This Week in Religious Education

This Friday is the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, a time of darkness. And yet we are surrounded by busy and loud lights and sparkles as we prepare for Christmas next Tuesday. In this time, as you all begin your winter breaks from school, I wish you a good balance of light and darkness. Yes, let us celebrate and be merry and loud and light a candle (or light up our whole house!), but don't forget that there is a joy in the darkness too. It can be a time for rest, for quiet, for contemplation, for snuggles and for the sharing of stories.

May you have the blessings of quiet times and darkness this winter break, as well as all the festivities and busyness.

Note this Sunday there will be one single All Ages class at each worship service and nursery care. There will be no youth group meetings.

The 5:30pm service on Christmas Eve is Family Friendly and will have opportunities for children to participate in the worship service. Please bring the whole family!

There will be no nursery care that night, but toddlers and babes in arms are more than welcome in worship.

Last Sunday the classes learned about the Nativity Story. I remember growing up with a nativity set in our holiday ornaments, and even though my parents did not raise us as Christian, I loved to play with that set and arrange the little baby. This story was presented to the children last Sunday two ways: through the work of Tomie de Paolo and through the "Bricktivity". Both give the story a playful twist, but this is already a child-friendly story that draws kids in.

Parents may find this reflection by the Rev. Meg Barnhouse helpful, "When God is a baby"

There will be no religious education classes on this Sunday, nursery care only.

If you have not already done so, please take some time this week to complete the registration form for the new program year.

Children's Registration

Youth Registration

Please note that I have rearranged the rhythm of my week to better fit my children's school schedule, and I will now be working Saturday-Thursday, and taking Friday as a sabbath day. As part of the spiritual discipline of pausing and truly taking a day apart, I will not respond to emails or other forms of communication on Fridays.

Also note that I will be taking family vacation times as the end of the year rolls around:

Sunday December 16th

December 25th-January 2nd

Happy Holidays and May Your New Year Be Blessed with Peace and Joy!

Sara Lewis, credentialed religious educator, master level

Director of Lifespan Religious Education

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm

Available by appointment: Saturday through Thursday

Change of Sabbath:

Sabbath Day (when I will not check email or respond to calls): Friday

olydre@gmail.com or dre@ouuc.org

360-786-6383 x. 102