🌉 The Bridge Weekly — July 26, 2026, 9:30-10:45AM, REZ Building
✨ Hello, you gorgeous souls!
What a joyful season this has been!
Over the past several months we've explored fossils, astronomy, storytelling, games, community helpers, and so much more—all while growing stronger as a community across generations. As summer begins to wind down, we're also looking ahead with excitement to everything waiting just around the corner.
This Sunday marks the opening of registrations for all of our Religious Exploration programming, and we can't wait to share what this coming year has in store!
🌱 Religious Education is now Religious Exploration
This new name better reflects who we are and what we hope to cultivate together: curiosity, wonder, lifelong learning, meaningful relationships, and spiritual growth.
While the name is changing, our commitment remains exactly the same—to create welcoming, engaging experiences where people of every age can explore life, faith, and themselves together.
🎨Summer All-Ages RE: Expressing Emotions Through Art
Join Alex, Kita, and Traci as we discover the many ways art helps us understand and express our emotions.
Whether through paint, drawing, collage, or many other creative mediums, everyone is invited to explore what emotions can look like when we give them space to be seen.
Parents may wish to send children with an oversized shirt or apron just in case paint becomes the medium of choice!
🧘 All Ages, All In — Healers
Our We Are the Builders summer initiative continues this Thursday as we explore the important role Healers play in our communities.
We'll begin the evening with All-Ages Yoga led by Tish, then continue with hands-on activities and opportunities to discover the many ways people bring healing into the world—through movement, compassion, care, and connection.
📅 Thursday, July 30
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
Yoga begins upstairs in the REZ Building meditation room.
🎬 Family Movie Night Fundraiser
Looking for an affordable evening together? Bring the whole family for a fun-filled night featuring Hoppers!
📅 Friday, July 24
🚪 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🎥 Movie Begins: 6:30 PM
🎲 Family Game Night continues until 9:30 PM
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 support the continued growth of Religious Exploration programming.
We're also looking for volunteers to help with setup, concessions, hospitality, and cleanup. We'd love to have you join the fun!
🌟 Wonder Worship Task Force
Thank you to everyone who joined our very first Wonder Worship Task Force meeting!
It was an incredibly energizing conversation full of thoughtful ideas and shared excitement. Together we're creating a worship experience that honors the many ways children naturally engage with spirituality while strengthening intergenerational connection throughout our congregation!
Our next meeting will be:
📅 Thursday, July 30
🕧 12:30 PM
💻 Zoom
If you'd still like to join this adventure, we'd love to have you! Simply email Jess Ox at hvuucdre@gmail.com to stay connected.
🌈 26'-27' RE Registrations Open This Sunday!
The excitement we've experienced this summer has only strengthened our vision for what's ahead, and we're thrilled to share the programs taking shape for this fall.
Whether you're 6 months old or 96 years young, there's a place to explore, connect, and grow this year. Here's a glimpse of what's coming:
👶 Nursery
Families are asked to complete one annual nursery registration so our caregiving team has up-to-date emergency contacts, allergies, and important information throughout the year. Daily sign-in and sign-out will still take place whenever your little one attends.
Behind the scenes, our amazing caregiver team, Olivia and Mary, have been reimagining, refreshing, and revving up the nursery for a wonderful year ahead! They're replenishing art supplies, expanding our children's library, and even introducing elements of UU Spirit Play to create an even more engaging and wonder-filled space for our youngest explorers.
Growth and expansion are happening at every age, and we're excited for our littlest members to be part of the adventure, too!
🌼 K–2: Flourishing Hearts
Children will explore Unitarian Universalist values through emotions, stories, wonder, and play.
Each week pairs one of our shared UU values with an age-appropriate emotional skill, helping children discover how kindness, courage, generosity, justice, and curiosity can shape both who they are and how they care for others.
Through inspiring stories, creative activities, outdoor exploration, and meaningful conversations, children will grow emotional confidence while building a strong sense of belonging within our community.
🌎 Grades 3–5: My Mindfulness Passport
This year our Grades 3–5 class will embark on a journey around the globe, exploring stories, traditions, and mindfulness practices that have helped people find meaning and connection for generations.
Using their own Mindfulness Passport, students will "travel" to different cultures, discover inspiring traditions, and collect practical tools they can use in their everyday lives—all through a spirit of curiosity, respect, and Unitarian Universalist values.
🎲 Grades 6–12: The Journeys of Deeper Joy RPG
A collaborative role-playing adventure where imagination meets reflection.
Youth will journey through the world of Covenantia, solving challenges, building friendships, making meaningful choices, and exploring what it means to live out Unitarian Universalist values through storytelling, teamwork, and shared adventure. You can dive deeper into the curriculum details at UUA.org - search Deeper Joy RPG.
☕ Adult 1 Discussion Group
Many people don't realize we offer two Adult RE classes each Sunday!
Adult 1 uses TED Talks, YouTube videos, podcasts, and other thought-provoking media to spark meaningful conversations. Discussion topics evolve based on the group's interests and curiosity, making each Sunday unique.
As we prepare for another year together, Adult 1 is inviting ideas and inspiration for future conversations.
📍 REZ Building – Lower Level
🕤 Sundays • 9:30–10:45 AM
🌿 Adult 2: The Journey Home to YoUU
An adventurous exploration of the Self.
Rather than asking, "How do you identify as a Unitarian Universalist?"
this year-long journey begins with a different question: "How do you identify as you?"
Together we'll explore self-awareness, psychology, spirituality, mindfulness, and wisdom from many traditions, discovering how greater self-awareness leads to stronger relationships, more intentional living, and a more authentic expression of our Unitarian Universalist values.
It's a journey to remember, uncover, and embrace who you have been all along—and to bring that authentic self more fully into your life, your relationships, and your community.
💜 Volunteers Make the Magic Happen
As our programming continues to grow, so does our need for wonderful volunteers!
Whether you'd enjoy leading a class, assisting a lead teacher, helping little hands explore the garden, supporting Wonder Worship, or simply lending a helping hand wherever needed, we'd love to help you find a place that fits your interests.
Training opportunities and volunteer sign-ups will be available soon.
Each Sunday we're looking for:
• 2 adults for K–2
• 2 adults for Grades 3–5
• 2 adults for Grades 6–12
• 1 Adult-2 Group Guide
• 1–2 Wonder Worship volunteers, 2-3 Sundays each month
Background checks are required for those working with children and youth and are fully provided by the church.
Interested?
Reach out to Jess Ox at hvuucdre@gmail.com, or keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer sign-ups!
👶 Caregiver Substitute Opportunity
We're also seeking an On-Call Nursery Caregiver Substitute to support our nursery throughout the year.
This flexible position is perfect for someone who enjoys working with young children and would like to serve our congregation on an occasional basis.
Position Highlights
• Paid Hourly
• Flexible on-call schedule
• 6–8 substitute hours have been needed annually, though needs may vary.
Responsibilities include providing a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for infants and young children while supporting our commitment to creating an inclusive space where every child and family feels they belong.
The selected applicant will complete a background check at no cost.
If you'd like to learn more or are interested in applying, please contact:
Jess Ox
📧 hvuucdre@gmail.com