Welcome to the New School Year at OBUUC!

As always, with a new year come changes and new opportunities.  This year, we are VERY PLEASED to begin a truly Multigenerational Service every week where our children start upstairs for the opening songs, chalice lighting, story for all ages and more.  While the staff at OBUUC have worked hard to make this portion of the service enjoyable for all ages, here are a few things you can do as a family to help too ~

• Try to get to church at least 10 minutes before the service starts so you have time to get nametags and get settled.
• Prepare your children ahead of time for the proper way to behave in our sanctuary ~ we DON’T want children that are seen and not heard, but we DO want people to observe our first principal that all people are important and we want everyone to be able to hear and enjoy the service.
• We will be having families of all kinds lighting the chalice every Sunday ~ please feel free to sign your entire family up to be chalice lighters.  Notices will be going out each month to recruit so sign up soon!
• Since the children will be taking part in their portion of the worship service, we will not be having busy hands bags on most Sundays.  If we are having a full multigenerational service for the entire hour we will certainly bring them out.
• The Story for All Ages isn’t just for the minister and DRE!  If you like to tell stories, do drama, or read to children – let us know!  All ages are welcome and anyone can participate!  If you have a particular story to share or something along those lines – feel free to get in touch with me so we can see how it might fit in to a Story for All Ages.  We’d like to get everyone involved!  J
• Please remember to pick your children up in George Bray Hall no later than 25 minutes after the hour!  We are finished with our program by then and the children like to be reunited with their families as soon as possible…  J

Deadline for Church Camp is Approaching!

Greetings!

The deadline for registering for Church Camp 2011 is fast approaching - September 1...  Church Camp 2011 will take place the weekend of September 16, 17 and 18 at Upham Woods.  So many memories and good times have been had at this retreat so we sure hope you can make it!!!!!  Lots of great activities are planned for people OF ALL AGES!!!!!  Feel free to contact me with any questions...  Full or even partial scholarships are available!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!!!

With the new school year just a few short weeks away, we are on a HUGE push to get our volunteers lined up for the Children's Program.  I have several people who have generously offered their time and talent but those people could certainly use some others to join them!!!!  Either service can use more helpers, but 9am in particular needs several more people to join the team.  Please spread the word and let me know of anyone I can contact as soon as possible...  Thanks everyone - many hands make light work!!!!!  =)

Fire Drill This Sunday (8/14)

For anyone with sensitivity to LOUD noises, we're letting you know there will be a fire drill this Sunday at the 10am service.  It will occur at the end of the service, but we thought you should know so you can plan accordingly!  =)

UU Holidays...

UU Parenting blogger Michelle Richards believes that in order to build a strong Unitarian Universalist identity in our children, it is important to celebrate holidays that are uniquely UU. Richards suggests celebrating Ingersoll Day on August 11th to uphold our Fourth Principle, the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.  (From Facebook)  Any thoughts? Check out her blog here ~  UU Parenting