Faith Development Blog

OWL Classes Spring 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:46:28 GMT

Classes offered for K-1st Grade and 4th-5th Grades

This Spring, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign is offering OWL classes for two age groups starting in February.

Who can attend? Families in the UUCUC congregation and members of the community at large who are in agreement with the OWL program values. Class size is limited to 15 students per age group.

Younger Elementary for Grades K-1

Dates: Sundays from February 1 through March 29 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at UUCUC

Facilitators: Melissa Watson and Allison Hansen

The program supports parents in educating their young children about birth, babies, bodies, and families. It helps establish a lifelong family pattern of communication around sensitive topics. Following a Family Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation, the eight class sessions engage children with stories, songs, and activities, and include a weekly “HomeLink” – a homework project for parents and children to do together. Focusing on the “three R’s” of human sexuality—respect, relationship, and responsibility—it emphasizes that we believe every person should be treated fairly and kindly.

Class Schedule

A required Family Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation on Sunday, January 25, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Bluestem Room.

Families commit to having their child attend all 8 sessions to promote trust and sharing. After the Orientation, the class is closed to drop-ins and new participants.

Older Elementary for Grades 4-5

Dates: Sundays from February 1 through April 19 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at UUCUC

Facilitators: Kim Kranich and Paul Kaiser

The program helps children ages nine through eleven learn about and discuss the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty. Participants explore values, communication, decision-making, and physical health and development. The HomeLinks feature opens lines of communication between parents and children. Although the class is targeted to the maturity and developmental level of fourth- and fifth-graders, we will allow sixth-graders to participate after a conversation with the Director of Faith Development.

Class Schedule

A required Family Meeting and Parent/Child Orientation on Sunday, January 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

Families commit to having their child attend all 10 sessions to promote trust and sharing. After the Orientation, the class is closed to drop-ins and new participants.

Meal Kit Packaging Event Big Success

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 23:29:48 GMT

Thank you to all who contributed and volunteered

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, right after worship, more than 30 volunteers of all ages joined together to pack meal kits. Members of the Social Action Council, Board of Trustees, and Faith Development teachers mingled with old and new members, visitors, parents, youth in middle school and college, and more.

In just under an hour, hundreds of cans, boxes, and packets of food were organized on one of four overflowing tables. Volunteers created assembly lines to assemble bags or pans for different recipes and worked together to double-check that all ingredients were present. Soon, one hundred meal kits were assembled and ready for distribution!

Forty meal packages were given to the two UUCUC Little Free pantries in Champaign and Urbana. The remaining sixty meal kits were split between the Church of the Brethren in Champaign for their weekly food pantry and CU Mutual Aid. Our church has an ongoing relationship with the Randolph Street Community Garden and with Dawn Blackman, who serves as the community outreach coordinator for the Church of the Brethren, located just across the street from the garden.

Thank you to the members of the congregation who donated food and made cash donations totalling $1225. We spent $891 on meal kit items, and the remaining $334 will be used to purchase additional food for the UUCUC Little Free Pantries.

Thoughts from the Council Chair

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:56:55 GMT

Natalie Danner, the Faith Development Council Chair, shares more information about what's happening in the Faith Development program.

Curious about the Common Read?

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) announces a book for Common Read each spring during the General Assembly for UU congregations to read the following church year. Over the years, book topics have encompassed a wide range of subjects, including abolition, environmental justice, and democracy.

This fall, 32 people participated in a series of small-group discussions centered on the stories featured in the book Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the QUUAC team members, including Angie Urban and Barbara Hudgings, and group facilitators Millie Davis, Az Guan, Chris Kunka, Raven Byrd, and Ianna Kunka. Their hard work and dedication made this event a success. This program also helped us meet the requirements for UUCUC’s Welcoming Congregation program.

This winter, we will host the 2025-2026 Common Read , exploring the book Social Change Now! A Guide for Reflection and Connection by Deepa Iyer. This book invites UUs to grow more authentic, connected, and effective as individuals and communities as we pursue transformative justice together. Our congregation is listed “ on the map ” as committed to presenting the 25-26 Common Read. (Scroll down the page to the map and center in on Illinois - you will find us listed.)

The book focuses on how we engage in our church (and wider) community, and what roles we do and don’t play as individuals and collectively. This topic is critical in our current political climate. One quote that I appreciated from the book was, “No one here is doing all the work, nor can do all the work.” Check out this invitation from UUA President Sofía Betancourt, encouraging us to engage with the 2025-26 UU Common Read.

The Adult Faith Development Team will lead this program in collaboration with the Council on Shared Leadership; Natalie Danner, Pat McClard, and Pat Nolan are all engaged in planning and facilitating. This three-session book club will be held in January and February 2026. All readers are welcome! If you are interested in participating in the Winter Common Read, keep your eyes on the enUUs and Realm for registration and more information about the event.

If you would like to get a copy of the book in advance of the event, you can purchase it from the UUA bookstore or find it at your local library. Faith Development will also be buying some copies for people to borrow from the UUCUC library.

Moving forward, Faith Development’s Adult Team will facilitate the Common Read every year in partnership with another Council or Team whose mission aligns with the subject matter of the selected book. If you are interested in helping to plan a future Common Read program, don't hesitate to get in touch with Millie Davis, Adult Faith Development Team Lead .

Coming of Age: Youth at Church

Did you know that we have a vibrant youth group active at our church?

This year, we have revived Coming of Age, a highly valued program for families and adolescents. The last time this program was offered in person at UUCUC was in 2018. We have 13 teens in grades 8-10 participating and four adults serving as group leaders: Ben Leff, Julia Cronin, Steve Hertzog, and AJ Hertzog.

Coming of Age is a transformational UU program for youth that they engage in for the entire church year. The group meets most Sundays from 10:30 am to noon. During their time together, they learn more about Unitarian Universalism, build friendships within their group, and begin to articulate their own beliefs. Mentorship is also an integral part of the program, and each youth is paired with an adult mentor from the congregation.

The Coming of Age group nominated an organization for the Shared Offering and will be doing a local service project in the spring. Don’t be alarmed if you see a large number of tall young people in Fellowship Hall helping Hospitality Teams with snacks and coffee - they love to help (and eat snacks too!).

Additionally, if you’re interested in learning how Faith Development collaborates with our local college students, I recommend reading Kelly Skinner’s article on UUCUC’s partnership with the University of Illinois .

Faith Forward: Adult Faith Development

Did you know that UUCUC has a membership with Faith Forward ?

Faith Forward is a subscription-based UU curriculum for adults. We use this curriculum as a foundation for our Inquirers group. The Inquirers program is an 8-session drop-in program for those who are new or newer to our church and the UU faith. These conversational sessions offer a general introduction to church life, our congregation, and Unitarian Universalism. We offer the Inquirers program three times a year in Fall, Winter, and Spring.

Additional Faith Forward classes have been offered in the past two years, including Spiritual Practices, UU Elevator Speech , and Biblical Literacy for UUs . These online classes take place over Zoom, and allow UUCUC members and friends to collaborate with UU classmates from around the country. I've personally taken two online Faith Forward classes and really enjoyed them. Sharing and collaborating with other UUs in congregations as far away as Maine and California were highlights of the classes. This spring, we hope to offer one or two online courses for adults based on the Faith Forward schedule.

We'd also love to offer at least one class in-person or online just for UUCUC folks. If you are interested in teaching, get in touch with Kelly Skinner.

Looking Ahead

Kelly, I, and all the Faith Development teachers, facilitators, and volunteers are looking forward to the winter season: a time for rest, renewal, and coziness. If you have any questions about Faith Development or want to know how to get involved, feel free to reach out to Kelly or I. We’d be thrilled to have you!

Natalie

dannernatalie@gmail.com

Food assistance for people in CU loosing SNAP

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 22:04:57 GMT

Thousands of people in CU need help with food

SNAP benefits (food stamps/LINK) were discontinued on November 1 with the ongoing government shutdown. There are 28,000+ people in Champaign County alone who get this benefit. Additionally, more people are furloughed or laid off and need food assistance.

This is an immediate need as the government shutdown continues , but it may also persist through the end of the calendar year and beyond. This issue not only affects people across Illinois and our broader CU community, but also those within our own congregation.

Local resources are already unable to meet the needs of our food-insecure community. Pantries are seeing record-breaking usage month after month. The budgets of all food banks nationwide were slashed this summer after the enactment of the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The need is only climbing, and we haven't yet seen what it will look like without SNAP.

Our congregation has an opportunity to act now to address this food justice issue on several fronts.

Assemble Meal Kits & More on November 23

On Sunday, November 23, we will hold a hands-on, multigenerational service event following worship in the Bluestem Room. There will be several opportunities to learn more about this issue and contribute. And ways to ask for help if you need it.

The event will focus on collecting food and assembling meal kits. Our BIG GOAL is to create 100 meal kits!

These shelf-stable meal kits are made entirely from canned and boxed ingredients. They’re designed to be a complete meal that is affordable, easy to make, and accessible for anyone: families on a budget, seniors, or anyone who might not have regular access to fresh food. Recipes feed four people and typically require minimal cooking, often involving just one pot, and some even require only a heat source and water.

We will make meal kits featuring four different recipes, and we need donations to make them. Ingredients can be purchased at Walmart, Aldi, Dollar Tree, or in bulk at Costco or Sam's Club.

Donated items can be dropped off at the Faith Development office starting on Tuesday, November 18.

Meal kits will be used in the UUCUC Little Free Pantry, donated to CU Mutual Aid, and given to other local pantries with scheduled pick-up times.

We will share more information and resources about food insecurity in Champaign County at the event.

Questions? Contact Kelly at kskinner@uucuc.org .

Our Partnership with University of Illinois

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:31:34 GMT

Sixteen student volunteers helping out this fall

This fall marks the fourth consecutive semester of the UUCUC partnership with the College of Education and the College of Social Work to have student volunteers complete service-learning hours to support religious education for children and youth.

The partnership began in Spring 2023, with five undergraduate students enrolled in the Education 201: Identity and Differences in Education course taught by Dr. Curtis Mason. Students spend at least 20 hours over the course of the semester at the host site. During this first term, three students volunteered in the nursery on Sundays, providing childcare, and two worked as program assistants, assisting Director of Faith Development Kelly Skinner with administrative tasks and special projects.

The Education 201 class examines how students and teachers are socially positioned within their roles, identity categories, and community attachments. The class explores ways of knowing, teaching, and learning related to differences in identity, issues of exclusion/inclusion, and power and privilege. It also draws on lessons learned from community service-learning placements. While the class is a majority of freshmen education students, it also includes sophomores and juniors, as well as those who are dual majors or want to transfer into education.

Last fall, an additional partnership with the College of Social Work began. We worked with seniors and graduate students from SOCW 461: Professional Practice Seminar/Community Partner & Student Connection to provide a site for their service learning. Service-learning is a significant part of the learning experience for SOCW 461 and is designed to benefit both students and the partnering organization. Course discussions center on the importance of working within and understanding the communities served, as well as applying the nine core social work competencies to the service-learning project.

This year, we offer three service-learning experiences for students from both classes to choose from: a classroom assistant role working with early childhood/elementary children, a classroom assistant role working with middle and high school youth, and a program assistant role. Classroom assistants help on Sundays in the nursery and four other classrooms. They may play, read and discuss stories, help with crafts or activities, and talk with children and youth to help provide engaging learning and social experiences. Program assistants help gather supplies for classes, plan events like Parents' Night Out, perform administrative work like attendance, and create bulletin boards and marketing materials.

Eleven undergrads and two grad students are working with us this fall, including one student who is a former UU youth from the DC area. They have been a tremendous help in supplementing our adult volunteer pool, and without their involvement, we would not be able to fully staff on Sunday mornings. Overall, the students have been impressed by the inclusive and progressive nature of our church.

Faith At Home: October

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:45:49 GMT

Monthly Family Calendar to Explore Cultivating Compassion

One of our goals this year is to provide support and resources to parents and families. A meaningful way to do this is to integrate Unitarian Universalism into your home life, so that you practice your faith throughout the week, rather than only on Sunday morning. Our faith is one where we live our values - "deeds, not creeds." Children learn and internalize their concepts of faith by watching and learning from their parents.

October's theme is Cultivating Compassion. We've created a monthly calendar with simple activities to incorporate the monthly theme into your family's daily life and routine.

Download the calendar (PDF) and post it on your refrigerator or central location.

Share what worked or what came out of this experience for your family. Email kskinner@uucuc.org or catch me on Sundays!

Compassion Cookies

Nothing shows you care like sharing a sweet treat. Have fun baking as a family and make some “crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth heart-shaped thumbprint cookies filled with a fresh and fruity jam.” You can share them with your family or take it a step further and give some away to someone (or many someones) who needs a compassionate boost.

Find the recipe here

Kindness & Compassion Rocks

Paint rocks with uplifting messages or designs and hide them around the neighborhood for others to find.

Stingy Jack Halloween Story

Blessing of Compassion

Dear bear huggers, band-aid handers, bad-dream snugglers, and kindness spreaders,

May your hearts open wide, and your hands be gentle, ready to heal and hold those with hurting hearts.

May your eyes see beyond differences to the shared light inside each person.

And may you journey steadily on the paths of empathy, helping others carry their burdens and celebrate their joys.

May you honor the earth beneath your feet and all the creatures that call it home.

May your family live in harmony with all beings, protecting and cherishing this sacred planet we share.

May you remember to be kind and compassionate to yourselves,

For our children do not need perfect parents, but only parents doing their best with love.

May your family be rooted in love and guided by our UU values.

May you grow together, choosing connection over division and compassion over fear.

And may your home be a sanctuary where all feel safe, seen, and deeply loved.

Blessed be, and may it be so.

Compassion Detective Bingo

Your mission is to notice moments when people offer each other kindness, care, and help.

There are so many places to look: at school, church, playgrounds, activities, stores, and home.

And here’s a secret: As you notice the compassion of others, you’ll be growing your own. Because when we pay attention to the kindness others show, we suddenly start to notice all the opportunities we have to be kind. This treasure hunt is also deeply connected to our Unitarian Universalist faith, which calls us to put love at the center of all we do.

To help you on your way, we’ve found a Compassion Detective Bingo Board. Take it with you whenever you can and when you spot someone showing compassion—big or small— check it off on the Compassion Bingo Board. See if you can find them all by the end of the month!

Directions

Print the Compassion Detective Bingo Board
Every time you see that act of compassion happen in real life, mark it off with a sticker, stamp, or colored dot.
Celebrate as a family when you get a Bingo (five in a row) or Blackout (all squares filled).

Family Reflection

At the end of the month, gather as a family and share:

What kind of compassion did you spot most often?
Which was hardest to find?
How did it feel to notice compassion all around you?
Did you show compassion yourself after seeing others do it?

What does it mean to be a family that Cultivates Compassion?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:23:39 GMT

Small acts of care offer more warmth than we know

When my kids were little, they would ask for a Band-Aid at every bump, bruise, scrape, and stubbed toe—whether it was bleeding or not. And to my surprise, I found myself peeling back the wrapper and pressing one over perfectly unbroken skin every time! I even went so far as to always have the character, camo, butterfly, and princess ones on hand - at home, in the car, in my purse, everywhere.

As a proud member of Gen X, the Band-Aid habit was one of those things I said I would never do. But parenting changes you, so I purchased the fun, extra-expensive Band-Aids and handed them out like they were oxygen. And every time I did, I marveled at how much comfort my babies found in those tiny strips of cartoon-covered plastic.

Why did I do this, you might be asking?

I did it because I realized I wasn’t just treating wounds. I was practicing something deeper.

I was instilling a type of faith in my kids. A faith that their pain and wounds weren’t their own, a faith that their suffering wasn’t singular, but shared. I was cultivating in my children a trust that this is a compassionate world.

This simple act of “you get a band-aid, and you get a band-aid, and you get a band-aid” taught me that compassion doesn’t always look like fixing something.

Sometimes, it looks like noticing. Or like stopping what you’re doing to tend to a feeling that may not make sense to us as adults, but is very real to a child. Or like choosing kindness even when we’re busy, tired, or unsure.

All this is a way of saying that, at its heart, compassion is about showing up.

It’s about making space for difference, tenderness, and connection. It’s about making room at the table—literally and metaphorically—for people who might be left out. It’s about recognizing that each person, no matter how small, carries heartache—and that we have a choice to tend to each other’s hurting hearts or turn away.

And so, as October reminds us that cold days are inevitably on their way, may we lead our families in this work of cultivating a more compassionate world. And may we remember that, just like those childhood Band-Aids, small acts of care offer more warmth than we know.

A reflection by April Rosario

2025-2026 Sunday Schedule

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:29:18 GMT

Dates when classes for children & youth are in session

Are you confused sometimes about whether there are Sunday classes or an all-ages service?

Typically, all-ages services take place on the second Sunday of each month. But there are a few exceptions this year. Mark your calendar today!

This schedule applies to PreK-K, Grade 1-3, and Grade 4-7. When class is in session, the nursery is open for children 3 years old and younger. When there is no class, the nursery will care for children aged 5 years and younger.

October 5 Class

October 12 No Class | All-Ages Service

October 19 Class

October 26 Class

November 2 No Class | All-Ages Remembrance Service

November 9 Class

November 16 Class | Potluck and Shared Offering Voting

November 23 Class

November 30 Class | Social Justice Sunday

December 7 Class

December 14 No Class | All-Ages Service

December 21 No Class

December 28 No Class

January 4 No Class

January 11 No Class

January 18 No Class | All-Ages Service

January 25 Class

February 1 Class

February 8 Class

February 15 No Class | All-Ages Service

February 22 Class

March 1 Class

March 8 Class

March 15 No Class | All-Ages Service

March 22 Class

March 29 Class | Social Justice Sunday

April 5 Class | Egg Hunt

April 12 Class

April 19 No Class | All-Ages Service

April 26 Class

May 3 Class - Final

May 10 No Class | Music Sunday All-Ages Service

May 17 Coming o f Age Sunday / Bridging

May 24 No Class

May 31 Class | Social Justice Sunday

June 7 No Class | Flower Communion & Annual Meeting

Contact Director of Faith Development Kelly Skinner with any questions.

Learning About Food Insecurity

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 22:47:05 GMT

Children and adults learn more about food insecurity in Champaign County

During two Sundays in March, REE hosted all-ages classes to learn more about food insecurity in Champaign County and about how we can support the UUCUC Little Free Pantries.

Food and Nutrition Security means that all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary and cultural needs for a healthy and active life.

In Champaign County, Illinois, food insecurity affects over 26,000 residents, with a food insecurity rate of 10.5% overall and 12.2% for children, according to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap project. This is higher than the state of Illinois average. Poverty, food deserts, economic challenges, and increase in SNAP enrollment are some of the factors contributing to this.

Participants made hygiene kits and breakfast bags to put in the Little Free Pantry that serves our Urbana neighborhood. In addition to the pantry outside of the church, we also support one in Champaign. Our Little Free Pantry is like a safety net. Pat Nolan, who helps lead this effort, said that our pantries offer a readily available, no strings attached, non-judgemental, and anonymous access to food and other items people may find difficult to get. Our pantries help feed and support those not easily able to meet everyday food and personal needs: our neighbors as well as people in our congregation.

Ways you can keep learning and take action on this topic

Watch this short video on how kids can L.E.A.P. into action to advocate for food justice.
We read Lulu and the Hunger Monster and Pa, Me, and the Sidewalk Pantry . Check out these and other books for kids or adults about food justice on the UUCUC Bookshop.org page. UUCUC receives a small percent of all purchases made through our store.
Common Ground Food Co-op shared some delicious local produce with our class. They are doing a food drive through April 20, 2025 to support the UUCUC Little Free Pantries. Purchase items such as canned goods, shelf-stable items, personal care items, pet food or supplies, cleaning supplies, and more.
Support the UUCUC Little Food Pantries. Most of the items we put in our pantries come from individual donations and there are several volunteers that help manage the supplies and do maintenance. The pantries are stocked up to five times a week to help maximum our inventory and make sure something is always offered. Sign up to support the pantry for a week in 2025 by making donations or helping stock.
There are lots of other ways to connect with organizations in CU that are working on food justice. Download a list of some local resources to access food, donate food, volunteer, or learn more about. Let REE know if you are interested in volunteering as part of a larger group!

Resources for Emerging Adults

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 22:14:28 GMT

Are you someone who is between the ages of 18 and 25? Or do you know someone who is?

As UUCUC reflects on what it means to support connection and spiritual development for people of all ages, we want to give special attention to emerging adults —those aged 18 to 25. They may live near or far, or be in various stages in your life, career, or spiritual journey.

Here are three resources to help emerging adults connect with other UU young adults who share their stage of life and values of love, inclusion, and justice.

National Emerging Adult Database — The UUA is connecting the national community of UU young adults to figure out what they need and how to better support them. Get added to the database by emailing Eric Bliss, Youth and Emerging Adult Specialist, at ebliss@uua.org or by responding to this form .
Pastoral Care : In addition to the normal stuff that young adults have to deal with (transitions, mental health challenges, adulting, coping with demands of education or employment, etc.), they may be struggling with the state of the world and trying to find hope and strength in these challenging times.
UUA has a professional care team that offers supportive listening and specifically addresses the needs of 18 to 25-year-olds. To get connected, email eapastoralcare@uua.org or call (617) 948-6418.
Chaplains for young adults - Complete a request form, and someone will reach out within 48 hours to schedule a Zoom or call.
Connect with the Young Adult Revival Network (YARN) on Discord or subscribe to their monthly newsletter . The March issue features educational programs, online worship, job opportunities, support groups, media, memes, and more.

Let's Connect!

Kelly Skinner, our Director of Faith Development, wants to connect and communicate with emerging adults several times a year to better understand their needs, provide support, encourage belonging, and help them flourish wherever they may be.

Have a Coffee & Chat

If you live in the CU area or are making a short visit, we want to buy you a coffee (or tea, soda, chai). Schedule a time to meet with Kelly to get to know each other better and learn more about how we can support you.

Update Your Contact Information

We may not have complete or updated contact information. Please email religious-exploration@uucuc.org with your current address, phone number, and/or preferred email. If you are in school or working, let us know where and what you are doing.

Adult OWL

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:34:12 GMT

Update on Adult OWL Class - Spring 2025

The Adult OWL class that we were planning to have this spring has been postponed to a later date in the spring or summer.

Perhaps the state of the world is just too chaotic or people have too much on their plate currently. We totally understand. But we recognize that in 2025, more than ever, OWL for Adults is an important and unique offering that helps promote self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice, and inclusivity. We definitely want people from our congregation and community to have the opportunity to participate in the class!

The program seeks to help adults of all ages achieve a greater understanding of themselves and others as whole persons in the context of their sexual being. Workshops present variety of activities and discussion on topics such as sexuality and values, your sexual body, consent and boundaries, dating and relationships, safer sex, self-pleasure, and sexuality and aging, disability, and chronic illness. The curriculum is sex-positive, inclusive, and upholds the concept that healthy sexuality is a fundamental part of the human experience.

We are excited to plan for the future of Adult OWL here at UUCUC. Our facilitators have trained and prepared, and we want to hear from you! We'd love to hear your concerns or hopes as we plan for a future class.

Were you interested in the program, but didn't sign up? We want your feedback about days and times for meeting, questions about what the class would cover, feelings you had about a class of such a personal, intimate topic, or anything else!

Pamela Van Wyk, Jenna Bayler, and Kelly Skinner are trained facilitators for Adult OWL. It's a very rewarding and interesting process and our programs are enhanced by having a diverse facilitation group who represent different identities and life experiences.

If you are interested in joining the Adult OWL facilitation team, there are training sessions coming up on March 27-29 in Memphis, TN and April 25-27 in Minneapolis, MN. UUCUC pays all expenses to attend the training in exchange for a commitment to volunteer.

If you are interested in being trained in any of the other OWL classes (K-1 and 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12), contact Kelly Skinner.

Practicing Presence to Deal with Holiday Stress

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 22:07:45 GMT

Resources for parents and guardians to better understand and support their children through challenges, whether familiar or new. These tools are designed to empower parents as guides and companions on their child’s journey.

This month, we explore practicing mindfulness and presence in family life to help manage holiday stress.

How to Bring More Peace and Presence to Family Life

Life is stressful, but the holiday season can add an extra layer to many families' lives. This article offers seven strategies families can use mindfulness to strengthen their bonds.

https://www.mindful.org/how-to-bring-more-peace-and-presence-to-family-life/

The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Child: Presence

“One of the most important gifts a parent can give a child is [their] presence, validation, and security. When we're present with our children, it lays a path for attunement and resonance. Attunement is when the parent is aware and present to the child's inner world of thoughts, feelings, and emotions. When attuned, a state of resonance occurs where the child "feels felt." Think about any time you felt completely understood. It breeds a sense of safety, and when a person feels safe, they cultivate the ability to trust.”

https://www.mindful.org/the-greatest-gift-to-give-your-child-your-presence/

Holiday Gifts: Managing Expectations With Your Kids

Three expert tips for stressing (and spending) less during the giving season.

https://www.parentmap.com/article/holiday-gifts-managing-expectations-your-kids

What To Do When My Child Acts Disappointed After Receiving A Gift From Someone

It has happened to us all at one point in time or another; someone gives our child a gift, and they don’t like it, and they make it known. This article helps break down what children might be going through and how to deal with it in the moment.

https://www.drbeurkens.com/podcast/what-to-do-when-my-child-acts-disappointed-after-receiving-a-gift-from-someone/

Exploring Presence Through Books and Movies

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 22:59:56 GMT

Books, movies, and TV shows that help families engage the December 2024 theme of PRESENCE with their imagination. These suggestions honor the unique way stories enrich our sense of what's possible, expand our empathy, and build our identities.

If you are interested in purchasing these or other books, visit the UUCUC Bookshop . Your purchases support UUCUC and local independent book stores. Feel free to peruse or purchase any of the books you see on our lists. Happy reading!

BOOK: The Night Before New Year's by Natasha Wing (suggested for kids 6 and below)

It's the night before New Year's, and the whole family is determined to stay up until midnight! Everyone's stocked up on sparkly streamers and festive party hats, but after a night filled with card games and too many cupcakes, the little ones are getting sleepy. . . Can they make it until the clock strikes twelve?

Invitation to Connect: Ask your children if they think they could be in the moment enough to stay up all the way till midnight. What are some things they would do to help them stay away and be present for the first minute of the new year?

BOOK: The Nutcracker in Harlem by T. E. McMorrow (suggested for kids 4-8)

This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season. In this original retelling, set in New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, one little girl finds her voice as a musician thanks to her enchanting adventures with a magical toy.

Invitation to Connect: Ask your child about who has been present in their lives that helped them find their voice.

BOOK: Life in the Present: A Joyful Collection of Comics About Living in the Moment by Liz Climo (suggested for youth 5-9 years old)

Dive into the humor and warm-hearted wisdom from adorable bears, otters, bunny rabbits, and hamsters (among others) who help us all to see the beauty in life's least significant occasions.

Invitation to Connect: Ask your child what moments have brought them the most joy and why they were so special to them.

TV SHOW: Bluey - Season 2 Episode 26 "Sleepytime” (G)

Bingo struggles to fall asleep and goes on a dream adventure with her dad, Bandit, during which Bandit reflects on the importance of enjoying the time spent with his children. The episode beautifully illustrates the idea of cherishing each moment and reminds us of the importance of being present with loved ones.

Invitation to Connect: Talk about what they would have done if they were in the same situation.

MOVIE: Kung Fu Panda (PG)

Po's journey reminds us of the value of mindfulness and being present, particularly through his training and experiences.

Invitation to Connect: S hare with your kids some funny (and challenging) stories about times in your life when you found it hard to be present and fully in the moment

MOVIE: Tuck Everlasting (PG, 10 and up)

A 15-year-old girl learns to live in the present moment from a mysterious family living in the forest near her home.

Invitation to Connect: U se this movie as an opportunity to talk to your kids about living the present moment, and if they could live forever, would they want to or not, and why.

Exploring Presence Through Family Conversation

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:01:00 GMT

At The Table - Questions about Presence

At the Table engages the monthly theme through question-driven family discussions. The questions are designed to be used at a family gathering, most often dinner, but also during a quiet moment in the living room, before a board game night, or while driving in the car. This section strengthens the bonds within a family as members learn more about each other by asking and answering evocative questions.

How To Go About It

The most straightforward way to do this is simply to have parents and/or caregivers read off the questions they think will resonate the most with family members and have everyone take turns answering.

Another fun way to do this is to create a family question jar . Print the questions below and cut them to make “question strips.” You can then pull out the question jar and have family members choose a question/strip a few times each week.

Discussion Questions

Who has taught you the most about being present and living in the moment?
Do you believe in the presence of magic? If so, what does magic look like, sound like, or feel like? If you don’t believe in magic, is there something you have imagined that is so wonderfully “magical” you wish it was real?
Besides opening presents, what is your favorite thing to be present for during the winter holidays?
During winter, sunlight is a lot less present than the rest of the year? What is one thing you like and one thing you don’t like about this season of darker days?
During the holidays, we often miss and feel the presence of those who have died. Is there a family member or pet you are especially missing this holiday season? If you could say something to them, what would it be?
Memories fill the present moment during the winter holidays. What is your favorite winter holiday memory?
How do you know what makes something a good present/gift for someone else?
Why does giving presents & gifts to others feel good to you?
What is the best present/gift you ever received? What made it the best?
What is the best present/gift you gave to someone else?
What is one holiday movie that you’d love to be present every year and never get tired of watching? What makes it so special?
Some people think of “being present” as being still and focused. Who in your family would win a stillness contest?
Why is being present important?