For the past 3 years, UUCM’s family ministry has benefited greatly from the caring, creative and grounded leadership of Jennifer Swick. Not only has she guided the program through unprecedented times, she has also helped the congregation successfully build upon its long commitment to religious education for children and youth.  

Jennifer has shared with Rev. Lisa and the Board her intent to retire from her position at the end of this church year to pursue some personal goals. Please see below to read her personal message to the congregation about this decision. We have shared our gratitude with Jennifer, how much she means to the congregation, and how much she will be missed. We are glad that we will have her leadership for the rest of the year and plan to celebrate her time with us in May and June. While we are deeply reluctant to let her go, we hope you will join us in wishing Jennifer well on this new chapter of her life.

Continue reading to view Jennifer’s letter to the congregation.
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The Unitarian Universalist Family Initiative (UUFI) is the UUCM team that works to nurture faith in the family. UUFI offers Parent Circle most every Wed., 8:15-9:15pm, usually over Zoom (check your Friday Update for the link). They also organize Tradition Trainings: opportunities for families to gather and learn together about creating traditions, such as mealtime or bedtime traditions. If you have interest in being a part of the planning team, please contact Jennifer or Shelly Buss. We’re looking for new members to join these fun folx, planning events periodically. No experience in traditions is necessary 🙂

Starting January 2nd, 1st-6th graders will begin the hour in worship with their families. They will be “hummed out” after the Story for All to head downstairs to their RE room. RE for elementary students lasts until 11:15am, when parents must pick up elementary children. Starting January 16th, 5th & 6th graders can be dismissed from RE with written permission from a parent (emailed to Jennifer).

On November 13th and14th, a dozen UUCM young people and a handful of adult sponsors participated in the Sleep Out, raising a record-breaking $3808 for IOCP (Interfaith Outreach Community Partners), Many thanks to the participants, and to all who supported them in learning about homelessness and advocating for families experiencing crisis.

Parent Circle meets 8:15-9:15pm each Wednesday over Zoom AND onsite the first Wednesday of the month, if enough people RSVP to Jennifer by noon that day. We listen to and encourage each other. We laugh and rant and learn. Join in whenever it works for you – we’d love to see ya! We use the Parent Circle Zoom link printed in every Friday Update.