dec-stillness-wk 2

Dear UU Parents and Guardians, 

December Sunday School Changes:

December 13th - THIS SUNDAY:
No Sunday School at 11, please attend
All Ages Stranger Share Our Fire Service on Youtube at 10am instead.
There will be LOTS of singing, stories, and info on how to bring items for donations to the church. Also a VERY fun video with lots of familiar faces!
Congregational Meeting to follow. Check your Daily Email for links

December 20th: Sunday School at 11 is ON with the amazing Shelly Fowler

December 27th: NO Sunday School at 11 - enjoy Winter Break!

January 3rd: Sunday School at 11 is ON with the amazing Morissa Raymond

STUFFED ANIMAL SLEEPOVER

All stuffies must register! Fill out the form for each animal by Dec. 17th here: REGISTRATION
(Please register just one stuffie per participant - two if needed to keep the peace)
While the church is empty, our stuffie friends will play! Adults and children alike are invited to bring a stuffed animal friend to the church for fun and shenanigans.
Drop off stuffies:
December 19 and 20 from Noon to 5:00PM 
or 
December 21 from 5:30PM-7:30PM. 
PLEASE be sure this is a friend you can be without for an extended period of time!
The animals will quarantine for 3 days before playing with one another. 
Chelsea will record the entertainment that ensues over LPS Winter Break,
and you will return to the church to pick up your friend and wash upon returning home January 2 or 3 from Noon to 5:00PM or January 4 from 5:30PM-7:30PM. 
All stuffed animals must register separately.

SOUP SUPPER

Watch online together as a community live on our YouTube channel!
December 19th at 5pm
Watch your emails through me and the office for the link closer to the date
Stories, songs, a craft project, and even a virtual potluck :)

Chalice lighters needed! 
 
Is your family willing to send in a video of you lighting a chalice (or a candle) to be used during our YouTube services? 
If so - please send as an email attachment or as a link to a google file (make sure it's 'shareable') to me by December 31st at the latest. 
The video will likely have words or music dubbed over it - so no need to say anything. Simply light the chalice and smile :) 

 Family Spotlight! 

In an effort for us to remember seeing faces, and to get to know one another better, I am going to spotlight one family each month in our church newsletter. (SO easy. PLEASE sign up. I promise it will not take much time at all.)
So far we only have 4 families signed up!!! Plenty of spots left. 
Sign up HERE to participate

It would be lovely if you could join us for our weekly gatherings! 

Here is what is currently being offered: 

*Sunday School *
Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
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

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 just get together and chat
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon

Thursday 12/10
     Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids    
 
 Wednesday 12/16
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids    

(There will be NO parent chat on Thursday 12/24 on Christmas Eve)   

Videos This Week: 
Story with Miss Chelsea: 
Quiet - By Peter Parnell: https://youtu.be/LQe0IuNovCc

NEW THIS MONTH!
Theme: Stillness
These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team
Around the Neighborhood: A Treasure Hunt for Stillness
From the Mailbox: Stillness Through Self Care

Additional Resources for Parents With Stillness Theme: 

Mindful: Poem by Mary Oliver
https://wordsfortheyear.com/2015/07/22/mindful-by-mary-oliver/

Watch Night: An Extended Public Service Announcement
Terrance Hayes
https://thegeorgiareview.com/posts/an-extended-public-service-announcement/
 
Video Meditation featuring Pablo Neurda’s poem Keeping Quiet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5kjfqbt-FA
 
My Life Changed When I Started Making Space For Stillness, Ryan Holiday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNpKjSRUtI4
 
Just Breathe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVA2N6tX2cg
“In this powerful short film, watch and hear from elementary school students learning to use mindfulness to navigate complex feelings.”