🌿 Religious Education Update 🌿
So much gratitude for Shylah, Justin, and Heather who all stepped in to lead classes this week — such a beautiful reflection of our ever-growing shared ministry in action! 💜
✨ Community Share
Phoenix Homeschool is hosting a dance: Through the Looking Glass
🗓 May 2, 2026 | ⏰ 6–9pm
📍 YWCA of Bristol, TN
🎟 $15/ticket | Open to homeschoolers ages 11+
If interested, please reach out directly to the Phoenix Homeschool group for more information.
🌱 K–5
This past week, we brought the K–5 and 6–12 groups together for a shared exploration of innate worthiness and labels — the ones we’re given, the ones we take on, and the ones we can choose to release.
While the older group dove into an iceberg activity, our younger friends created beautiful self-love artwork and absolutely beamed as they shared their creations. We explored what it means to decide who we are, to love ourselves, and to remember that we are worthy simply because we exist. ✨
This week, Sue and Greg will be facilitating a lesson on Interdependence – The Missing Shrimp. Through wonder questions and a hands-on activity, children will explore how different parts of a system work together. They’ll even become “miners,” extracting chocolate chips (resources) from cookies (the Earth), and noticing how our actions impact the whole. 🍪🌎
🌟 6–12
Last weekend, the youth began their first lesson in the self-designed curriculum: The Self — and wow, what a powerful start.
Together, we explored innate worthiness, the “iceberg” of personality, and releasing labels placed on us by others. The group showed incredible honesty and insight, sharing both what they’ve witnessed and what they’ve personally carried.
One especially powerful moment was hearing students express what they want others to truly see and understand about them now. It was a beautiful reminder that what is often labeled as “teen rebellion” can actually be an authentic expression of self — one that can be rooted in kindness, compassion, and self-awareness.
The youth also offered thoughtful feedback and are excited to expand future sessions with more interactive elements — including games and even karaoke! 🎤✨ I continue to feel so much joy witnessing this co-creation unfold.
🌿 Adult RE 2
Last week, the Adult RE 2 group explored inner tranquility as a form of strength and power, reflecting on how our internal state can influence the world around us.
This week, Heather will be guiding a discussion around personal definitions of activism and social change — exploring the many ways we show up in the world, just as we are, and how that can be enough.
Love & Light, Jess Ox