Our Director of Religious Education, Jacki Weber, writes a weekly column with news about our Religious Education program for the church newsletter.  Here are her most recent columns.

May 2, 2024

Hi hi hi UUCSC Families and Friends!

We had a wonderful Earth Day celebration at Sepulveda Wildlife Basin on April 20th with Friends of the Los Angeles River. We culled invasive species and made pressed handmade “native seed bombs” to replace them: it was full-on fun, fellowship, and faith in action. Can’t wait to do it again with you all. 

HAPPENING TODAY!

Sat, May 4, 2024 11:30 AM-1:30 PM - UU Church of Studio City Neighborhood Spring Give - Download the Flyer Here and Spread the Word! Show off UUCSC to the neighborhood at a “Spring Give!” Together we’ll build a community that has all the abundance it needs. You bring your stuff. Neighbors bring theirs. We all “buy nothing” and rehome a lot of items that can use a new life. 

Sundays in May - Pluralism! 

This month’s Soulful Home Packet offers: “Pluralism calls for each of us to welcome the concept of “in process” as a personal status and a collective one. It’s adopting the discipline of almost continually wondering about, analyzing, naming, evaluating, unlearning, relearning, and integrating the myriad ways to be human. It’s approaching the world with a curiosity about everyone around us. It’s holding lightly onto conclusions and beliefs about who we are, and who everyone else is, too. For UUs, this is a faith imperative. To be the hands of the divine in the world, we have to be able to reorient toward and connect with the evolving divine in ourselves, and in each unique one of us. Email dre@uustudiocity.org for Soulful Home - a UU packet that helps you find the sacred in everyday spaces.

Sundays, May 5 & 12 - Playground opens at 9:30. We’ll begin exploring the theme of Pluralism. During Our Whole Lives season, kids 10+ are invited to take the morning off or act as helpers for the littles.

Thu, May 16 - Join us for the final Third Thursday dinner of the season! Playground opens at 5. Dinner at 5:30 and fun and games afterward! Bring your kids out for a last hurrah with spaghetti and games. Thanks again to all the awesome volunteers who make Third Thursdays so great. Have a great summer off! 

April 17, 2024

Hi hi hi UUCSC Families and Friends!

Hope you are finally enjoying some spring weather and that your week is going well. 

We’re spending Saturday morning, April 20th, cleaning up the Sepulveda Wildlife Basin in our bold ‘n’ gold UU Side With Love shirts! Can’t wait to share pix on our UUCSC Group Chat Page on Facebook. If you’re not a part, it’s a private Facebook Group just for members and friends of UUCSC. Contact me to sign up.

We’d love to see you over there!

SAVE THE DATE!

Sat, May 4, 2024 11:30 AM-1:30 PM - UU Church of Studio City Neighborhood Spring Give - Download the Flyer Here and Spread the Word! Show off UUCSC to the neighborhood at a “Spring Give!” Together we’ll build a community that has all the abundance it needs. You bring your stuff. Neighbors bring theirs. We all “buy nothing” and rehome a lot of items that can use a new life. Please help us welcome the neighborhood with entertainment, food, and crafts. Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information. 

April 10. 2024

It’s almost here! All ages are invited to join us on April 20th at 8 AM for a great morning at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve!

By the way, have you made your pledge to UUCSC for the coming year? The best way to ensure that family ministry continues to bloom is by making your most generous pledge of support. The pledge drive ends this weekend so see Reid or Barbara (or even drop me a line) and we’ll get you set up.

This past Sunday, we had a walk around the campus. We learned about and hugged some trees and it was joyful! Then we planted seeds in little pots and sent the kids home to care for them. Thanks Mary Sager McFadden for leading us!!

Happy Birthday Shannon Corder! Shannon is Elias’ mom and Jason's other half. She’s celebrating another trip around the sun on Wednesday, April 3. We don’t get to see her often but we love her all the same and we’re so glad to know her!

Thu, Mar 21 - 5:30 PM - Join us for an Equinox-y Third Thursday Dinner and Seasonal Celebration

Mark the Equinox with shaker eggs, chants, and song. Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! Don’t have a kid? RSVP to help out and join the fun! Email jweber@uustudiocity.org

REMINDER: ALL MONTH LONG, WE’RE PREPARING FOR EASTER–The Holiday Where Your Cans of Tuna Become Bubbles, Playdoh, Kinetic Sand, and Slime. Of course, Easter is a celebration of resurrection and Spring. And that will be appropriately marked in our Easter service.

It’s also an Easter tradition at UU Church of Studio City to do a “can” hunt rather than an Easter Egg Hunt. 

Throughout the month, congregants are asked to bring small cans of tuna and fruit that will be hidden throughout the campus on Easter. After learning where the cans go (to our unhoused neighbors) kids will collect them in Easter baskets and convert them into special rewards. 

You can help by bringing small cans of food OR by shopping for treats here.

Sun, Mar 31 - Easter! - Join us for our UU Easter, complete with canned food hunt and prizes!

Sat, April 20 - LA River Cleanup! We’ll make our first outing since the pandemic in our yellow Side with Love tees to help clean up the LA River! Signups are happening now! Please email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information.

Hope to see you soon! 

February 21, 2024

Thanks to Vickie and Jenny, Cindy and Shankar, Gil and Terry and Gene! You all helped host a record-attendance Third Thursday Dinner and Games. THANK YOU for lending your time and your talent! 

Would you, dear reader, like to join this awesome crew and get some floor or table time with kids over games and spaghetti? Dinners are always third Thursdays. Email jweber@uustudiocity.org. It’s a low-stress high-fun way to serve our UU Studio City Community!

Sat, Feb 24 - Come Play in the Garden! 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Families are invited to  join the Buildings and Grounds Committee for a short work party on Saturday! We will be cleaning out closets, sweeping cobwebs, weeding the front garden beds, and planting and harvesting in the community garden. The playground will be open, and children are welcome with parent supervision. Refreshments provided! See you there 🧹🌱😊 For more information, email Mary Sager-McFadden.

Sun, Feb 25 - We’re continuing to transition into some very simple programming for kids 2-10. This Sunday, after singing and lighting our chalice, and grounding ourselves with some yoga, we’ll be decorating name stones that the kids will use in coming weeks for introductions and joys and sorrows.

Wed, Feb 28 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins with the Parent/Caregiver and Child Orientation over dinner!  - This class requires registration. We still have 2-3 spots available but we must hear from prospective families before the orientation. Email jacki.weber@uustudiocity.org for more information.

February 14, 2024

I’m wishing you and your family a joyful Valentine’s Day! May you find love and community at UU Church of Studio City.

Valentine’s Note: If you want your kids to ditch the candy, have them bring it to church on Sunday and put it in the basket on the chancel (where the pulpit is). It’s where we collect food for our unhoused neighbors. I bet they’d like some Kisses and FunDips. 🙂

Now, onto everything coming up!

Want to take a load off Thursday night? Ping me at (310) 849-5835 and I’ll make sure we have dinner for you!

Thu, Feb 15 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30p - LOVE-style! - In the season of love, we’ll have some special Valentines crafties for kids! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! (Third Thursday dinners will continue monthly through May!)

Sun, Feb 18 - We’re beginning to sing “Come Come, Whoever You Are” as we arrive in our space together and light our chalice. We’re also going to add some yoga to our time together. We're expecting rain, so kids will be in the Fellowship Hall playing games and coloring. We invite older kids (10+) to stay in the sanctuary today since it can get a little hairy with the combo of ages and we'll have a small volunteer staff for the younger ones.

February 8, 2024

Got a kid in 4th-6th Grade? Know someone with a kid 10-12 years old? This is your chance to learn all about Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th graders. 

JOIN US SUN, FEB 11 at 11:30 in the World Room (room 3) at UU Church of Studio City to learn about how OWL can help your kids (and you) as puberty looms in the distance. RSVP/Sign Your Kid Up For OWL Here. Grab the flyer here. 

Thu, Feb 15 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30p - LOVE-style! - In the season of love, we’ll have some special Valentines crafties for kids! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! (Third Thursday dinners will continue monthly through May!)

Sun, Feb 18 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins! - This class requires registration. We'd love to have your kids, your neighbors' kids, your workmate's kids...email me with questions.

January 31, 2024

You didn’t see some of the regular grownups on the playground last week: but you were sure on our minds! 

We were taking a deep dive into Our Whole Lives for 9 to 12-year-olds with aspiring facilitators from across the United States! Our newly minted teachers (Will Rapp, Peter Kooiman, Chris Kirchner and Bonnie Burroughs in the back row ) will join me (front row with the big black glasses) to launch the class in February!

We had a LOT of fun exploring Circles of Sexuality (identity, intimacy, sensuality, sexualization, and health) and what they look like through OWL’s 4th to 6th grade values of respect, responsibility, and relationship). We gained understanding about where kids are at that age, where PARENTS are when their kids are that age, and “what’s religious about sexuality education.”

Now it’s time for you to sign up 9-to-12-year-old and help spread the word, because Our Whole Lives at UU Church of Studio City starts on February 18th and we have a few spots left! Parent Info Session is February 11 at 11:30PM.

Sign Your Kid Up Here. Grab the flyer here. 

Join us on the RE Team! You can help teach kids to cook, bring your creativity to help freshen up our rooms, set up for events, hang out with toddlers on Sunday, become a mentor or teacher, or just buy stuff we need. Please ping me at dre@uustudiocity.org!

OK, on to things that are coming up!

Sun, Feb 11 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade Parent Orientation - if you've got a 4th-6th grader. or anyone you know has one, have them join us to learn about a vital program for emerging teens.

Thu, Feb 15 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30p - LOVE-style! - In the season of love, we’ll have some special Valentines crafties for kids! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! (Third Thursday dinners will continue monthly through May!)

Sun, Feb 18 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins! - This class requires registration. We'd love to have your kids, your neighbors' kids, your workmate's kids...email me with questions.

Month of March - Bring small cans of tuna, fruit, etc. to donate throughout the month. On Easter, we’ll hide them throughout the campus. Kids will collect them in Easter baskets and convert them into special rewards. All food will go to our Tuesday drop-in program for unhoused neighbors.

Save the Date: 

Sun, Mar 31 - Easter! - Join us for our UU Easter, complete with canned food hunt and prizes!

Sat, April 20 - LA River Cleanup! We’ll make our first outing since the pandemic in our yellow Side with Love tees to help clean up the LA River!

Peace and blessings,

Jacki

January 24, 2024

How are you doing in this last (?!) week of January 2024? I’m feeling a little frenetic but have found that morning meditation, reflection, and yoga help with my physical, emotional and spiritual health. Do you have practices that ground you? I’d love to talk with you about your practices and share mine.

We are surrounded by wonderful people who help build Beloved Community within and beyond our walls. One of those folks is Jackie Davis, on our Religious Exploration/Family Programs Committee. And it’s her birthday on January 25th!

When she’s not teaching (day job) or being an awesome mom/partner (second day job), you may find her volunteering for our Tuesday drop-in program for unhoused neighbors. Or maybe you’ll see her on the playground as a Sunday supporter or in the pulpit as a worship associate.

Thank you, Jackie, for sharing your gifts. You are helping make UUCSC stronger within our walls and beyond our playground. And you are changing the world.

Are you ever too old to be dedicated into the community? I don’t think so! If you’re interested in learning more, I’d love to talk with you!

Before we get on to the calendar, did you know that it takes 25% involvement from a congregation to successfully create a multigenerational community? If you're not already involved with supporting the family program, I'd like to ask for your help: it can be teaching kids to cook, setting up for events, hanging out with toddlers, becoming a mentor or teacher, or just buying stuff we need. Please ping me at dre@uustudiocity.org!

OK, on to things that are coming up!

Sun, Jan 24 - Playground opens at 9:30 AM - Barbara Allen, Jackie Davis (the birthday girl), and Sue Kennedy will be on hand. The weather looks like it'll be lovely so we'll be outside, mostly playing.

Sun, Feb 11 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade Parent Orientation - if you've got a 4th-6th grader. or anyone you know has one, have them join us to learn about a vital program for emerging teens.

Thu, Feb 15 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30p - LOVE-style! - In the season of love, we’ll have some special Valentines crafties for kids! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! (Third Thursday dinners will continue monthly through May!)

Sun, Feb 18 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins! - This class requires registration. We'd love to have your kids, your neighbors' kids, your workmate's kids...email me with questions.

Month of March - Bring small cans of tuna, fruit, etc. to donate throughout the month. On Easter, we’ll hide them throughout the campus. Kids will collect them in Easter baskets and convert them into special rewards. All food will go to our Tuesday drop-in program for unhoused neighbors.

Save the Date: 

Sun, Mar 31 - Easter! - Join us for our UU Easter, complete with canned food hunt and prizes!

Sat, April 20 - LA River Cleanup! We’ll make our first outing since the pandemic in our yellow Side with Love tees to help clean up the LA River!

Peace and blessings,

Jacki

January 18, 2024

One of my resolutions for the new year is to celebrate the awesome people who make our UU Studio City community. Let's get started!

Are you ever too old to be dedicated into the community? I don’t think so! If you’re interested in learning more, I’d love to talk with you!

OK, on to things that are coming up!

TONIGHT! Join us for Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend!

Sunday, January 21 & 28, and February 4 & 11, 11:45 to 1:15p  - Starting Point: A class to begin your UU journey - More information and sign up here.

Spread the word! Forward this flyer! ​​

Sun, Feb 11 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade Parent Orientation - if you've got a 4th-6th grader. or anyone you know has one, have them join us to learn about a vital program for emerging teens.

Thu, Feb 15 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30p - LOVE-style! - In the season of love, we’ll have some special Valentines crafties for kids! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend! (Third Thursday dinners will continue monthly through May!)

Sun, Feb 18 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins! - This class requires registration. We'd love to have your kids, your neighbors' kids, your workmate's kids...email me with questions.

Month of March - Bring small cans of tuna, fruit, etc. to donate throughout the month. On Easter, we’ll hide them throughout the campus. Kids will collect them in Easter baskets and convert them into special rewards. All food will go to our Tuesday drop-in program for unhoused neighbors.

Save the Date: 

Sun, Mar 31 - Easter! - Join us for our UU Easter, complete with canned food hunt and prizes!

Sat, April 20 - LA River Cleanup! We’ll make our first outing since the pandemic in our yellow Side with Love tees to help clean up the LA River! 

January 11, 2024

Hi families of all kinds, this weekend we're remembering Civil Rights icon Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. But did you know we have our very own Civil Rights icon here in Los Angeles? 

Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. is widely known as the architect of the nonviolence movement in the United States. He worked closely with Dr. King and was with him the morning of his assassination in 1968. 

Just a few years later, he moved to Los Angeles where he became one of the driving forces behind the workers rights movement here and has helped hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers win dignity and living wages. 

And just today, Rev. Lawson had a mile-long stretch of Adams Boulevard in South LA named after him.

Rev. Lawson turned 95 in 2023. In honor of that day, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (where I spend most of my time) posted a series of tributes that I thought I would share with you. You can read them here!

Wishing you a meaningful weekend of service in love. Read on for upcoming RE Events!

Jacki

Sunday, January 14, 2024 - JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL MORNING CHILD DEDICATION! Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms or christenings, most Unitarian Universalist congregations have child dedication ceremonies for infants and children. Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels will lead the service.  Caregivers will share hopes for their youngest. And the congregation will make a promise to support and nurture these amazing little lights.   Contact Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels if you'd like to include your child on this day or some future Sunday.

Sunday, January 21 & 28, and February 4 & 11, 11:45 to 1:15p  - Starting Point: A class to begin your UU journey - More information and sign up here.

THIRD THURSDAYS ARE BACK! JOIN US January 18, 2024

Thursday January 18, 2024 - Join us for Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30! Parents, you are welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend!

Sunday, February 11, 2024 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th Grade Parent Information Meeting - Join us after service to learn about one of the best children's programs that our UU faith offers: age-appropriate sexuality education that produces more knowledgeable kids, better friends, greater allies in communities, and responsible young people in relationships.

Sundays, February 18, 2024 - Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th Graders! Find out more and sign up here!

Program, Sundays 10a to 1p for kids and 11:30 to 1p for adults

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

Thanks to all of our teachers who are going through training at the end of the month to facilitate the classs!

Signing off for now. Hope to see you Sunday.

Peace and blessings,

Jacki

January 4, 2024

Happy New Year! How did your holidays go? Are you back and ready for 2024? How can UU Studio City help?

It's a new month, that means there's a new Soulful Home on the theme of "liberating love" to help you bring your UU faith to life in your family. Email dre@uustudiocity.org to receive a packet.

I have a request. I need your help in making our first foray into age-appropriate sex ed since the pandemic a success. Would you please share our OWL Spring 2024 flyer far and wide with parents who have 4th-6th graders so we can get a good group of kids for the training?

Also, I wanted to make sure you knew about things coming up:

• Sun, Jan 7 - Barbara and I are on deck and given the weather we'll gather in the Fellowship Hall for playdoh and dancing.

• Sun, Jan 14 - Next weekend we are dedicating Atlas! So excited for this celebration of families!

• Thu, Jan 18 - Third Thursday Fun and Games

• Sun, Jan 21 - Starting Point starts! If you're interested in the spiritual journey that is UU, I encourage you to sign up!

• Sun, Feb 11 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade Parent Orientation - if you've got a 4th-6th grader. or anyone you know has one, have them join us to learn about a vital program for emerging teens.

• Sun, Feb 18 - Our Whole Lives 4th-6th grade begins! - This class requires registration. We'd love to have your kids, your neighbors' kids, your workmate's kids...email me with questions.

12/29/23

We're almost through the holidays and it's been so wonderful to be together. 

On Thursday, December 21 we held a UU Studio City Winter Solstice program and learned about how the axis of the earth and its rotation around the sun makes our days dark. We were reminded to remember the cyclical nature of our existence in so many ways. And then we sang, chanted, danced, kneaded our intentions for the coming season into bread dough, and concluded, knowing the light will return!

On Sunday, December 24 we held our first post-pandemic Holiday Pageant! Whit and Cecilia (pictured above) portrayed Joseph and Mary in the Nativity Story. What a delight to have new and veteran pageant attendees of all ages dressed as wise people and angels, stars and Caesar! 

Upcoming

Sundays, December 31 & January 7- We're gonna stay on the playground, so bundle up your kiddo if the weather demands! In case of rain, we'll be inside the Rainbow Room.

Sunday, January 14, 2024 - JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL MORNING CHILD DEDICATION! Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms or christenings, most Unitarian Universalist congregations have child dedication ceremonies for infants and children. Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels will lead the service.  Caregivers will share hopes for their kids. And the congregation wll make a promise to support and nurture these amazing little lights.   Contact Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels if you'd like to include your child on this day or some future Sunday.

Thursday January 18, 2024 - Join us for Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30! You're welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend!

Sunday, February 11, 2024 - Our Whole Lives Parent Information Meeting - Join us after service to learn about one of the best children's programs that our UU faith offers: age-appropriate sexuality education that produces more knowledgeable kids, better friends, greater allies in communities, and responsible young people in relationships.

Program, Sundays 10a to 1p - Simultaneous 

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

12/21/23

A Winter Blessing - by Rebecca Ann Parker

In the shadowed quiet of winter's light

earth speaks softly

of her longing.

Because the wild places are in tears.

Come, she cries to us.

Kneel down here

on the frosty grass,

and feel the prayer buried in the ground.

Bend your ear to my heart

and listen hard.

Love this world, she whispers.

Distill peace from the snow

and water the cities

with mercy.

Weave wonder from the forest

and clothe grief

with beauty.

Rest in the rhythm of the turning year,

Trace the bending arc

Rounding the curve toward justice.

And vow anew to do no harm.

A vibrantly orange and crimson sky, at sunset, with the silhouette of an evergreen tree in front of it.

The winter trees stand watch

haloed in the last gleams of the slanting sun.

Glory sings here.

Heaven echoes the call:

Repeat the sounding joy.

Make your life an answer:

Bow.

Praise.

Rise.

JOIN US!

Sundays, December 31 & January 7- We're gonna stay on the playground, so bundle up your kiddo if the weather demands! In case of rain, we'll be inside the Rainbow Room.

Sunday, January 14, 2024 - JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL MORNING CHILD DEDICATION! Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms or christenings, most Unitarian Universalist congregations have child dedication ceremonies for infants and children. Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels will lead the service.  Caregivers will share hopes for their kids. And the congregation wll make a promise to support and nurture these amazing little lights.   Contact Rev. Hoyt-McDaniels if you'd like to include your child on this day or some future Sunday.

Thursday January 18, 2024 - Join us for Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30! You're welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend!

Sunday, February 11, 2024 - Our Whole Lives Parent Information Meeting - Join us after service to learn about one of the best children's programs that our UU faith offers: age-appropriate sexuality education that produces more knowledgeable kids, better friends, greater allies in communities, and responsible young people in relationships.

OUR WHOLE LIVES FOR 4th-6th Graders Begins in February! 

Save the dates

• Feb 11 -  Parent info session at 11:30, location TBD

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information and to sign your kid up!

12/14/23

It's on! Happy Holidays, everyone! So much great stuff going on at UUCSC in coming weeks. I'll get right to it. Oh, wait. I need to express some gratitude for amazing people who've gone above and beyond with our kids so far this year. So much love to founding RE Committee Members Bonnie Burroughs, Jackie Davis and Chris Kirchner, who have been meeting and scheming and helping to implement all the things we've done so far. And special thanks to Vickie Vining, who helped launch our Third Thursdays Dinner and Game Night for families in September. May double blessings be heaped upon you this season. 🩷🩷 

JOIN US!

Sunday, December 17 - We're gonna stay on the playground, so bundle up your kiddo if the weather demands!

Thursday, December 21- Join us for our Winter Solstice Celebration! We'll celebrate the shortest night of the year with ritual, song, baking, and hot cider!

JOIN US!

Sundays, December 31 & January 7- We're gonna stay on the playground, so bundle up your kiddo if the weather demands! In case of rain, we'll be inside the Rainbow Room.

Sunday, January 14, 2024 - JOIN US FOR A VERY SPECIAL MORNING CHILD DEDICATION! Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms or christenings, most Unitarian Universalist congregations have child dedication ceremonies for infants and children. Atlas and Leif, will be among the kids who will be blessed by Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels. Caregivers will share hopes for their kids. And the congregation wll make a promise to support and nurture these amazing little lights. 

Sunday, February 11, 2024 - Our Whole Lives Parent Information Meeting - Join us after service to learn about one of the best children's programs that our UU faith offers: age-appropriate sexuality education that produces more knowledgeable kids, better friends, greater allies in communities, and responsible young people in relationships.

OUR WHOLE LIVES FOR 4th-6th Graders Begins in February! 

Save the dates (tentative):

• Feb 11 -  Parent info session at 11:30, location TBD

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information and to sign your kid up!

OK, I think that about sums it up. Thank you for sharing your kids with this community!

Peace and blessings,

Jacki

12/5/23

Hello UUCSC Community!  Oh, did we celebrate the holiday season on Saturday! We were honored to host our local Studio City Buy Nothing Group for a Buy Nothing Holiday Bazaar. More than 50 community members turned out to share their gently used items and receive others as gifts. What a wonderful way to simplify the holidays, reduce the amount of home goods going into landfills, and help neighbors reframe Christmas at the same time!

Chris Kirchner came as one of Santa's elves and led a cookie tin decorating activity. Kids decorated and then filled their tins with a variety of sweets provided by UUCSC members. Everyone enjoyed hot cocoa and browsing the offerings. 

SO FUN!!! Thanks to all who baked, set up, cleaned up, brought stuff, and took stuff home!

UPDATES

Sundays, December 10 & 17 - We're gonna stay on the playground as long as possible, so bundle up your kiddo when you come to church on Sunday. This Sunday, we'll start making holiday ornaments to mark this time in your family's life.

Thursday, December 21 - 5:30 PM - Will you be in town? We'll be celebrating the Winter Solstice and making intentions for the coming season. There will be ritual, song, "bread making" and hot cider. Please come and feel free to invite friends.

Sunday, December 24, 10 AM - Will you be in town? We'll be hosting an all ages nativity pageant - no rehearsal, all fun, telling the magical story of welcoming a child into the world. 

Sunday, December 31, 2023 and beyond - We'll continue to keep Sundays loose until we start Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th graders in February!

OUR WHOLE LIVES FOR 4th-6th Graders Begins in February! 

Save the dates (tentative):

• Feb 11 -  Parent info session at 11:30, location TBD

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information and to sign your kid up!

11/30/23

Hello UUCSC Community!  Gosh, our kids have been having a good time on Sunday mornings. In addition to the usual mayhem on the playground, last weekend they got to help make banana bread in the sanctuary! 

It's a busy time, so I'll keep this brief. Your latest Soulful Home packet has gone out: it's on the theme of Mystery. Soulful Home gives you ideas as caregivers on how to incorporate the sacred into everyday life. If you need me to resend, email dre@uustudiocity.org.

UPDATES

Sundays, December 3, 10, 17 - We're gonna stay on the playground as long as possible, so bundle up your kiddo when you come to church on Sunday. This Sunday, we'll start making holiday ornaments to mark this time in your family's life.

Thursday, December 21 - 5:30 PM - Will you be in town? We'll be celebrating the Winter Solstice and making intentions for the coming season. There will be ritual, song, "bread making" and hot cider. Please come and feel free to invite friends.

Sunday, December 24, 10 AM - Will you be in town? We'll be hosting an all ages nativity pageant - no rehearsal, all fun, telling the magical story of welcoming a child into the world. 

Sunday, December 31, 2023 and beyond - We'll continue to keep Sundays loose until we start Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th graders in February!

SPEAKING OF WHICH, WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE OUR WHOLE LIVES, BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY! 

Save the dates (tentative):

• Feb 4 -  Parent info session at 11:30 in the World Room

• Feb 18 - Sessions 1 & 2

• March 3- Sessions 3 & 4 

• March 17  - Sessions 5 & 6

• April 14 - Sessions 7 & 8

• April 28 - Sessions 9 & 10 + party

Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information and to sign your kid up!

November 18, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community!

I hope you'll mark your calendar for the following goings on at UUCSC:

COMING UP

Save the date for Saturday, Dec 2, time TBD - UUCSC’s first Buy Nothing Holiday Bazaar. We’re partnering with the Studio City Buy Nothing to welcome families from across the city to our campus for a gifting festival. Stay tuned for more information.

If you’d like to be on the hosting committee, helping to imagine and bring to life ways to welcome folks to UU Church of Studio City, I’d love your help. Maybe you’d like to make vats of hot cocoa, conceive a marshmallow snow person craft, or provide some music entertainment? Email me!

STARTING POINT

Our Newest Adult Religious Exploration Offering

January 21 & 28, February 4 & 11, 2024
Facilitators: Reid Swanson & Rochelle Lamm.

Starting Point is a 4-class, interactive and participatory adult learning program that will convene for 90 minutes on 4 successive weeks at 11:45 AM, following Sunday Service in the World Room.  More information

SUNDAYS AT UUCSC

The playground is open at 9:30 and remains open until 12:15 with adult supervision. Bonnie and Jenny will be on deck this weekend. Join us in the sanctuary for service starting at 10:00. After a children’s message, we’ll head outside.

SUPPORT FAMILY PROGRAMMING

Pick up some items from our Amazon Wishlist.  It changes every week. You can spend $10 to $100 on whatever’s interesting to you. Pick up books, picnic tables, or playthings. Thank you!

If you have not signed your family up for UUCSC’s weekly “LEAF News” (Learning, Exploring, and Affirming Families) please sign up here!

OUR WHOLE LIVES (OWL)
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is sexuality education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior.

Learn more: Become an OWL Facilitator! Training opportunity Jan 26-28, 2024

Peace,
Jacki

November 7, 2023

I'm writing early this week because I'm off to go backpacking for a couple days tomorrow morning. I hope you are able to find rest this weekend no matter where you are.

Nov 12, 2023 - Second Sunday Sandwiches are happening during service. The sandwich makers would love to see your small folk. We'll be on the playground for the younger ones, continuing our leaf placemats.

Nov 16, 2023 - Join us for Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30! You're welcome to come and put your feet up. We'll cook and do the dishes and have games out for playin' until 7. Also, feel free to bring a friend!

Are you interested in K-1 or 4th-6th grade Our Whole Lives in the spring? I'm taking a poll. This is a great opportunity to bring other families into the community. Believe me when I tell you every kid needs this program. 

Are you interested in an Earth Day service project April 20, 2024? Mark your calendar!

I'm starting to plan spring now and would love your input!

More things to ponder -- let's talk!

• Dec 2 - Buy Nothing Holiday Bazaar at 11:30 - UUCSC is hosting the Studio City Buy Nothing groups. We'll be providing music, refreshments, and fun to complement their gifting event. Visit their Facebook pages for more information!

• Dec 21 - Solstice Gathering at 5:30 - families will get to learn about and experience the "turning of the wheel" with ritual, song, creativity, and hot cider!

• Dec 24 - Christmas Eve Holiday Service at 10 AM - An all ages affair that will be super family friendly. 

• Jan 21 and 28, Feb 4 & 11, 2024 - Starting Point at 11:45 - An experiential introduction to the UU journey. (Light lunch and childcare provided.)

• Feb 16-19, 2024 - Elementary Family Camp! - This is an awesome time to play in the snow with your kids and other UU families from across Southern California. I raised my kids at camp. They're better for it. It's SUPER fantastic (and reasonably priced). Lodging, programming, and meals are included. More info at www.uucamp.org.

Talk soon.

Peace and blessings,

Jacki