October 11, 2021 

Dear families and friends of Lifespan Spiritual Exploration:

Thanks to those who answered the gleaning call last week.  We had a great crew show up for the eggplant harvest!  If you are craving more in-person outdoor events, please scroll down for Upcoming Events.  This SUNDAY there are several options to choose from (I'm trying to focus on outdoor events the 3rd Sunday of each month and calling it Circle of Trees).  

But focusing on today--this is the 3rd year that Indigenous Peoples Day is an official state holiday.  What a great opportunity to create some family traditions for honoring the original people of these hills and valleys, and other Indigenous Peoples around the world. Who knows? Traditions we instill in our kids around this new official holiday, * might * carry over to future generations! 

I hope you'll find at least one to do, maybe more.  They tie into our UU values of valuing the inherent worth and dignity of each person, and searching for the truth, and working toward a more just world, and learning the indigenous practices of caring for the Earth, our home. 

Here are a few things you might do today or in the coming weeks to mark this holiday. These things are great to do any time of year.

1. Learn from indigenous teachers:

• Watch Nebi: Abenaki Ways of Knowing Water, with a great creation story of Lake Champlain and the mountains. Talk about ways to connect and care for the water you live near. (12 min. video--Marissa really liked this one!)
• Learn about The Honorable Harvest (click here for a 3 min. video narrated by Robin Wall Kimmerer) which we watched in Children's Chapel yesterday. 
• Revisit Children's Chapel with Melody Walker Brook.  Melody is a scholar, historian, and artisan.  She is a member of the Elnu Band of the Abenaki and was a guest in our Children's Chapel a year ago.  This is a private video, that Melody has given permission for us to share only within UCM families and our volunteers.  Thank you for honoring that and not sharing the link with others.    

2. Keep the Abenaki language alive!  Abenaki leaders are trying to teach more and more people the language.  Our church yard is a great, public place to teach people walking by some words in Abenaki.  Help illustrate a word with a colorful drawing  Children and youth from UCM can choose your word and sign up here.  

• Spell the word out clearly in Abenaki and the English word in small letters. 
• Illustrate it--color illustrations of any kind--watercolor, marker, crayon, color pencil, collage.  (it will get laminated)
• Email me a scan, pic, or drop it in the mail, with the artist name(s) and I'll put it in the church yard.  Please try to get your images in by the end of next week (Mon. October 18th)

3. Donate: The month's UCM pouch recipient is Abenaki Helping Abenaki.  If you have the means, but haven't had a chance to donate during worship, please take a moment to do so HERE!  If you wish to have the entire donation go to AHA, please note that. 

Honor Indigenous Peoples Day all month...
4. Learn more and support indigenous authors.   Consider buying or borrowing books by indigenous authors: some picture books or some for youth/young adults. 

5.  A land project: Abenaki have always been and continue be stewards of the land.  Spend some time in nature, connecting with the Earth.  Sit spot might help you think of a project you could do to care for the land the way it cares for us--plant a tree or bush, pick-up trash, get a bird feeder for the long winter ahead.

6. Feast with some of these traditional Abenaki foods.  You might want to include several of these in a meal: squash, corn, beans, pumpkin seeds, popcorn, berries, sunflower oil, fish or a a desert with maple syrup!  HERE are some Abenaki recipes.   

7. CELEBRATE!  DANCE!  Here's one video "One World" by IllumiNative and Mag 7 that might help expand some ideas of what indigenous music is.     
It's so hard not being able to do these projects in person together.  It really makes me so happy to hear if any of what I offer is helpful, so let me know with a quick email or photo if you try out any of these ideas. 

Waolowzi (Abenaki for "Be very well"), 
Liza

Liza Earle-Centers
Dir. Lifespan Spiritual Exploration (LSE)
ucm.dre@gmail.com
802.223.7861 ext. 2  

LSE Registration for 2021-2022 (click here) 
Parents/caregivers: please take a few to complete this for any child or youth ages 0-18 who even might participate in a church event this year. This is critical to us keeping you informed as opportunities arise. For example, we do hope we can find volunteers and figure out a way to offer some form of Our Whole Lives sexuality education this year to 7th-8th graders and 5th-6th graders.  Or a modified Coming of Age program for 9th-10th graders, or an outdoor story time for toddlers!  This is how we will keep you in the loop for age-specific programs.  It also helps us know about any food allergies, photo permissions, etc.   

 

• Outdoor gatherings:
  • HS Youth Group: Wed. Oct. 13th at 6:30pm, Old Shelter in Hubbard Park.  Pizza and campfire!  Bring a headlamp, flashlight or camping lantern.  
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  • Middle School Youth Group, fire circle first Sunday of each month.  Stay tuned for details.  
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• • Fall Sing-along with Paula Gills: Sun. Oct. 17th, 12:30pm, in the north church yard where the labyrinth is. Rain date: Oct. 24th. More details and RSVP HERE. 
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  • Sunday Oct. 17th, 3-6pm: All Ages LSE Circle of Trees, Old Shelter in Hubbard Park.~ Be part of a simple, interactive all ages worship service.  Then explore how many forest dynamics epitomize our UU values of interconnection and mutual support.  Pizza and pumpkin muffins to wrap up the afternoon. Come to one or more of the elements.  RSVP required HERE.  One outdoor gathering a month on 3rd Sundays at least through December.  Led by Liza with help from LSE Volunteers.   
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• Online: 
  • Zoom Pre-worship Children's Chapel 9:15-9:45am for kids/youth/families each Sunday (link at ucmvt.org). Led by Liza and LSE volunteers.  
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  • Midweek Meditation: The organizers and participants of the summer's meditation services, are continuing with Midweek Meditations!  First and third Wednesdays, 9-10am on Zoom.  45 mins. of quiet meditation, perhaps with some thoughts shared here and there, followed by 15 mins. of conversation.  Join Zoom Meeting here. 

• • Seeking connection through the start of winter? Treat yourself to a time of slowing down and really listening and really being heard.  Join one of our UCM Chalice Circles!
    • Information and sign-up for Soul Matters HERE. 
    • Information and sign-up for Small Group Ministry HERE. 
    • Information and sign-up for Seasoned Souls HERE.