In less than a week, we will celebrate a year since I gave birth to my first and only child. When I reflect on the past year, I feel deep gratitude for the abundant care and support I have received through my position at UUFM and from so many of you. In a country that has a long way to go with supporting birth givers and parents through this journey, I feel quite privileged.

While I will not be on maternity leave this summer, I will be using up some paid time off as we make our way through the end of June to celebrate, and children’s programming will be quite scaled-back this summer. As many may know, summertime services at UUFM tend to be less attended. When I am on this summer, I will be spending much of my summer hours pursuing professional development opportunities, working on organizational tasks, and planning for fall.

Rather than inviting volunteers on Sunday to work specifically in our nursery or CFD room, we have invited the role of “family support,” meaning from mid-June to mid-August, we will invite volunteers to show up in the entry then Sanctuary to offer to sit near families with children. Then, when there are children who wish to and there are two background-checked adults available, there will be the option to head to a suitable space. There will be the options of the wiggle room, nursery, CFD room, library, or outside, to play. Alternatively, if children wish to remain in the Sanctuary or no children are present, those who signed up are not missing any of the worship service.

If you have interest in supporting families during worship this summer or initiating other times and ways of connecting at UUFM, please do reach out to me via email to share what you are willing to assist and collaborate. Thank you!