As the school year progresses, it always feels to me like a wind-up toy in reverse.  In September it feels like the pace is relatively slow and even, but by the time we reach May, it feels like there isn’t a moment which isn’t scheduled with frenetic activity!

During the month of May we had our Annual Beltane Service with a Maypole.  If I recollect correctly, Buffy Boke started the tradition 10 years ago.  Over the course of the years, during some Maypole dances, it was drizzling and for some it was a beautiful spring day; and this year it was a bit brisk and overcast.

Nancy Walker was a Guest Artist, and Glenn and Dave Morin assisted her with a dinosaur hunt.  For Nancy’s business, she fabricates life-sized dinosaur puzzles and has developed engaging educational activities to accompany it.  I understand the children thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’ve encouraged her to come back as an encore Guest Artist.

Last Sunday the children tidied up around the outside of the yurt and planted sweet peas along the fence.  Jim Dow assisted by putting back up the split rail fence.  It was taken down several years ago when work was done on the septic system.  Check it out!

On May 23 we’ll hold the children’s recognition in the yurt.  Typically we do it along with the teacher’s recognition which will be on June 6, but I’ll already be on my bike journey.  I’ll depart on my trip on June 4, heading to Colorado, and will return in Hartland on July 9.  We plan on riding 2000 miles, so wish us luck!

On June 13 will be the annual tent service at Connie Tessier’s home.  The children will make cookies at church and then walk over to Connie’s house at the end of the service.  After the service will be a pot-luck lunch, followed by our second annual UU scavenger hunt.

From June 20-September 5, adult volunteers will lead simple craft projects with the children.  Nursery care provided by our youth will join forces with the children and their craft projects.

Gratefully,  Jill Lloyd, DRE

RE Calendar June

  6    Sun    10:00-11:00 am        Intergenerational Teacher Recognition.

13    Sun    10:00-11:00 am        Children will make cookies at church & then walk to Connie Tessier’s home,
                                                after the tent service; Followed with potluck & second Annual UU                                                          historical scavenger hunt.

20    Sun    10:00-11:00 am        Making tissue paper flowers.

27    Sun    10: 00-11:00 am    Creating noodle jewelry & pictures.

In preparation for Easter, I told the Spirit Play called The Easter Story, with Heather Findlay as my assistant. Last year Bineke Oort and Libbet Downs created the story box. When I opened the box to practice the story, I realized how much work they put into creating the props for the story. Wow! I enjoyed thinking about the Christian origins of Easter. I typically have a more Earth centered focus at Easter, thinking about rebirth and renewal. I relished the children’s thoughtful reflections about the story.

On Easter Sunday, David Day and Gary Band helped the children prepare the coffee hour. I was out of town visiting my parents, but I understand that the hot cross buns, fresh out of the oven were gobbled up. Our church is gifted with both artistic and culinary talent. It’s some of the attributes of our congregation that makes it so rich!

Looking ahead to the month of May, we’ll begin with our annual Intergenerational Beltane Service with a Maypole. On May 9, Nancy Walker will lead a dinosaur hunt. I’ve had the privilege in participating on one, and I’ll testify that it’s fun activity for all ages! This year our RE theme has been stories, and how they enrich our lives. It’s interesting to learn about dinosaurs and think about our ancestral roots to them. On May 30, the children will plant flowers at the Center of Town Cemetery for Memorial Day as part of their Faith in Action.

It’s hard to believe that our RE year is coming to a close! On May 23, we’ll have our last Children’s Chapel and we’ll recognize the children by giving them their stone attendance bead. Todd Lloyd and Wendy James will finish the 7th & 8th grade OWL program on June 6. Wow, we can celebrate their dedication volunteering to teach our youth over the past 3 months. During June, July and August, the RE program will be more casual with a different craft project set up for each Sunday. We’re recruiting adults to help out with the craft projects.

I’ll be departing on a 33 day bike trip from Westcliffe, Colorado where I used to call home on June 7, and will arrive in Hartland, VT on July 9. Mallory, Bryce and Todd will be joining me on the trip, along with friends and family. The culmination of this trip will be on July 10, riding as family in our 3rd Prouty, along with church friends. Last September I was diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer. This trip is a celebration of family and friends and the power of healing through these connections. I will be raising money for The Norris Cotton Cancer Center and have been journaling about this episode in my life on a blog called “Jill’s Cyclo Venture.”

Take Care,
Jill Lloyd, DRE

RE Calendar May

RE Buzz -April 2010

During the month of March, the children acted on their faith through several Deepening the Spirit activities. The children raised $258 for the Pennies for Peace fundraiser, which is a program of the non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute, founded by Greg Mortenson. Greg wrote the best seller Three Cups of Tea about his grass-roots effort and experiences in Pakistan and Afghanistan assisting villages to build their own schools. With the money the children raised, the following assistance can be provided by the Central Asia Institute:

* Maternal health care supplies for one year
* Treadle sewing machine and supplies
* School supplies for 5 children for 1 year
* 48 notebooks
* 80 pencils

Eighteen youth on March 13, and five RE children on March 14 volunteered for the Winter Special Olympics at Suicide Six Ski Area. There’s much to be proud of regarding our youth and children. Most of the youth were signed up to be guides for the alpine skiers, but when they were asked to instead be gate keepers, the youth enthusiastically stepped up to the plate. If it weren’t for our youth, there wouldn’t have been enough gate keepers, canceling the alpine races. On Sunday, five children, Beth Rice, Johanna Knowles and I braved the foul weather, to cheer on the alpine ski racers. Compared to the previous day, there were few spectators due to the rain, so I’m sure the athletes appreciated the children stationed along the trail, cheering them on.

I continue to be amazed how much artistic talent we have in our congregation. Bruce Locke fabricated ceramic pendants, and instructed the children how to paint chalices onto their pendants. David Morin helped to assist the smaller children. Bruce then fired the glazed pendants in his kiln. They came out adorable.

We can be thankful for the level of volunteer commitment in our church. If you’ve noticed that Todd Lloyd and Wendy James have been absent on Sundays, it’s because they’ve been out in the parsonage teaching Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum to seven 7th & 8th graders. They volunteered to teach this curriculum on Sundays from February 28 to June 6, and that doesn’t include the preparation time for the classes!

Enjoy the Coming of Spring,

Jill Lloyd, DRE

RE Calendar April

4 Sun 9:30-10:00 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal
10:00-11:00 RE Children assist with coffee hour
NO OWL
11 Sun 10:00-11:00 am 7th & 8th Grade OWL
RE Children’s Chapel-Stories from families and faiths
11:30-12:30 7th & 8th Grade OWL
18 Sun 10:00-11:00 am Faith in Action
NO OWL
25 Sun 10:00-11:00 am Guest Artist
4:30-5:30 pm OWL (supper served)
6:00-7:00 OWL