UU Family News
August 27, 2026
Letter from the FM Director - This is going to be a fantastic year!
This Sunday - UU Values & Big Dreams Activity
Next Sunday - FM Program Kickoff & Water Service
Photo Highlights - UUs in Action
Service Spotlight - UU Helping Hands Weekly Recognition
Save-the-Dates: Uniquely UU Events for kids and adults
Dear UU Family,
We have an exciting year ahead with opportunities for spiritual growth, service to others, social justice, and special family events.
I'm looking forward to Sunday mornings where we get to laugh, learn, wonder, and grow together.
The goal of the Family Ministry program is simple:
- for every child to experience safety and belonging,
- for every family to feel welcomed and included
- for every UU value to be practiced and appreciated
So please celebrate the beginning of a new year with us!
Bring your kids, your neighbors, your friends, but also please bring your questions, bring your hopes for the year ahead, and bring your need for community.
The world is so crazy, so we need our loving UU family now more than ever!
Let’s make this a great year of Family Ministry together!
Love,
Sunday Shae
Time for All Ages
Lessons We'll Explore this Week:
Permission to not know: It is completely okay not to have all the answers or know your future career right away. The same is true about developing spiritual practices. As a UU, you are encouraged to ask big questions and explore different faith traditions.
Shift the question: The book flips "What do you want to be?" to "Who do you want to be?" We will talk about some famous UUs and how their UU beliefs shaped who they were in the world. Kids will be encouraged to think about what kind of person they are and want to be without the pressure of deciding on a career.
Keep moving forward: Do not freeze or feel overwhelmed; just trust yourself and keep taking steps in the right direction. Kids will be reminded that they are part of a UU community that loves them and is present for them when life feels scary.
A Look into What UUs Believe
- Every person is important: Every individual matters
- Fairness and kindness: All people deserve dignity.
- Learning together: We accept one another and keep on learning together.
- Searching for truth: Each person is free to search for what is true and right
- Having a voice: Everyone should have a vote or a say in things that concern them.
- A peaceful world: We work together for a peaceful, fair, and free world.
- Caring for the Earth: We care for our planet, which we share with all living things.
Launch of the Family Ministry 2026-2027 Year
School is back in session. Routines are being rebuilt, and Family Ministry is back in action!
You're invited to join us Sunday, September 13, as we launch our 2026–2027 Family Ministry year.
Whether you are a longtime UUFH family, brand new to the Fellowship, or somewhere in between, this is the perfect Sunday to come, reconnect, meet new friends, and find out what we have planned for the year ahead.
Part 1: Water Communion in the Sanctuary at 10:30
Families will gather together in the sanctuary at 10:30 AM.
(Note for newcomers: younger folks tend to sit under the windows to the left. There's a stairwell there for the kids and volunteers to take to the classrooms and nursery in the Fellowship Hall)
Part 2: Fun, Fellowship, and FREE Lunch in the Cottage
After the beautiful water communion, families are invited to the cottage for a FREE LUNCH at 11:30.
Yep...free lunch is available in the cottage! ----------------->
(Sorry no photos of us in the newly repaired cottage yet!)
And parents, you can breathe. We’ve got this. You don't need to pack anything. Promise! You or kiddo have an allergy or allergies? Mine too! There will not be any nuts, gluten, or dairy involved. Have another allergy concern? No problem. Email me at sundayshaeparker@uufhnc.org!
Part 3: Free (All Ages) Musical Performance about Carl Sandburg in the Sanctuary
After lunch, families are invited to the sanctuary for a FREE musical performance about writer, social justice hero, and famous Unitarian Universalist Carl Sandburg.
Note: The nursery will be open and staffed during the show.
Do you drive to UU on Sundays? Can you help members of our congregation by picking them up on the way?
Drivers are desperately needed! If you're willing to drive UUs who are unable to drive but who can walk independently, please email me at sundayshaeparker@uufhnc.org.
Mark your calendar with these volunteer opportunities, concerts, picnics, open mics, and more! There are lots of ways to engage and create meaning listed below.
Sunday, August 30
Nature Service at Bullington Gardens,
Wednesday, September 2
Help Shape Our Fall Fundraising!
Monday, September 7
Wednesday, September 9
Stronger Together: CUUPS and UU
Saturday, September 12
Sunday, September 13 😊
Launch of the Family Ministry Program Year, Water Communion
FREE Lunch for Families, FREE Musical Theatre about Carl Sandburg
Saturday, September 19
Hunger Walk - Register to walk with the UUFH Team Here!
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
Halloween-themed Dance (ages 9+)
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!