Thoughts from RE
Why Religious Education?

Children are spiritual beings. They have natural senses of wonder, enthusiasm, and inventiveness which they use to make meaning of the world around them, and their place in it. The desire to create meaning is universally human, (and in fact, may extend to our fellow animal species, as well). Children do not have experience on their side, but they do have the ability to be present, which is the essence of spiritual experience.

Religious education gives children the chance to explore different ways of being spiritual. In the Unitarian Universalist Faith, we do not teach dogma or creeds to which a child must adhere. Instead, we teach children to listen to their own wisdom, and to trust it. We share experiences of others, and affirm possibilities. We not only allow Wonder, we encourage it.

Life offers many challenges which are easier to face when one is able to draw on the strength of spiritual groundedness. Children are as bombarded as adults with pressures and injustices in their lives. They don't get many opportunities other than church to build their spiritual “muscle”, to develop a toolkit to dig into when the going gets rough. When we truly understand that we are part of something larger than ourselves, as is every other living being, and when we have a faith community that offers compassion and love even when we are feeling least capable of returning it, we can see beyond temporary setbacks and through terrible grief. Children are not young long.

RE is a place where they can explore coping skills and experience receiving and giving care and concern in a broader context of community. Of course, there are many things families can do at home to encourage spirituality. Starting next week, check out my weekly View article for practical ideas and simple practices to encourage spiritual growth.

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We welcome Sianna Bethune to our childcare team. She is a thoughtful 17 year old who will be a senior this fall. She volunteers at The Science Center every week, and is already loved by several of our PUC youngest. She, Zoey, and Luccia make a great team! 

Much love and gratitude to the volunteers who are stepping up to teach “Summer with the Doctors”, to date, volunteers who have signed up and or served have included Melissa Garcia, Wendy Clancy, Michele Bethune, Lora Childers, Victor Paieda, Dale Osborne, and Phyllis (Missy)  Rogers. We are looking for more help! Please let me know by email if you can help. You will love our kids!

With love and Wonder,
Vicki
religiouseducation@thecenteratpuc.org

“In wildness is the preservation of the world.”
Henry David Thoreau

As the Preschool Project moves forward, the changes to the environment have been amazing.  The classrooms are complete and the patio off the garden has now become a peaceful, calm and even more inviting space.  We cannot wait to begin the children’s garden and will be working with the Green Sanctuary to set the foundation to develop good practice with the children who will be attending Pacific Sage Preschool. 

Visitors on Saturday at our Solstice Celebration and open house were entranced and enchanted by the space inside and outside the classrooms.
 

This week, work begins on a meditation deck along the side of the Voyager Room.  For young and old, it will be a place to pause and reflect.

Thank you to all the volunteers who continue working tirelessly to bring this wonderful opportunity to the community.

Our next step is now getting through the licensing process.

Warmly,
Sylvia 
Director
Pacific Sage Preschool

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General Assembly

This Week - Be There Virtually

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association and it is happening June 24-28 in Portland, OR.  Maybe you cannot get there, but you can attend Virtual General Assembly!

Live-streaming GA video will start on Wednesday with the Opening Celebration. The Ware Lecture (which is the event keynote) is being delivered this year by Dr. Cornel West.



Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He is best known for his classic Race Matters and appears frequently on television on subjects ranging from racial justice and queer rights to climate justice. He has recently been deeply involved in the Black Lives Matter protests and was among those arrested in Ferguson in 2015. Cornel West has a passion to communicate in writings and orations, through music and film, and in solidarity with groups and faith communities  committed to justice in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.—a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice. Connect with the national and international movement by streaming or watching archived sessions of General Assembly. See uua.org/ga/virtual/2015 to see which events you can watch. 
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Women's Reading and Responding
Book Club 
Third Mondays
NEXT: July 20
11:00 a.m.
PUC Library

Please join us to discuss and to chat.

NEW TITLE  July: Cokie Robert's Capital Dames 
August: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah
September: Laurie King's To Play the Fool

Questions? Contact Robin Arehart.
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I Go Among Trees and Sit Still
by Wendell Berry

I go among trees and sit still.

All my stirring becomes quiet

Around me like circles on water.

My tasks lie in their places

Where I left them, asleep like cattle…

Then what I am afraid of comes.

I live for a while in its sight.

What I fear in it leaves it,

And the fear of it leaves me.

It sings, and I hear its song.

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Gentle Yoga Class for All
Wednesdays
11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
No Class on the Following Dates:  
June 24, July 8,15 & 22
Henriksen Hall

A Class designed for all levels, shapes, and ages.  We will focus on a gentle practice through movement:

To help unblock your flow of energy Increase your mental and physical flexibility while releasing stress and enhancing body awareness

Poses and exercises to build strength, relieve pain and stress, and improve balance

Suggested Donation: $15/class.  Taught by Debi Robinson

Questions: Debi@omhappy.com
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