THIS WEEK IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Hello Good Folks,

I have wanted to write for a while, but every time I sit down to do it, I realize there are details that need to be hammered out before I can submit a report. That is the case today, too, but I figure that if I wait until we know everything certainly, it will probably be too late to be helpful. So, in advance, please forgive any uncertainty, any ignorance, and any confusing bits in the following e-mail. Rest assured that we are all working hard to try to think of all the details and figure everything out.

First things first: we STILL need teachers for this upcoming church year. This is the time of year when I start getting kind of nervous about that, so please help my well being by signing up to take a shift. (Yes, it is all about ME.) We have four slots with the 2s and 3s. We have two slots with the 4s and 5s. We have one slot with the 1st-3rd grade. Please, please, please contact me if you have been fence-sitting ... you are necessary to the continued success of this program.

I am also compiling a list of people willing to take a Sunday or two to work with the babies in the nursery. It looks like we will have one paid worker and one volunteer worker. There are 41 Sundays to be staffed by a volunteer in the nursery, so if I can get at least 20 people signed up, then no one person will work more than two Sundays the entire church year. This position is EASY ... you just show up and interact with the babies (under two years old). Please let me know if you are willing to perform this loving service for RE and for our babies. I can be reached on my cell at 715.610.0500 or via e-mail at samantha@uuwausau.org. Please supply your birthdate (for a background check) if you are volunteering.

OK, as long as I am playing the volunteer card, let me also mention that there is a call out for volunteers to help us host our Open House and Building Dedication weekend festivities (September 8th and 9th). We will need people to perform all sorts of jobs, so even if you are only able to sit in a chair and say hello to folks, we can put you to work. Sheryl Hemp is managing the volunteer list for that weekend, so please contact her (842.5421 or 

wishemp@aol.com) with your interest.

On Saturday, September 8th, there will be three storytellers scheduled here at church. Please bring 2-5-year-olds to listen to stories and songs by Rev. Paul Beckel from 1:00 until 1:30pm, Joni Hahn from 2:00 until 2:30pm, and Mary Ann Masterton from 3:00 until 3:30pm. Other ages are welcome, but the material will be geared toward the younger set. Spread the word to your friends and your children's friends that we have three very talented storytellers on that day. This is the Arts Fest weekend, so the storytimes will be an opportunity for parents to go someplace comfortable and quiet to rest and get out of the heat (we hope) or rain (we hope not). We hope for a large and enthusiastic turn-out, so if you can help at all in this respect by spreading the word, it will be greatly appreciated.

I might as well mention that I will be doing the service this Sunday (the 5th) even though I am pretty nervous about it and sort of wish everyone would stay home on that day. Hahaha. Not really. Well, maybe a little bit. I will be talking about choosing. I will also be asking volunteer participants to reflect on difficult choices they have made and how they went about coming to their final decisions.

The building is coming along ... the rec room and dining room are almost completely clear of their very dusty clutter, and RE materials are spread hither and yon. Atrium classrooms are more or less ready minus some cabinet shelves and hardware. Basement classrooms are missing sinks and cabinets and door frames, but we have been given the go-ahead to start putting things in their places in terms of furniture and such. We still do not have an occupancy permit, so we can't actually move in, but we are able to work around that by holding meetings and keeping our offices in Yawkey Hall.

I will be writing teachers in a separate e-mail to set up some work dates and times to get classrooms in better shape. I am also working hard to get curricula written, copied, and distributed. I will also be scheduling teacher training dates and times from which you may choose. Parent information about how Sunday mornings are going to run will be forthcoming. There is lots of juggling going on right now, so bear with me. If you have ANY concerns or questions, contact me at any time. My relative silence of late should not be interpreted as a wall ... please stay in touch.

My work hours have been inconsistent because of summer school, but now that is over, I should be here at the church more often than not. Call or write me if you need to see me, and I can be sure to be here at a time that is mutually acceptable.

I am very excited about this upcoming church year. This is such a great time for us; I know we are on the brink of good changes. None of this would be happening without the support and work of oodles of contributors and volunteers, so pat yourselves on the back for being an integral part of this great thing.

I will be writing again soon, but again, do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns.

I miss you. I miss your kids.

XO,

Samantha