UU Family News
September 25, 2026
This Sunday - We will practice mindfulness and learn about...
- 18th-century minister John Murray,
- the Persian scholar and poet, Rumi,
- and the Feast of the Archangels.
Next Sunday - Bring your pet to church for Pet Blessing Sunday! After the service, everyone is invited to a Church Picnic at East Flat Rock Park. Bring a dish for the potluck and join in the fun! There will be a guitar and drum circle, so feel free to bring your instrument!
Photo Highlights - UU Families and Kids in Action
Service Spotlight - Sue Kuehn - Queen of the Behind-the-Scenes!
Save-the-Dates: Uniquely UU Events for kids and adults
Time for All Ages
Early in the service, families will gather in the sanctuary for a lesson about Rumi and a sharing of the wisdom tale "The River That Became the Sea."
Rumi was a famous 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, and "The River That Became the Sea" is a traditional Sufi teaching story often adapted as a "Time for All Ages" wisdom and reflection tale for all-ages community gatherings.
Sunday School Learning Hour: Something for Every Age
During Sunday Learning Hour, children and youth will have opportunities to learn, explore, create, and connect in ways that honor different ages, interests, and learning styles.
And we want our tweens and teens to be part of it!
If we have 5 or more learners ages 12 and up, and at least 1 parent volunteer with a background check to accompany Family Ministry staff, the group can head to the Cottage for a dedicated Sunday School experience designed with older youth in mind.
This is a chance for our young people to build community, ask big questions, explore UU values, and discover what it means to put love, justice, compassion, and curiosity into action.
Parents of tweens and teens, please encourage your young people to join us! I see that you registered them, and I love that!
If all registered kids come on the same Sundays, there will be more than enough teens to have a class in the cottage (which is what they like best)!
And if you are interested in volunteering, please email me at sundayshaeparker@uufhnc.org.
UU Teen
Sharing Art and Poetry
UU Teens
OWL Chalice Circle
UU Teen
Feeling Safe to Share
UU Teens
Smiling in the Fellowship Hall
UU Teen
Playing at a UU Open Mic
UU Teen
Practicing Leadership Skills
Sunday School Lessons
Kids will rotate through engaging activity centers in the Fellowship Hall classrooms, with materials and experiences tailored to different developmental levels.
The Feast of the Archangels is a Christian celebration observed on September 29 in Western traditions and November 8 in Eastern traditions.
The Three Archangels Honored
- Saint Michael: Known as the protector and prince of the heavenly host who fights against evil. His name means "Who is like God?"
- Saint Gabriel: Known as the chief messenger who announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. His name means "Strength of God".
- Saint Raphael: Known as the healer and guide who accompanied Tobias in the Book of Tobit. His name means "Medicine of God".
Significance and Traditions
- Michaelmas: In the West, the September 29 date is also called Michaelmas.
- Quarter Day: Historically marks one of the four academic quarter days in England and Ireland.
- Roles: The feast reminds believers of God's unseen helpers, honoring protection, divine revelation, and healing.
Who was Minister John Murray?
Bake Cookies for the Community Block Party
Families are invited to bake cookies for the Get Out the Vote: Community Block Party at Sullivan Park in Green Meadows.
Able to donate ingredients or volunteer to help with the baking? Thank you! Let's connect!
Please email Sunday Parker at sundayshaeparker@uufhnc.org.
Service Spotlight for this week goes to Sue K
Hey Miss Sue - thanks for all you do!
Sue is often the Queen of Behind the Scenes and helps Family Ministry in lots of ways! Whether it is conducting background checks, helping with coffee hour, or tidying up the Fellowship Hall, you can count of Sue to be helpful. In this picture, she and Clyde Kelly are cleaning the floors together.
Enjoy little kids? Please volunteer in our nursery!
Volunteers are always needed to care for our youngest UUs, and you do not need to have a child in the FM program to put your love into action as a nursery volunteer.
Please email Sunday at sundayshaeparker@uufhnc.org OR call her at 828-435-2655 to complete a background check and be introduced to the nursery room and routines.
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Saturday, October 3
Get Out the Vote - Community Block Party
Sunday, October 4
UUFH Fall Picnic at East Flat Rock Park
Saturday, October 10
Sunday, October 18
Family Ministry Halloween Party and Haunted House
Weekend of October 23–25
Saturday, October 31
Saturday, November 7
House Concert featuring Janey Ryan
Saturday, November 14
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving Potluck
At UUFH, Family Ministry is about much more than what happens in a classroom on Sunday mornings!
Family Ministry is about creating a safe space where children and youth are able to:
- ask big questions,
- explore their spirituality,
- build friendships,
- serve our community,
- and learn what it means to put love into action.
It is also about giving parents and caregivers a community of their own, because raising good humans is important work and nobody should have to do it alone!