“To play is to listen to the imperative inner force that wants to take form and be acted out without reason. It is the joyful, spontaneous expression of oneself.” – Michelle Cassou and Stewart Cubley

This week, I saw a friend share a photo of a beautiful knit project they finished, captioning their photo with a reminder to viewers that we are all capable of amazing work when we commit just a little time here and there. Since then, I have been considering the ways that we also benefit from consistent play.

Anya Kamenetz outlines in her NPR news article, “5 Proven Benefits of Play”, that researchers have found play benefits healthy brain development, disease and stress reduction, trauma recovery, family bonding, and academic skills. While we are no longer exploring play as a monthly Soul Matters theme, how can we incorporate play year-round? What benefits might we experience when we let ourselves play more often in our day-to-day experience, even if it just for a few minutes at a time?

I hope you prioritize play, whatever it looks like for you, persisting even when it feels like you do not have the time. Happy July, my friends!

Pictured is a progress photo of one of my favorite kinds of play – smearing paint on canvas.

…I am here for you, just an email or a phone call away. While I am no longer holding virtual “office hours”, you can reach me on my personal phone at 507-995-7929 or by email at cfddirector@uumankato.org . If I do not answer, I encourage you to send a text or leave a voicemail. Currently, I am available for daytime meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I also do have availability most other weekday evenings. 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

August Schedule for children and youth to look forward to:

Come join us outside at UUFM or on Zoom a few last times before the new church year! We will break out the tie-dye again plus a few other materials at our outdoor dates in August. Siblings and parents of CFD / Youth Group kids are encouraged to join in the fun in-person too.

So looking forward to reconnecting after a needed break from our typical online programming.

• Saturday, August 14th, 1-3pm – Youth Group in-person with Lee and Macey
• Sunday, August 15th, 11:30am-12:30pm – CFD via Zoom with Macey (additional facilitator TBA)
• Wednesday, August 18th, 6:30-8pm – Youth Group via Zoom (Zoom Escape Room created by Anika) with Barb and Macey
• Saturday, August 21st, 1-3pm – CFD in-person with Deb and Macey
• Sunday, August 22nd, 11:30am-12:30pm – Youth Group via Zoom with Lee and Macey