Religious Education Update — June 21, 2026
✨ A Note from Jess
Hello you gorgeous souls ✨
First, thank you for your patience with the Religious Education updates these past couple of weeks. While the updates may have been quiet, Religious Education certainly has not!
Much of my time has been spent helping bring to life many of the ideas, hopes, and dreams that members of our congregation have shared. It has been such a joy to watch congregational visions begin to take shape and to be part of the process of turning ideas into reality.
As our community continues to grow, so does the vision for what Religious Education can be. And with that growth comes an invitation.
Religious Education is not something created by one person—it is something we build together. My role is to help bring these visions to life, but not alone. As a team. As a family. As a community.
If you've been wondering how to become more involved, now is a wonderful time.
📧 Email me at "hvuucdre@gmail.com" (mailto:hvuucdre@gmail.com) or join the Religious Education Collaborative (REC), which meets via Zoom on the first Sunday of each month at 5:00 PM.
The REC is currently helping bring several exciting projects and programs to life:
🌟 All Ages, All In: A Summer of Community Connection
This summer community initiative invites us to explore the many meaningful roles that help communities thrive. Inspired by We Are the Builders, we'll be celebrating and experiencing roles such as Builders, Storytellers, Healers, First Responders, Visionaries, and more.
Activities are designed for all ages, and we warmly welcome both our congregation and the wider community to participate. Whether you're sharing a gift, attending an event, or helping behind the scenes, there's a place for you in this adventure.
📚 RE Book Sale Fundraiser
Saturday, August 15 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
The REC is organizing a community book sale fundraiser to support the growth and expansion of Religious Education programming.
You can help by:
• Donating books
• Volunteering with sorting, setup, sales, or cleanup
• Helping spread the word throughout the community
Every contribution helps strengthen and expand our RE offerings.
🎬 Family Movie Night Fundraiser
Friday, July 24
Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Movie Begins: 6:30 PM
Family Game Night Continues Until 9:30 PM
Bring the whole family for an affordable evening of fun!
Purchase a $5 raffle ticket for a chance to win exciting prizes, enjoy family-friendly games, and grab snacks and concessions throughout the evening. All proceeds will support the continued growth of Religious Education programming.
Volunteers are also needed for setup, concessions, hospitality, and cleanup.
🌈 Summer RE Class Updates
We continue to encourage everyone to explore our All-Ages Summer Classes! Our congregation is filled with fascinating interests, talents, and gifts, and these classes offer wonderful opportunities to learn from one another.
For those who prefer smaller discussion-based experiences, Adult RE 1 and Adult RE 2 continue throughout the summer as well.
🦴 This Sunday: Fossil Exploration!
Join Michael Jones and Sophi Peterson as they guide our All-Ages Summer Class through the fascinating world of fossils.
Learn how fossils are formed, how to identify them, and then put your new skills to use through hands-on exploration. Adults and children alike are invited to participate in this exciting adventure.
📱 Coming Soon: Simplified RE Sign-In & Sign-Out
We're excited to share that a streamlined digital sign-in/sign-out system is coming to HVUUC Religious Education!
Within the next few weeks, families will be able to manage child check-in and hand-offs directly from their phones, helping create a smoother experience for both families and volunteers.
💜 Stay Connected
Be sure to join the HVUUC Families Group on Facebook for updates, announcements, photos, and opportunities to connect with other families throughout the year.
✨ Thank You
Thank you for being part of this shared ministry in action.
Whether you're teaching, volunteering, attending, donating, dreaming, encouraging, or simply showing up, you are helping create a Religious Education program where wonder, belonging, and growth can flourish.
We are building something beautiful together.