As the earth shifts, bringing a balance of night and day, we begin a new season together. My summer was filled with family time, blended with learning from colleagues at inspirational workshops and lectures focused on family ministry. I am grateful that I can squeeze in a few more plunges in the ocean and walks on a still warm beach.

It is heartwarming to welcome new and returning families on Sunday mornings, to gather volunteer teachers, lead orientations for parents, launch soul circles, take part in a UUA Youth Ministry “reboot,” and so much more. In congregational life and everywhere, I am witnessing children, youth and adults, full of expectation, enthusiasm and concern, make choices of how to share their precious time and passion. Our Spiritual Pathways program mission, to be lived throughout the week, supports and inspires Unitarian Universalist faith formation through creating connections, empowering passions, and discovering pathways for personal transformation and to serve the world. We draw on monthly, theme-based resources that are relevant and accessible. We aspire to provide a full week faith with effective communications and opportunities for the generations to connect and share meaningful experiences together. Phew. Please explore our annual resource book for more information, which you can find by clicking here.

Worship is our compass on Sunday mornings. Our first young people’s worship service reflected on why we gather in a congregation, a covenanted faith community that “loves beyond belief.” This Sunday, we will share meaningful messages in the Jewish new year, for us, as Unitarian Universalists and embody our spiritual practice through a “Blessing of the Backpacks.”

Please remind and encourage your children to bring their backpack, bag, briefcase for our celebration. They will be given a surprise dangle to keep!

I am prepared and inspired to partner with you as we live our Unitarian Universalism in an era that clearly needs our individual and collective attention, voices, actions and care.

Be sure to catch one more wave…

 

Cathy Seggel
Director of Religious Education
401.421.7970, dre@firstunitarianprov.org