In Gratitude to Naomi Yoshida – Thank you – From UUCLB

From the Director of Religious Education – Naomi Yoshida

Welcome back! Welcome colorful leaves, and all things pumpkin spicy! and Farewell

Oh, did we have fun this summer!! Tye-dying T-shirts; making Pride Banners for Pride; Marching in the Long Beach Pride Parade; playing Water Balloon Baseball (Wow, ace smashers!), a Camping Day with stories, songs and S’mores…and so much more. The summer just flew by!

We wrapped up the summer with the Faith in Action Backpack Project, our cherished month-long social action work by our children and youth. There are over 6,000 children and youth within the Long Beach Unified School District who are either homeless or living in transitional housing. For over 25 years, the youth of UUCLB have endeavored to provide brand-new backpacks filled with school supplies to the Bethune Transitional Center which serves LB Unified. We created art, visited the nearby neighborhood with request letters, and handed out donation bags to our congregation. Although the threat of a hurricane imposed upon our donation pickups, it turned out to be an opportunity to dance joyfully in the rain! The following week we assembled and filled the school backpacks!  Because the storm hampered us, we will continue to accept donations and will be organizing a second round of backpacks for the school children in need.

Back at home, we have a robust and vibrant group of children and youth starting the fall with us. Come share our cherished UU values with them as the Article 2 Amendment enfolds our beloved 8 Principles and 6 Sources placing Love at the center of it all. The RE Committee and I need your support for this programming. Our Safer Congregation policy mandates that every volunteer clear a background check. Our program will have to remain flexible if we are not able to maintain appropriate teacher ratios, and either combine or cancel classes if necessary. Please contact me now to volunteer!

Religious Education will be using Soul Matters as our touchpoint for Time for All Ages and within the classrooms. This curriculum allows for great flexibility within its nature.

Sofia Ringo, our loving caregiver, has been giving Room 4 a freshening up this summer, creating a space of delight to engage our youngest children.

Parents and Guardians, please join us for our Multigenerational Water Communion on 9/10 at 10 am followed by a Parent Orientation at 11:30 am at the picnic tables. Come learn about everything RE. Teachers and Facilitators will participate in coordination by Reverend Lissa Gundlach and come away emboldened to share the spiritual path.

I wish you the best during this journey of spiritual exploration, wonder, awe and discoveries with you and your children & youth!

Blessed be!
Naomi

Curricular Days are beginning in October

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities please contact

Rev Lissa Gundlach & Kathy Adams at RE_registration@uuclb.org

The registration form is required for all participating young people – available for download