Deep sharing can come from even the youngest of us.

Often we look at our Sunday Session groups with the children as small group ministry. We can have anywhere from two to 15 in a group, so planning ahead can often be tricky. One thing our participants can rely on is that they will have an opportunity each week to be heard. Whatever it is that they have been carrying with them, they have the chance to share and lay it all out on the table.

We’ll always do a check-in. Sometimes funny and silly, often a getting to know you, but mostly a “how are you doing?”. Last Sunday, December 20th, after a beautiful telling about the Yule Log by Jane Feldman, during the Time For All Ages, our young congregants were given a tealight to signify lighting the yule log. We took those back to our learning area and sat down. I allowed the children each to select a glass stone, something that called out “joy” to them.

Then we spoke about sharing our joy with one another, and also sharing our light with those feelings that might need a little brightness. The sharing that took place was sincere and authentic. Each child added their stone and light to the large shell. The sense of “safe” was apparent in the group; sharing fears, anxiety, excitement and curiosities. To witness these experiences with our youngest Unitarian Universalist’s is an honor. They are bright, mindful, caring, and present.

I hope that someday you’ll be willing to spend time with these amazing individuals. They have so much to offer you.

If you’d like to consider what the experience might be like, please never hesitate to contact me. faithdevelopment@uuclv.org

Danielle Bell

Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Let It Shine lights up again January 9th

We are a community that is rich in spirit and excitement, especially when it comes to the creative side of spirituality. Join us this January 9th with a gleam of mystery in B.Y.O.T (build your own tarot). Led by Elaine Edmiston. Elaine is looking forward to helping us craft our own tarot, or oracle card, decks. The deck can be as large or small as you like and as creative or personal as you like. Think about what symbols and messages resonate with you. Perhaps leaf through a traditional deck to get an idea of the format. Cardstock, washi, glue, and tape will be provided. Although we will have a nice lot to choose from,if you plan on joining, please take some time before the event to gather some images that you would like to use. These could be magazine clippings, photos, postcards, etc. Also, think about the messages you would like to correspond to your images, so your deck will be personal to you. And have fun!