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 Greta’s
Column:
A Busy Summer
As I write this, I am at church on a Saturday
afternoon. The parking lot has many cars. Voices in discussion
and the aroma of coffee waft through the air. Sleeping bags and
air mattresses are stashed in corners. For this is youth advisor
training.
Led by a youth and an adult trained by the UUA, the facilitators help
participants learn the six components of a balanced youth
program: worship, youth-adult connections, community building,
social action, learning and leadership. Youth advisors learn that
youth empowerment means power with youth, not power over youth or power
over adults.
This dedicated group includes adults willing to drive long distances
and devote an entire weekend without beds and showers to learn how to
improve youth programs in our churches and districts. I am
delighted five of our own church members are in attendance, Jackie
Lovitch, brand new, enthusiastic, youth advisor and our youngest church
member, John Ballance, experienced youth advisor, Betsy
Strayhorn, religious education teacher and supportive parent of a
new youth group member, Greg Jarold, Children and Youth RE chair and
high school OWL sexuality education teacher, and Marsha Albright, our
board president. This list does not even include youth advisor
Diana Hull who previously attended this training and was on site much
of the time, preparing delicious meals for the participants.
This busyness at church has seemed a hallmark of the summer. Our
Tuesday morning playgroup continues strong for the first summer
ever. Some Tuesdays have had as many as 30 children and parents
out on the playground, enjoying games and conversation.
Thursday morning craft group carries on – this group of women is
enjoying fellowship throughout the summer. And Sunday morning
services bring many new voices to our pulpit and many friends and
visitors through our doors.
Summer camp was a great success. 40 campers learned about space
and evolution thanks to the imagination and energy of 8 teen helpers
and many, many adults. Our campers included grandchildren of
members and friends of our church children. I would venture to
guess that we were the only church camp in town that celebrated our
descent from apes!
For those of you who have taken a hiatus this summer, I look forward to
greeting you and hearing of your summer adventures. Each year as
I write my late summer article, I reflect on how quickly children
grow. This year has brought changes and growth for my
family, with one son graduated from college and out on his own, one in
college and one in high school. I can remember bringing each son
home as an infant as if it were yesterday and it makes me
wistful. How wonderful to have a church where I can watch
this same transformation with a rich flow of families and delight in
new babies on a continuing basis.
We have much to look forward to this fall. We will welcome
our minister as she shares her sabbatical adventures and
learning. Joan Vondra, Greg Jarold and I will lead a
teacher training and renewal on September 9. Joan and Greg have
much wisdom to offer - Joan, as a second generation UU,
experienced OWL and RE teacher and professor in the PITT School
of Education and Greg, who has taught RE and OWL at every
grade level from toddlers to adults. I am certain our RE
volunteers will come away from the morning full of ideas to make Sunday
mornings meaningful and engaging for our children and youth.
October 1 is a Sunday service dedicated to Our Whole Lives Sexuality
Education. Our many OWL teachers will share components of the OWL
program at all age levels and demonstrate that OWL is about much more
than where babies come from
The last Sunday in October will be a celebration of UU history. I
encourage you all to come as your favorite Unitarian or Universalist,
and bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch. You may have an
opportunity to meet William Ellery Channing , Dorthea Dix, Albert
Schweitzer, James Reeb or Susan B. Anthony.
Many fall adult RE offerings will be publicized soon. This is a
wonderful way to make connections with other adults.
See you at church,
Greta
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