CDF Director’s Corner 11.24.21

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“It’s not forgetting that heals. It’s remembering.”
– Amy Greene

As we conclude the month of Holding History in the coming week, many of us recognize and hold traditions for Thanksgiving. I hope the coming days of taking time to slow down and perhaps gathering among family find you nourished and well.

While many grew up with a sanitized and simplified version of the origin story of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to include more authentic information and Indigenous perspectives of this tradition. Truth-telling, especially to our younger generations, matters and builds trust. There is a place for both conversations on the reality of our history, to tell of the violence, and the lighter side of this holiday, to name what we are grateful for.

There is an abundance of resources online for those who may want to brush up or dig deeper. One resource I discovered and look forward to sharing this year is a Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address:

https://americanindian.si.edu/environment/pdf/01_02_Thanksgiving_Address.pdf

…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

One last November date – Please continue to sign-up over Breeze, as I will be requiring a minimum of two kids signed up to hold the sessions. (Though, all are welcome, regardless of whether you have RSVP’d.) These sessions continue to take place over Zoom for the time being. December Zoom dates will be posted by the end of the month, here on the weekly update and on our private Facebook group!