Today I am enjoying a lovely respite from winter. Of course the cold weather will return but, for now, we are blessed with sunshine and mild weather. That’s one of the reasons I love living in this beautiful place. Recently, there have been reasons to not be quite so proud of the things our state appears to stand for, but when I join with others from this beloved community, I am encouraged about all that we can be and all that we can accomplish together. So let’s continue to stand together and stand up for the things that really matter. Let’s all approach this life we have been given with a positive attitude and a loving heart. That is what will sustain us in difficult times
—Vicki Benavides, Coordinator, Family Ministry and Community
Family Soul Matters Family Potluck & Conversation
Friday, Feb. 3, 6-8pm, Fellowship Hall
“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” (Walt Whitman) Our Soul Matters theme for February is Identity. It’s one thing for a religion to offer you an identity; it’s quite another for a religion to celebrate your identity. At our best, we UUs seek both. In addition to “UU identity,” there’s also “your identity.” And our faith communities are just as committed to that. Join Jim and Vicki for a Family Potluck Dinner and an informal conversation about this month’s theme. Childcare provided during the conversation. Please join us! It’s a great way to get to know others.
Valentine’s Day Theme Soup Sunday
Sunday, Feb. 12, Fellowship Hall
Our all-ages activity for this morning will be to decorate Fellowship Hall like a big Valentine to our congregation. We hope all our children and youth will join in and help us celebrate this day that is dedicated to love.
Youth Group/Conversation with Jim
Sunday, Feb. 19, 5:00-6:30pm, Fellowship Hall
Each month Jim and Vicki meet with our youth to share food, fun, and our stories. This month’s theme of Identity will be the focus of our conversation. Vicki will send out the prompt for the discussion prior to the 19th, so youth can be prepared to talk about it and how it applies to them.
Our Whole Lives (OWL)
On February 24 we begin our OWL Sexuality Education Program for our youth. We appreciate our facilitators Daniel Benavides, Donna Gatnarek, Mary Highberger, Regina Hutchison, Susan White, and Bill White for their commitment to the healthy sexual development of our youth. This program will continue through May in a series of retreats and Sunday afternoon workshops. If you have any questions or would like to know more about OWL, contact Vicki.
Chalice Singers
If you attended worship services in the last few months you have probably heard our newest UUFH choral group, our Chalice Singers! We are so pleased to welcome these young singers. This is their first year singing together, and they are doing so very well. Katherine reports that we will be hearing lots more from them in the coming months. I know that I am looking forward to hearing them again and again!