Happy 2022! This January, our monthly theme is Living with Intention. I found these words worth considering as we begin again together:

“With goals, the future is always the focus: Are you going to reach the goal? Will you be happy when you do? What’s next? Setting intention, at least according to Buddhist teachings, is quite different than goal making. It is not oriented toward a future outcome. Instead, it is a path or practice that is focused on how you are “being” in the present moment… Goals help you make your place in the world and be an effective person. But being grounded in intention is what provides integrity and unity in your life… What would it be like if you didn’t measure the success of your life just by what you get and don’t get, but gave equal or greater priority to how aligned you are with your deepest values?” Phillip Moffitt (an excerpt from https://dharmawisdom.org/the-hearts-intention/)

…I am here for you, just an email or a phone call away. I am currently holding office hours in-person at UUFM on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. I will continue to do my best to serve as a resource to our community, through connecting you to one another and of course, directly. Being a light in the lives of others is as important as ever, and I hope you will stay connected.

Macey Forsyth

Please consider joining our private Facebook group: UUFM Children’s Faith Development (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404655806251029/). This group is intended for families and congregants who are involved in Children’s Faith Development. My approval of new members’ access to the information there is what makes the group a safe space for sharing. I will be sharing our weekly stories as Facebook videos on my personal page publicly and sharing them in the group, as well as short prayers and meditations.

Link to the stories: Our virtual Stories for All Ages are now available on the UUFM YouTube Channel. At least one new story will be available by Sunday, each week.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwWkbABO6HpDlw5Po2TdQA?view_as=subscriber

This month’s dates:

Youth Group

• Wednesday, January 19th, 6:30-8pm in-person (pending approval)

In February, we will do our best to begin to offer more in-person options on Sundays for the youth. I am hopeful to get more folks involved by then, as we get a sense of who is back in-person.

Children’s Chapel

• Sunday, January 16th, 10:15-11:10am* in-person (pending approval)
• Sunday, January 23rd, 10:15-11:10am* in-person (pending approval)

*Please note that our plan for Children’s Chapel is to hold it at the beginning of worship, with the tale for all ages being read later in the service now. A big reason that we chose to do this is because we imagine it will make for a more smooth transition out of the building at the conclusion of worship. (No coffee hour for a while still.)

What else is to come…

By February, I plan to have an Our Whole Lives program available to 7-9 and 10-12 grade youth in-person, as well. Please keep an eye out for more updates on that. I am in need of some additional co-facilitators in the coming months as we prepare to re-open more fully. Send an email to cfddirector@uumankato.org if you may be able and willing to help! Thank you.