Emmy's Friday Update

Greetings CYM Families & Friends!

Pictured above are some members of our Junior Youth Group, walking the UUSE grounds last week, as they will most Sundays. Here they are scooping bones (likely opossum) out of the vernal spring on the land we steward. We talked about how bones are stories. The youth connected that idea to the “CSI” television show and how scientists use bones to put together a story. Bones are used in modern science, as well as in spirituality rooted in ancient practices. We discovered that science and spirituality overlap a lot more than we might think. And our church is a place to talk about the life cycle with both lenses, like a pair of glasses.

This week we will continue to settle into our 2025-2026 programming spaces. Here’s what’s happening in CYM this Sunday, September 28, 2025:

NEW THIS SUNDAY: I will lead Children’s Chapel at 10:15 am on the Garden Level! Caregivers may relax with a cup of coffee or book while I bring the children through the ritual of sharing worship space, personal joys and concerns, and introducing Autumnal spiritual themes. Children’s worship is open to all ages, nursery through high school, with or without a parent, as you are comfortable. Items to loan to the autumn altar are most welcome!

Nursery: Childcare will be available in our nursery at 11 AM for children age 3 and under.

Sunday Service: “Imagining a Congregational Year, Part II” - Because one service on kicking off the congregational year could not possibly cover everything, Rev. Josh will continue exploring the themes he introduced in his September 14th service. Special Guest Music Leader: Andy Ricci. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.

Time For All Ages: Children and youth in grades 2-12 will attend the beginning of the Sunday service in the Sanctuary on the Main Level. The first two rows on the right are reserved for children and youth to sit together, and families are welcome to join them. After the “Time For All Ages” segment of Sunday service, children and youth will be dismissed to the Garden Level to attend further programming.

Spirit Play: “Student Orientation” - Following last week’s Family Orientation, this week our Spirit Play students will attend class, leaving their caregivers at the door. The first story basket of the program year is all about a group of animals in the forest, on their first day of Spirit Play.

Young UUs: “Our Congregation” - This Sunday, UUSE Music Director Mary Bopp will visit our Young UUs classroom to teach a simple hymn, “Mediation on Breathing,” which will be sung at the Ancestor’s Day service next month. After Mary’s visit, our students will put together a visual board of the leaders at UUSE using our latest picture directory. Rounding out the day may include opportunity to draw of write simple notes for our young adult care packages, or time outdoors.

Jr Youth Group: “Bones and Goldenrod” - Our Junior Youth will further study their nature finds from last week, as well as prep some ethically harvested Goldenrod for next week’s project! Please send youth in footwear and clothes appropriate for walking around outside.

High School Youth Group: “Care Packages and Survey Results” - High School Youth Group will meet and continue to work on care packages for young adults, as well as go over survey results for future activities.

Young Adult Care Packages: Each year we collect for and put together care packages for our young adults who are moving on with their post-high-school plans. Don’t know what to donate? Ear buds, candy, snacks, cocoa, fidget toys, laundry detergent packs, microwave popcorn and other foods are just a few ideas. Or look for the flyers around the building with the care package symbol, scan the QR code and purchase something from our Amazon wish list (https://tinyurl.com/2025CarePackages ) by November 2nd. (Donations being collected on site through November 9th.) Write a note of encouragement to any of this year’s recipients: Becky Ayers, Indigo bender, Graham Bornhorst, Logan Breen, Casey Campellone, Lilly-Rose Coleman, Mateo Garcia, Teagan Mabrysmith, Althea Nelson-Woodward, Sadie Nitzan, Max Pawelek, Molly Rourke, Jessica Slogesky and Anya Stolzman. Thank you for your support!

See you Sunday!

Autumn Happenings:

Sept 28: @10:15am: Weekly Children’s Chapel offered between services

@11am: CYM programming

@11am: Spirit Play Student Orientation (helpful for all students to attend)

Sat, Oct 25: Trunk-or-Treat: set-up @ 5:30pm, event runs 6-7:30pm. Open to the public

Sun, Oct 26: Ancestors’ Day Service @ 11am

Sat, Nov 1: Mr. Lobster Concert @ 2pm

Thurs, Nov 27*: Friendsgiving at UUSE (reach out to me to express interest and receive more details) *tentative

Sun, Dec 14: Holiday Music Service @ 11am

Sun, Dec 14: CYM Winter Holiday Party @ 12:30pm

With Gratitude,

Emmy Galbraith

Director of Children & Youth Ministry

dcym@uuse.org

Office: (860)646-5151

Cell: (860)576-7889

CYM Committee Members:

Michelle Spadaccini, co-chair

Sudha, co-chair

Heather Alexson, co-chair

Desiree Holian-Borgnis

Paula Baker

Kaitlyn Guilmette

Committee email: uusecym@uuse.org

Angela Attardo, CYM Program Assistant

CYMAsst@uuse.org