It was an outstanding accomplishment -- the renovations to our building and the addition of two new rooms while continuing the work of the church in limited space. And when the work was behind schedule, we became creative. In order to tend to the spiritual life of our children, we added a second service for families.

We followed the regular order of service but added a bell to begin the morning and a UU minute giving a brief biography or history lesson. We tried to make the service as interactive as possible by including families as greeters, ushers, and chalice lighters. The printed Orders of Service included puzzles as well as words to the songs and responsive readings. The hymnbooks were packed away (with all the other essential materials that help us "do church business") in the trailer truck in the back parking lot. A five-minute synopsis of the sermon was included in this early service so everyone heard the message for the morning.

It was an alternative worship experience worthy of continuing in the future, especially now when family quality time and togetherness are so challenged and stressed.

We all need disciplines and time to connect with the spirit and that includes our children. These services were a cherished part of my ministry with you this past year. I always enjoy bringing the whole church family together in worship. For the children, we are cultivating the habit of church-going. We are acknowledging that family is important, that spiritual life is important at any age, and that connection to a religious community is important. This is a new way to expand our "curriculum" in a nontraditional model. The old school model approach to religious education is not working the way it used to. Let's explore this further.

Thank you for the help and support and the many creative ideas that come from you, our parishioners. You are the church.

Reach 'N' Bend
Rev. Jean Cook Brown
In June, we have Reach 'N' Bend, a program for mixed ages in which older children bend and younger ones reach to help one another. This year our theme is "helping others" and our program offers a chance to do a social responsibility project. Let's teach our children a sense of stewardship and help them to feel needed and worthy as they learn to help others.

No, religious education does not take a vacation. It is every week, actually every day, every hour. And parents are the real religious educators. Find out what we're doing at the church and extend it into the home.