UU Family News

News at a Glance

This Sunday - Pet Blessing Sunday!

Church Picnic at East Flat Rock Park.

Save-the-Dates - Uniquely UU Events like picnics, get-out-the-vote block parties, open mics, retreats,

Volunteer with Family Ministry - Guest speakers needed

Resources about Hispanic Heritage Month - for Sunday School teachers and Parents

This Sunday - Bring your pet to UU!

Pet Blessing this Sunday during the Service

The pet blessing will take place in the sanctuary after the Time for All Ages story.

Families are welcome to stay upstairs for the entire service to see their pet blessed or to go downstairs for fun with their UU friends.

Note for Parents: Kid-friendly pets are welcome to play in the fenced-in playground area behind the Community Cottage if accompanied by a supervising adult.

Why It's Pet Blessing Day this Sunday

Feast of St. Francis of Assis

Who Was St. Francis of Assisi?

Founder: He created the Franciscan religious orders in Italy.
Values: He lived a life of poverty and showed deep generosity to the poor.
Love for Nature: He saw all animals and nature as brothers and sisters created by God.
Legacy: Churches remember his gentle care for the natural world on his feast day. [1, 2, 3]

What Is the Blessing of the Animals?

Tradition: Pet owners bring their animals to a church to receive a special blessing.
Purpose: The ceremony thanks God or universal love for the joy and comfort pets bring
Inclusion: Many Christian denominations, including Catholic and Episcopal churches, participate in this custom.
All Creatures: Dogs, cats, birds, and other household pets are welcome, and people can even bring photos or stuffed animals if real pets cannot attend. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Join Us After the Service this Sunday 10/4

Save-the-Dates

Saturday, October 3

Get Out the Vote - Community Block Party

Sunday, October 4

UUFH Fall Picnic at East Flat Rock Park

Saturday, October 10

Open Mic Coffee House

Sunday, October 18

Family Ministry Halloween Party and Haunted House

Weekend of October 23–25

UUFH Retreat at The Mountain

Saturday, October 31

Halloween-themed Dance

Saturday, November 7

House Concert featuring Janey Ryan

Saturday, November 14

HSO Youth Choir Performance

Volunteer with Family Ministry

Family Ministry is Looking for Guest Speakers

Willing to guide a 15-20 minute Soul Matters lesson for kids on Sunday mornings? We have the curriculum; we just need the adult curriculum guides!

Please email Sunday Parker by clicking here today! There's no better time than the present! Please volunteer today!

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Let's Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th.The 2026 theme is "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together." Celebrating the Hispanic leaders, innovators, and change-makers whose impact continues to inspire us.

Librarians have the best resources!

From websites to periodicals, and even a scavenmger hunt!, this site has great resources for teaching Hispanic Heritage Month, including a worksheet exercise for students to search the database for info about important Hispanic Americans.

Ellen Ochoa

Learn all about this remarkable astronaut here, and about other notable Hispanic American scientists here.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Here's a kid-appropriate bio of this musical theater ⭐️, plus a video of his 8th grade English teacher.

Sonia Sotomayor

A great video intro to this Supreme Court Justice. For more Hispanic women taking charge today, check out this list.

Hispanic Heritage Month: The origin of the piñata

The piñata is a beloved tradition for many children. Despite being associated with Hispanic culture, the piñata originates from Asia, according to Spanish Language Arts teachers. “It’s believed the piñata actually derives from Marco Polo way back in the days when he was traveling through Asia,” said Adan Martinez, a Spanish teacher at Socorro High School.

kfoxtv.com

UU Family News