August and September are very busy months, behind the scenes, in the life of a church community. A huge hug to all those who have volunteered this year as Leaders in the Religious Exploration program. There are mothers, and fathers, and aunts, and those without children in the program. You are all so valuable, and we couldn’t do it without you! We are still looking for assistants – those who use their helping hands in an RE room a few Sundays a year – and need help in other areas too. Click on “Stewardship” on the RE Programs & News page of the church website for a variety of options.
It appears October will be a busy month as well! At the beginning of the month I will travel to Regina to attend my first Western Region Fall Gathering (WRFG). I’m happy to travel with some of our youth and their advisor, Jim Gardiner, who will attend a WRFG youth conference. This is a fun group! Later in the month, I’ll travel to Boston, and Providence, Rhode Island. Rev. Dr. Peter Steinke and the Rev. Dr. Thankdeka are the keynote speakers at the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA)’s annual fall conference in Providence. Some of the Canadian religious educators are taking the close proximity to Boston as an opportunity to visit some of the most significant sites of the U*U, abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements (beginning with staying at the UUA’s Eliot & Pickett Houses).
I am honoured to have opportunities to represent our congregation within the denomination. I found the LREDA conference to be extremely valuable last year, and made many collegial connections, from across the continent. Jennifer Dickson, the Executive Director of the CUC, will attend the conference this year, and Canadians will have an opportunity to meet with her in Providence.
On October 18th, I will lead a children’s Worship Circle, and will then be a guest speaker in the Junior Youth Group. It may appear that I am not in the church this month! Rest assured I am working, even when you don’t see me reading a story at the beginning of a service.
Similarly, there are folks in our community who you may not see in the sanctuary. You might miss them, and wonder if they’ve been away. This year RE Leaders have a choice about whether they prefer to volunteer several weeks in a row, or one Sunday at a time. Regardless, there are times when they might seem to disappear. Rest assured they are still coming to church, still part of the beloved community! Soon their photos will be posted so that the rest of us know who is working with our children and youth. We will also be aware that these treasured RE Leaders are very much a part of the life of the church.
Since you won’ t see as much of me this month, please remember that you are welcome to contact me at 474-1261 or
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.
Warmly,
Andrea James
Director of Religious Exploration
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