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Religious Exploration Ministry
What’s been going on in RE lately:
- Notice all of the beautiful, kid-created crafts decorating the UURCT building these days!
- Check out the nursery-playroom remodel when you get a chance. It’s now a fun and welcoming space for babies and toddlers! Next on the agenda is a sound system upgrade so the talks in the sanctuary can be clearly heard by adults attending little ones
while they play.
- Mrs. Bernie, Alan, Hollis, and other helpful volunteers have been hard at work transforming an outdoor space for kids and adults to enjoy together.
- The children have been relishing lots of outdoor play of late during coffee hour:
bubbles, badminton, and an upcoming water-play day!
- For older children, RE Soul Matters lessons are wrapping up for the year. There will be a summer break with curriculum resuming when school starts up again in September. Recent lessons include “We are made of many roots” (pluralism), “No one gets left out” (friendship and inclusion), and books,crafts, and conversation to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride month.
During the summer months when RE is on break, children are invited to enjoy the playroom, outside toys, plethora of indoor games, arts and crafts with their adult’s help to tidy up.
--Michelle DiLorenzo, RE Chair
A Huge THANK YOU to RE Teacher Bernadette McGinn
In late summer last year, when we asked for a volunteer to teach RE to our children, Bernadette raised her hand. Week in, week out she has diligently prepared the curriculum and teaching materials to be ready on Sundays to provide enriching, thoughtful lessons. And to our RE helpers who assist Bernadette: Keith Jordan, Hollis Kellogg, Jan Kinney, Diana Krautter and Nora Hammond-Gallardo And to the RE Ministry, Michelle DiLorenzo, who stepped up to be RE Chair, Sue Ann Peck, Diana Krautter, Linda Mangelsdorf and Jim Tarvin who helped develop the program, and iron out any glitches as they came up to ensure the smooth running of the program. Our congregation is so very grateful for the commitment of these members and Friends to RE this year.
-Nan Dempster, VP Board
Quite a Quiet Room Re-do!
Many thanks are due to the DiLorenzo family for the remodel of the quiet room. Be sure to poke your nose in to admire the spaciousness due to the more appropriately sized furnishings. The hope is that this space will be welcoming to any newcomers. We are so grateful for the time and effort that Stephen and Michelle, with the help of June and Emmet, have given to us at the UUCRT.
Soul Matters will take the summer off and reconvene in September.
Please let Rev. Diane know if you are interested in joining the 2024-2025 group.
Rev. Diane Diachishin to Offer Pastoral Care
available to offer pastoral care for people who are struggling with loss, grief, or other challenges. Pastoral care differs from therapy or counseling in that it does not attempt to fix problems or address mental health issues. Rather, it provides a loving, accepting, hopeful presence, and, in doing so, makes it easier for people to get in touch with their own inner wisdom and strength. Most of all, pastoral care is simply being
present
for you. It brings the love and care of our entire congregation to those in need.
You can contact Rev. Diane to inquire about pastoral care using this link: https://forms.gle/
An informal group of UUCRT hikers meets monthly at different venues to talk the walk and walk the talk. Here are Charlie, Marcia, Jan, Sueann, Rose, Bill, Etty and Patrick at
Algonquin Park in Newburgh. Interested? Contact Jan or Rose.
News from the UUCRT Caring Ministry
What we do! The Caring Ministry provides short-term, physical help to individuals and families within our congregation who are in need. While we cannot offer emergency or ongoing services, we can offer our collective love through support with:
-short term meals
-rides for medical appointments
-check-ins / for those who feel isolated
-cards for celebrations as well as hardships
-connection for those going through a difficult time
Because it is sometimes difficult to ask for help, the Caring Ministry relies upon our entire congregation to identify and communicate the needs of our parishioners. We work with Rev. Diane in confidence, to coordinate care.
If you, or if you know of anyone needing help, please reach out to Linda Manglesdorf or Rev. Diane, please contact: aa.uucrt@gmail.com or info.uucrt@gmail.com
