Emmy's Friday Update

Greetings CYM Families & Friends!

Here’s what’s happening in CYM this Sunday, December 7, 2025:

Children’s Chapel will *NOT* be held this week.

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

Sunday Service: “Choosing Hope” - Many holidays with themes of hope are celebrated in the month of December: Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, culminating in the optimism of a New Year. Is Hope a wish? An emotion? A choice? An action? A decision? Join us as we begin to reflect on this month’s theme of Choosing Hope, and ways we can expand our ideas about what hope is, and how we can cultivate it. Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Martha Larson

Time For All Ages: Children and youth in grades 2-8 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: “The Blessing” - This week our young ones will explore a story about Hanukkah. They will learn that a Menorah, the symbol of Hanukkah, is filled with the oil of freedom and the “love of mitzvah”. And that it is through sharing with others that we are blessed.

Young UUs: “Creating joy” - Our young UUs will be busy crafting holiday decorations, singing with Rev Josh, and sipping spiced cider on the Garden Level this first Sunday in December.

Jr Youth Group: “Yule Fire” - Last week our junior youth built a small fire “log cabin style” and talked about the different kinds of fires; those for cooking, heating, forest fires and intentional land clearing, and sacred fires. This week they will build a conical style fire. Please send youth in footwear and clothes appropriate for walking around outside.

Next High School Youth Group Meeting: Saturday, December 13th 1-3pm at UUSE for baking and Sunday, December 14th for regular HSYG meeting and Bake Sale

Next Affirmation Meeting: December 14th at 1pm (pack a lunch)

See you Sunday!

Seasonal Happenings:

Sun, Dec 14: Holiday Music Service @ 9&11am

Sun, Dec 21: CYM Winter Holiday Party @ 12pm (outdoors!)

Wed, Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service @ 5pm

Sun, Dec 28: No CYM Programming - Winter Break

Sat, Jan 3: 6PM Talent Show for children and youth in collaboration with the monthly Coffee House. Bring dinner for the family and enjoy the many talents of our community! Children and youth are invited to perform a song, poem, skit, magic tricks, trivia, or any other talent!

Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25: Overnight Con for 7th-12th graders! Located at USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford) with UUSE support. Arrive at 6pm on Saturday and stay for games, movies, video games, foosball, and zoom with other youth! Rise and shine Sunday morning to participate in USH’s long standing tradition of “Soup Sunday!”

Sat, Jan 31: UUSE Annual Cook-off and Live Auction Event - fun for the whole family!

Sat, Feb 21: 8AM Mount Southington Ski Trip in partnership with USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford) Open to skiers of all ages!

Sun, Feb 22: 3pm Kirtan at UUSE

Sat, Mar 28: Nightlight Mission in partnership with USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford): Families with children/youth meet @ 2PM to sort clothes & prepare soup, coffee and sandwiches; @8PM distribute clothing and food to the unhoused.

With Gratitude,

Emmy Galbraith

Director of Children & Youth Ministry

dcym@uuse.org

Office: (860)646-5151

Cell: (860)576-7889

CYM Committee Members:

Sudha, co-chair

Michelle Spadaccini, co-chair

Desiree Holian-Borgnis

Paula Baker

Kaitlyn Guilmette

Committee email: uusecym@uuse.org

Angela Attardo, CYM Program Assistant

CYMAsst@uuse.org

Molly Vigeant, Nursery Coordinator