5/23/23

• This Week: This week we will be a multigenerational, participatory service with everyone joining together to create collectively. In addition to several all ages activities throughout the service, Genevieve will be at the busy hands table making instruments for one of our activities. There will be a time of creative sharing so if any children or youth want to show off something they’ve created, please feel free to bring it with you to the service!
• Coming of Age: Coming of Age will be moving forward with double lessons to try to finish the curriculum before getting to far into the summer, therefore lessons will be extended until 12:30. We will meet at our regular time starting at 11:15 in the youth room, please check your emails for the lesson plans and more information.
• Call for Talent: In keeping with May’s theme of creativity, Genevieve would like to extend an invitation to all children and youth to share their talents during the Time For All Ages should they wish to participate. This could take many forms including acting, dancing, singing, or other ways to share your talents with the congregation. Please contact Genevieve for more information.
• Listening Session: Genevieve is looking to host a listening session for children, youth and parents at the end of June to reflect on last year and begin to plan programming for the upcoming fall. Parents and Youth should check their email for more information, or email Genevieve at re@jruuc.org with any questions or comments.
• Bulletin Board: In addition to the website and weekly emails, you will also be able to find up to date information about RE on the rainbow bulletin board in the hallway outside the RE/Music office. There you will find information for where children and youth will be spending time that week as well as any upcoming events.
• Art Supplies Wanted: RE is always looking for donations of art and craft supplies, including but not limited to, magazines, egg cartons, markers, paint, glue, ect. A list of other requested supplies can be found on the RE Bulliten Board.

2/23/23 – From Reeb member Virginia Harrison:

Bayside UU Family Camp

Looking for a great summer experience? Join us at Bayside UU Family Camp held at Lutherdale Camp on the shores of Lauderdale Lakes in Elkhorn, WI. This year, camp will take place July 2nd to 8th. This special week includes adult workshops, activities for children, free time for family fun and relaxation, and intergenerational activities. For more information, talk to longtime Bayside camper (and Reeb member) Virginia Harrison, visit our website at baysideuu.org  or contact baysideuu@gmail.com.

More about Religious Education for Children and Youth

[9/28/22 – A letter from former DRE Mandy]

Personally, I’d like to take a moment to speak directly to the congregation, whether I’ve gotten the privilege of working closely with you or not. I’ve spent three years at Reeb, and those years have been quite a doozy. After all, seven months after I was hired the world shut down with a once in a hundred year pandemic. We moved everything: worship; RE; even Caring Tree activities; online. We had to learn how to be together without being together, and that was hard. 

But we learned, and grew, and I’m proud to say that we accomplished much during that difficult time. We held an OWL class in person, in a tent outdoors, when nearly no other churches had reinstated this program yet. We held monthly in-person gatherings including an egg-hunt, a Halloween Trunk or Treat, and visited local cultural staples like the Chazen Museum where we could talk about social justice and Madison’s history of welcoming (or not) marginalized people. We did these things while masked and keeping our distance. 

Three years has been a long time for my family. The six month old I had when I was hired is now learning her letters and begging us to let her join her sisters in Tae Kwon Do. My second oldest has gone from Pre-K to 2nd grade and has grown into herself in what I think is an inspiring journey of awareness and confidence. My oldest, who is frequently with me at church, has begun to ask the big questions and has found many answers listening to worship from the Busy Hands table. 

However, a new opportunity has fallen into my lap, and I’m excited to see how it will feed my creativity and challenge me. Near the end of October, I will leave Reeb and begin working full time for Sun Prairie Neighbor Magazine. I’ll get to flex my writing skills and have my own bylines. 

I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity Reeb gave me when I was new to the area and searching for something that was mine. It has been my pleasure to get to know you these three years, and I genuinely wish the best for you and Reeb as a whole as I transition out of my role as D.R.E. and into my position as magazine editor.