Dec-stillness-wk 5

Dear UU Parents and Guardians,

January 3rd:

Sunday School at 11am is ON this Sunday
with the amazing Morissa Raymond!
​    
Please email me for the link

STUFFED ANIMAL SLEEPOVER

30 Stuffed Animals registered for our Stuffed Animal sleepover for winter break. 
The Stuffie friends have taken over the church while we are closed to humans during the pandemic. 
This has been a really fun way to re-connect children (and some adults) with what the interior of our building looks like.
Check out the first 4 videos here. Even if you didn't register your own Stuffie, these videos are still a lot of fun to watch. 
There's still a few more videos to come!

Video #1
Video #2
Video #3
Video #4

SOUP SUPPER

Did you miss our premiere? You can still watch the fun! 
Singing, stories, and reminders of the potluck we'd otherwise be having if we were together can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ejbS5DdDY

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 at 11 for K-5

*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 1/7
     Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids    

 Wednesday 1/13
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids    

Videos This Week: 

(This week church staff is supposed to be on vacation, I'm still working more than I should, so this week's story is read by someone else on YouTube) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCTuai83o0s

NEW THIS MONTH!
Theme: Stillness
These materials come to us from the Soul Matters Curriculum team
New Year's Eve/Freedom's Eve anticipatory games
Other suggestion for New Year's Eve with children: 
New Year reflection questions printable
Additional Resources for Parents With Stillness Theme: 
20 Questions for New Year’s Eve

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe this past year.
6. Pick three words your partner or close friend would use to describe your year.
7. Pick three words your partner or close friend would use to describe their year.
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. Who were your most valuable relationships with?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes this past year for you.

Dark History of New Year's Day in American Slavery

On Being 'My 5 New Year's REVOLUTIONS'

How to Release Emotions Stuck in Your Body