RE at Home
May 31, 2020 Edition
Greetings RE Families
This past week the news has been filled with horrific stories about racism in our country. I am devoting this edition of RE at Home to resources, stories, tools and tips to help discuss racism with your children and in your homes.
I also want to let families know about how this summer is going to look in RE. We are teaming up with UU congregations across the country to form a shared "UU Camp Collective". This programming should start in July and will have classes and activities for all age groups, including parents, during the week. The "RE at Home" editions will continue to come out each Sunday all summer long as well. In addition to these offerings, we also have a special live Zoom lesson on kindness featuring a storytime with a drag queen. In July, there is also a weekend family UU camp that can be done at your home. Register now for $25.00 and supplies will be shipped to your house along with all that you need to have a fun family UU campout in your own yard or house. See flyers for both of these events at the bottom of newsletter.
Warmly,
Sarah Skaar
Director of Religious Education
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Of Waynesboro
Chalice Lighting
"We light this chalice for the light of truth.
We light this chalice for the warmth of love.
We light this chalice for the energy of action."
∼ Mary Anne Moore
Podcast for Parents (20 minutes long)
This is a short podcast by NPR and Sesame Street that goes into how to talk to young children about race.
Talking about race with kids---Acknowledging & Celebrating Racial Diversity
Here is a book read aloud called "We're Different, We're the Same"
Live Story Time, Tuesday June 2nd at 10:30am
Click on the link to hear an online storytime (description below)
Racism thrives in silence. So, let's talk about it and let's start with books that introduce concepts children can understand and that help adults have necessary conversations with some of the most important people in our lives - our next generation.
This week we will share three of the most fundamental texts for children in beginning to address race, privilege, power, and injustice. Please join us right here on our facebook page.
"Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice" Marianne Celano, Ann Hazzard and Jennifer Zivion. "Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives." 4 - 8 years
"Why Are They Kneeling?" Lauren J Coleman and Bryan Brown. "Kendrick thinks this Sunday will be like any other Sunday but is in for a surprise when he notices some of his favorite football players take a knee during our National Anthem. Kendrick finds the courage to ask a question and his family and friends find the courage to answer it."
" Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness (Ordinary Terrible Things)" Anastasia Higginbotham. "picture book about racism and racial justice, inviting white children and parents to become curious about racism, accept that it's real, and cultivate justice." 8 - 12 years
Song--"I Love My Hair"
Coloring Sheet
May 31 is the FAMILY DAY OF ACTION
Due to the pandemic, and in order to maintain safety and social distancing, the Day of Action will occur in our neighborhoods, on our own blocks. We are asking PCM families to get the word out and organize actions on their blocks to spark conversations with children and amongst neighbors. You can speak out about the disproportionate number of Black and Brown lives lost to Covid 19, the ways in which People of Color (Black, Brown, Asian) are treated in public spaces, and/or the recent shootings.
1. Sidewalk chalk- talk with children and neighbors and create some messaging for everyone who walks by. What do you want them to know and do right now?
2. Sign-making- in the spirit of PCM, invite children and neighbors to make signs, drawings, or banners and post them for the community to see.
3. Toy Protest- use the small signs in the J&J Kits or create your own with tape and small pieces of paper. Have your stuffies, action figures, and dolls speak out about what needs to change.
4. Candlelight Vigil- at 8pm on Sunday May 31, please light a candle (or several) for the lives impacted and lost to the pandemic, racism, and white supremacy. Spend some time in your window, on your front steps, porch, or sidewalk- talking (at least 8 feet apart!) with other neighbors and other families.
Please snap some photos & videos to post and share to be compiled by PCM. If you need materials, please reach out.
Use the hashtags:
#phillychildrensmovment
#PhillyFamilies4Justice
#BlackLivesMatter
We will combine contributed images into a PCM video to be shared.
These mini-actions are designed to get you to:
1. Let our community know these harms and losses are real, felt, and mourned.
2. Take time to talk with your children about the racial injustices that continue to happen.
3. Talk with your neighbors about what you all will do to work for change.
4. Speak out while staying safe.
(taken from the PCM post on facebook)
Extinguishing the Chalice
Read these words as you blow out your candle:
We extinguish this chalice today in honor of the Unitarian Universalist First Principle: To affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
We recognize that these are not just words to be spoken; instead, they call us out of our comfort into an ever-deepening commitment:
a commitment we make to the rights of all whose inherent worth and dignity are denied, diminished, or destroyed by systems of oppression. And they call us into the practice of looking into our own hearts, with courage and honesty.
(*I changed the word from the original "light" to to the word "extinguish")