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.

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

November 1, 2023

There is so much happening "out there" in the world. It can be incredibly overwhelming as a parent. And as you balance "out there" with family life, work, and all the activities, it might just feel like collapse is imminent. 

I'm not saying this is you. I'm saying it was for sure me as I navigated war and mass shootings and Halloween and holidays through my years of parenting smaller kids as a full-time-working-single-at-times parent.

So I just want to let you know that if you ARE overwhelmed, you are not alone. UUCSC and I are here to support you.

I want to share a couple resources with you from colleagues across the country, if you'll oblige. One is an article on talking with kids about the violence in Israel and Gaza. The other is about talking with kids about mass shootings.

If you'd like to connect to get some support as a parent (even if it's about what to do with all that Halloween candy you got, please feel free to drop a line.

I hope to see you Sunday, or another time soon.

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

• Nov 16 - Third Thursday Dinner and Games at 5:30 - Take a load off, let us cook for you, and have some fun playing games and crafting gift tags!

• 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. 

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

Talking to Kids about the Violence in Israel and Gaza - Morgan Patten (Columbus, OH)

We won't be talking about the violence in Israel and Gaza during RE, unless a child brings it up. However, I know that many of us parents are navigating discussions with our own children. I have compiled some suggestions, in case you are looking for resources during this time.

Use UU values to frame a conversation. As UUs, we believe that all life is sacred and worthy of protection. We are also a hopeful people. We don't believe in eternal suffering, and even when peace seems impossible, we can still hope and work for it.

Be proactive. Children and youth will likely hear about the violence from classmates or snippets of the news. Consider initiating a discussion, rather than waiting for them to talk to you.

Ask about what they know and share basic information. With my own children, I find using very simple terms can help. For example, "both Israelis and Palestinians want to be able to live on the same land."

Validate their feelings. Children and youth may be sad, worried, or angry. All of our feelings are normal, and helping young people name and express their feelings is important.

I found this article from UC Berkeley to be helpful. You can also take a look at this statement from UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt.

Talking about Mass Shootings - This is a resource from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. 

Always feel free to reach out if you want to connect.

Peace and blessing,

Jacki

October 27, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community! Are you ready to celebrate the time of year when the veil between the living and the departed is said to be the thinnest? Read about Halloween’s Ritual Roots on UUWorld.org or read on to learn about our own family’s rituals!

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

Third Thursday Fun & Games, Nov. 16 - Harvest Edition- In olden days at harvest times, folks would celebrate a bounty of ripe crops, animals, and fish to eat. At this month’s Third Thursday dinner, we’ll celebrate our blessings sharing what we’re thankful for. And we’ll begin to prepare for gifting season! In addition to spaghetti, salad, and desert for all kinds of diets, we’ll have a craft station to make creative gift tags! We’ll also have games for kids of all ages. This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

Winter Solstice Celebration, Dec 21 5:30p - We’ll gather on the shortest night of year, exploring ancient rituals to call back the light and celebrate another turning of the wheel. All agest are welcome!

Christmas Eve, Family Service - December 24, 10 AM - This will be an all ages celebration that honors our Judeo-Christian roots and celebrates the many wise teachers who’ve brought light to the world.

SUNDAYS AT UUCSC

The playground is open at 9:30 and remains open until 12:15 with adult supervision. Jacki and Chris will be on deck this weekend! Join us in the sanctuary for service starting at 10. 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!

Peace,

Jacki 

October 20, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community! Just like that...Atlas Turned 1! 

Third Thursday Fun & Games, Nov. 16 - Harvest Edition- In olden days at harvest times, folks would celebrate a bounty of ripe crops, animals, and fish to eat. At this month’s Third Thursday dinner, we’ll celebrate our blessings sharing what we’re thankful for. And we’ll begin to prepare for gifting season! In addition to spaghetti, salad, and desert for all kinds of diets, we’ll have a craft station to make creative gift tags! We’ll also have games for kids of all ages. This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

Saturday, Dec 2, time 11 AM - 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 imagine and bring to life ways to welcome folks to UU Church of Studio City, I’d love your help. Maybe you’re down to make vats of hot cocoa, conceive a marshmallow snow person craft, or provide some music entertainment? Email me!

SUNDAYS AT UUCSC

The playground is open at 9:30 and remains open until 12:15 with adult supervision. Jacki and Barbara will be on deck this weekend! Join us in the sanctuary for service starting at 10. 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!

Peace,

Jacki 

October 12, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community! 

I’m off at the UU Lifespan Religious Education Directors Association Fall Conference this week. Jenny and Bonnie are going to be on-hand to welcome your littles for fun, play, and connection. Hope you have a wonderful time and I will look forward to seeing you Thursday for a “spooktacular” Third Thursday Fun and Games! Please let me know if you’ll be joining! (Email dre@uusm.org or text me at 310-849-5835.) 

October 5, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community! Second Summer has begun...and Halloween is just around the corner!

Second summer has begun. It’ll be a beautiful weekend for the kids to play outside after the children’s message. We’ll be singing, sharing, snacking, and exploring each person’s beautiful uniqueness through drawing!

THIRD THURSDAY FUN & GAMES, OCT 19 - HALLOWEEN EDITION

Kids and caregivers are welcome to come in costume for this month’s Third Thursday dinner. In addition to spaghetti, salad, and desert for all kinds of diets, we’ll have a photo wall to capture your littles in costume! We’ll also have games for kids of all ages. This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

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

SUNDAYS AT UUCSC

The playground is open at 9:30am and remains open until 12:15pm with adult supervision. Jacki and Barbara will be on deck this weekend. Join us in the sanctuary for service starting at 10am. 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!

Peace,

Jacki 

September 27, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community! Here come the holidays...

Thanksgiving in my family of origin was not a great experience.  And I’m not a particular fan of Christmas. When I had a family of my own and could call the shots, I made it a family tradition to opt out of as much of it as I could. We spent Thanksgivings at Camp de Benneville Pines, far away from family drama and consumer culture. Above is a photo of us from 2016. 😊

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve recognized more and more the importance of making memories together in strengthening family relationships. And as I work in this congregation it’s my hope that I can support families here in focusing on what will matter 10 and 20 years from now: richer bonds, big hearts, and good times.

One of the first things I’d love for you to do is 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 imagine and bring to life ways to welcome folks to UU Church of Studio City, I’d love your help. Maybe you’re down to make vats of hot cocoa, conceive a marshmallow snow person craft, or provide some musical entertainment? Email me! 

Sundays at UUCSC

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

What’s the first word that pops into your mind when you hear the word, “ancestors”? 

In this month’s Soulful Home packet, we’ll be exploring the Gifts of Heritage. 

What part of the past before you were born are you most curious about? If you could travel back in time to meet a historical figure, who would you visit? We’ll ask questions like these at the dinner table.

We’ll explore the history of corn, make our own corn husk dolls and learn the Cherokee story of why corn husk dolls don’t have faces. 

Want to receive a monthly Soulful Home packet? sign up here! 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIRD THURSDAY FUN & GAMES, OCT 19 & NOV 15!

This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

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!

Peace,

Jacki 

September 22, 2023

Hello UUCSC Community!

THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE THIRD THURSDAY FUN AND GAMES A SUCCESS, GROWNUPS AND KIDS ALIKE!

Mark your calendars for Thursdays, October 19th and November 15th. This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

Wow, did we have fun on Thursday night. There was play dough. Trucks. Climbing pads. Cat Taco Goat Cheese Pizza (if y’know y’know). Spaghetti for every dietary need. And fresh-baked cookies!

We accomplished just what we wanted. Parents got a break. Kids and adults got to play together. We laughed A LOT and had great conversations. SUCH GREAT STUFF we can’t wait to do it again!.

Deep gratitude to Vickie Vining, Aviva Heston, Jenny Ashe, Kirk and Steffi Prather, Judy Leslie, Cindy Lee, Babu Shankar, Lesley Eringer, Terry Hassman-Paulin, and Gene Paulin, along with everyone who generously donated to make our inaugural event such a success!

Sundays at UUCSC

We continue to hang out in the play area and the garden and to explore the importance of roots. This weekend we’ll be exploring the roots and fruits of actual metaphorical trees.

SOULFUL HOME

Earlier this month, we debuted Soulful Home, a curriculum from our UU friends at Soul Matters Sharing Circle. This month, families are invited to explore the concept of Welcome.

Thanks to the generosity of program boosters, we have a copy of “Room on the Broom” available for check out. It’s a sweet read whose theme of welcome ushers in the season of Halloween!

Drop me a line if you’d like to borrow the book. If you already have it, consider using it as an opportunity to start a conversation afterward. 

Ask your kid(s): 

• What’s it like to be welcomed the way the characters in the book were?

• How could the story have turned out differently if the main characters didn’t welcome the strangers they encountered?

• If you had a friendship bench like the broom in the story, who would be on it? Who else might you welcome onto it?

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!

Peace,

Jacki 

September 16, 2023
Hello UUCSC Community!

We had a great time with the Water Communion last Sunday. We followed it up with Everybody’s Birthday Party! There was lots of singing, joy, and cake!

CALLING ALL FAMILIES! JOIN US FOR OUR VERY FIRST

THIRD THURSDAY DINNER AND GAMES, Thursday, September 21, 2023

This is a great opportunity to introduce new friends to UU Studio City! RSVP by email to dre@uusm.org if you can!

SUNDAYS AT UUCSC

We’re beginning to explore UU History with our kids through the month of October. We’re going to explore the notion of roots that ground us and are invisible to the eye. We’ll be playing games that explore our roots. We’ll start telling stories using props (so make sure to check out our Amazon wishlist) and we’ll start creating things that kids might bring home to talk with you about.

BEYOND UUCSC

• Our Whole Lives for 4th-6th graders in Santa Monica and 8th-9th Graders in Pasadena- BEST CLASS EVER.  Want to help your kid be an awesome young person/ally? Join kids from sister UU Congregations and set your kid up for success. Seriously, it’s the best class ever.

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!

• Become a Family Ambassador: Welcome families to services, hang out with us on the playground, in the garden, or in a classroom. Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more info.

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

Peace,

Jacki