is for adults, but of course children and youth are welcome to tune in. Did you know that there's a Thursday night worship service at 7pm every week? I know this is often bedtime routine time for many parents and guardians, but I wanted to remind you that this is an option to connect with the church. The services are called, "Vespers", and you receive the link for them on Thursdays from the office if you are signed up to receive emails from them. Services last about an hour with time for connection in 'breakout groups' each service. The fabulous part about Zoom? You can turn your video off, join in your jammies, or while cleaning up after dinnertime. You could even just have an earbud in while putting kiddos to bed. I hope you'll consider joining us. *Sunday School * 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. *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm Please email Chelsea to get the links and passwords for online programs: religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org 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 the 4th at 8pm I will NOT be having a Parent Chat since I will be leading the Thursday night service that night - but feel free to schedule a time to meet with me! Wednesday the 10th at noon Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: Wanda's Roses: https://youtu.be/6wuhh0H01Lc NEW THIS MONTH! PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM!!! I'm excited to share with you a new preschool curriculum called: POP! Here are the links to the videos, and attached to this email you will find additional worksheets. (These are the same from last week, but I included them again since this is new) Introduction: https://youtu.be/zDzS6vgKXqY Session 1: https://youtu.be/dTkx3AEVSb0 Session 2: https://youtu.be/z5CJW513Uto Session 3: https://youtu.be/pk_RWofC9T4 K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Commitment These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team At the Table - Exploring Commitment Through Discussion Around the Neighborhood - Scavenger Hunt for Commitment Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Commitment Videos & Podcasts Bold & Untold - Video series celebrating impactful women and their untold stories A great way to engage March as Women’s History Month! Season One: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru7kHs-GAenoya0Cfo44IkUfYzagcaOi Season Two: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLru7kHs-GAelsFehWUEm_-6dohLRS-uUw A New Way to Mourn, The Daily Podcast https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/29/podcasts/the-daily/coronavirus-funerals.html On finding new ways to fulfill our commitment to mourn and honor lives lost On Commitment & Our Desire to be Consistent https://embertelevision.co.uk/blog/psychology-of-persuasion-commitment-consistency/ Related article: https://theeveningproject.com/make-your-new-year-resolutions-stick/ 
Dear UU Parents and Guardians, Thursday Night Services Did you know that there's a Thursday night worship service at 7pm every week? I know this is often bedtime routine time for many parents and guardians, but I wanted to remind you that this is an option to connect with the church. The services are called, "Vespers", and you receive the link for them each week from the office if you are signed up to receive emails from them. Services last about an hour with time for connection in 'breakout groups' each service. The fabulous part about Zoom? You can turn your video off, join in your jammies, or while cleaning up after dinnertime. You could even just have an earbud in while putting kiddos to bed. I will be the worship leader for the service for the first time on March 4th, so I hope that you will consider hopping on! The service is for adults, but of course children and youth are welcome to tune in. Parents as Primary Sex Educators Workshop It has been highly recommended to religious professionals that we should NOT offer our OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education courses online. There will be a gap in our timeline for when we are able to offer OWL in-person to children and youth. That being said, would you potentially be interested in a facilitated support group called, "Parents as Primary Sex Educators"? For parents of K-12th students. The description states, "The 90-minute sessions use a small group ministry format to engage adults in topics including Gender Identity, Relationships, Social Media, and Consent." If yes, would you please send me a message just saying something like, "Yes, I'd be interested"? I would like to gauge whether this is something which would be worthwhile to offer. I know you would obviously need more information to commit to something, but it would help me wrap my mind around this if you are interested in this topic. *Sunday School * Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages Sundays at 11am Please email Chelsea for the link and passwords for K-12th online classes: religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org ***An email was sent a couple days ago with an attachment for a printable to bring to this week's class*** *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7pm 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 the 4th at 8pm I will NOT be having a Parent Chat since I will be leading the Thursday night service that night - but feel free to schedule a time to meet with me! Wednesday the 10th at noon Link: https://zoom.us/j/5036046295 Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: Wanda's Roses: https://youtu.be/6wuhh0H01Lc NEW THIS MONTH! PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM!!! I'm excited to share with you a new preschool curriculum called: POP! Here are the links to the videos, and attached to this email you will find additional worksheets. Introduction: https://youtu.be/zDzS6vgKXqY Session 1: https://youtu.be/dTkx3AEVSb0 Session 2: https://youtu.be/z5CJW513Uto Session 3: https://youtu.be/pk_RWofC9T4 K-5: Soul Matters Theme: Beloved Community These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team On the Porch At the Bedside Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Beloved Community Wise Words Speaking to his supporters at the end of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1956, Martin Luther King Jr. declared that their common goal was not simply the end of segregation as an institution. Rather, he said, “Our ultimate end must be reconciliation; the end must be redemption; the end must be the creation of the beloved community. We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization. The type of love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of esthetic or romantic love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between personal friends; but it is agape which is understanding goodwill for all… It begins by loving others for their sakes and makes no distinction between a friend and enemy; it is directed toward both. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends.” Martin Luther King, Jr. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. Nelson Mandela The goal [of Beloved Community] is reconciliation, not to destroy your opponent, nor cast them out, but to stay in the struggle till love wins. Rev. Victoria Safford We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. The 8th Principle If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world. bell hooks, Killing Rage: Ending Racism In my vision of a beloved community, I see a dazzling, light-filled, breathtakingly beautiful mosaic, a gigantic, all-encompassing mosaic, where each of us can see, can really see, and deeply appreciate each piece. We know that each piece is of immeasurable value. We know that each piece is part of a larger whole, a larger whole that would not be whole, indeed would not BE, without each piece shining through, and being seen and appreciated as its unique self. Marla Scharf, First Unitarian Church of San Jose, California.  Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
Thursday Night Services Did you know that there's a Thursday night worship service at 7:00PM every week? I know this is often bedtime routine time for many parents and guardians, but I wanted to remind you that this is an option to connect with the church. The services are called Vespers and you probably receive the link for them each week in the Thursday eblast from the office. Services last about an hour with time for connection in 'breakout groups' each service. The fabulous part about Zoom? You can turn your video off, join in your jammies, or while cleaning up after dinnertime. You could even just have an earbud in while putting kiddos to bed. I will be the worship leader for the Vespers service for the first time on March 4, so I hope that you will consider hopping on! The service is for adults, but of course children and youth are welcome to tune in. If you are not signed up for electronic communication (daily eblasts and monthly newsletter) you can do so HERE. Parents as Primary Sex Educators Workshop It has been highly recommended to religious professionals that we should NOT offer our OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education courses online. There will be a gap in our timeline for when we are able to offer OWL in-person to children and youth. That being said, would you potentially be interested in a facilitated support group called, "Parents as Primary Sex Educators"? For parents of K-12th students. The description states, "The 90-minute sessions use a small group ministry format to engage adults in topics including Gender Identity, Relationships, Social Media, and Consent." If yes, would you please send me a message just saying something like, "Yes, I'd be interested"? I would like to gauge whether this is something which would be worthwhile to offer. I know you would obviously need more information to commit to something, but it would help me wrap my mind around this if you are interested in this topic. *Sunday School * Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages Sundays at 11am ***An email was sent a couple days ago with an attachment for a printable to bring to this week's class*** *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7:00PM 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, Feb 24 at NOON Contact Chelsea for Zoom links Thursday, Feb 4 at 8:00PM I will NOT be having a Parent Chat since I will be leading the Thursday night service that night - but feel free to schedule a time to meet with me. Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: Wanda's Roses: https://youtu.be/6wuhh0H01Lc NEW THIS MONTH Theme: Beloved Community These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team From the Mailbox At Play Bonus Resources for Parents With the theme of: Beloved Community Inspirational February Message from the Soul Matters Team https://youtu.be/rUw4t3c9azc An Invitation to Brave Space https://onbeing.org/poetry/invitation-to-brave-space/ Confronting racism is not about the needs and feelings of white people, by Ijeoma Oluo https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/28/confronting-racism-is-not-about-the-needs-and-feelings-of-white-people  Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
It has been highly recommended to religious professionals that we should NOT offer our OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education courses online. There will be a gap in our timeline for when we are able to offer OWL in-person to children and youth. That being said, would you potentially be interested in a facilitated support group called, "Parents as Primary Sex Educators"? for parents of K-12 students. The description states, "The 90-minute sessions use a small group ministry format to engage adults in topics including Gender Identity, Relationships, Social Media, and Consent." If yes, would you please send me a message just saying something like, "Yes, I'd be interested"? I would like to gauge whether this is something which would be worthwhile to offer. I know you would obviously need more information to commit to something, but it would help me wrap my mind around this if you are interested in this topic. Sunday School K-5 Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages. Sundays at 11:00AM; Email Chelsea Krafka for Zoom links. religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org Middle and HS We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups - Wednesdays at 7:00PM. Both MS/HS meetings can be found at this link: https://zoom.us/my/firstuuomahareligiouseducation 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 P age"! 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). Email Chelsea for Zoom links: religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org Thursday Feb 18 and Wednesday Feb 24 Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: "I Love My Hair" https://youtu.be/ISmw52Q41TM NEW THIS MONTH: Theme: Beloved Community These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team From the Mailbox At Play Finlandia by Jean Sibelius -- Cantus James Baldwin & Nikki Giovanni, a conversation One of the most brilliant and important conversations you will ever have the privilege of listening in on. Video - Racial Wealth Gap Selma’s Challenge - Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed In joyful community, Chelsea Krafka (she/her) Religious Growth & Learning Director religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org  \Dear UU Parents and Guardians,
We have been told directly by the UUA that we should NOT offer our OWL (Our Whole Lives) sexuality education courses online. That being said, would you potentially be interested in a facilitated support group called, "Parents as Primary Sex Educators"? If yes, would you please send me a message just saying something like, "Yes, I'd be interested"? I would like to gauge whether this is something which would be worthwhile to offer. I know you would obviously need more information to commit to something, but it would help me wrap my mind around this if you are interested in this topic. Email Chelsea religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org for Zoom or Discord links. *Sunday School * Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages. Sundays at 11:00AM. *Middle and HS * We are joining up with the Omaha youth groups. Wednesdays at 7:00PM. 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; and even a "Pet Page"! ***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. *Parent and Guardian Chat: * The chance for parents and guardians to check in with me for 'open office hours.' Every other Thursday 8:00PM and every other Wednesday at NOON. (I close the meeting after 15 minutes if no one checks in.) Next two chats are Wednesday Feb 10 and Thursday Feb 18. Email Chelsea religiousgrowth@unitarianlincoln.org for Zoom or Discord links. Videos This Week: Story with Miss Chelsea: "All Are Welcome Here" NEW THIS MONTH! Theme: Beloved Community These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team At the Table - Exploring Beloved Community Through Discussion Around the Neighborhood - Scavenger Hunt for Beloved Community A word for White People in 2 Parts - One Human Family VIDEO 4 Rules [practices) For Achieving Peace and Justice [beloved community] Bryan Stevenson #1 - get proximate to the marginalized #2 - change the narrative from one of fear and anger #3 - stay hopeful about creating justice, even when it’s complicated #4 - be willing to do uncomfortable things |
AuthorChelsea Krafka is the Director of Religious Growth for the Unitarian Church of Lincoln. Archives
August 2021
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