Family Learning & Multigenerational Enrichment (FLAME)

A light blue banner with the letter "A" and text about spiritual programming opportunities.

Transcribed Text:

A: Awakening Hearts and Minds
Opportunities centered around creating spiritually nourishing programming

Our Nursery is available during worship service for babies and toddlers up to age 3.5.

May 2026

Beloved Families of First UU Church of Richmond,

Welcome to May, where we will have the opportunity to practice Awakening Our Curiosity together. Our lessons will explore the idea of building bridges to a more Just, Diverse, and Exciting World. May is also Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We will weave elements of these histories into our stories and activities through May. We are also making preparations for a fun summer, with an invitation to members of First UU’s various Small Groups to come lead a Sunday morning with the kids, sharing their spiritual or group practices. If your group would like to guide our kids for a Sunday, please reach out! Any open Sundays will need to be filled by parent/caregiver volunteers. You may also use the QR code below:

Colorful volunteer interest form with "FLAME" in multicolors, doodles, and a QR code.

Transcribed Text:

FLAME
Family Learning and Multigenerational Enrichment

Volunteer Interest Form

QR code link: Google FORM

This church year has been full of growth and nourishment and joy for our children and youth. Please make sure you thank our volunteers who have made it all possible.

Remaining (Re-May-ning) Happenings

  • Sunday, May 17, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-12th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a More Diverse World. It is Youth Group Sunday. Our high schoolers are invited to join their advisors for snacks and discussion in Room 3.
  • Sunday, May 17, 11:30am: Please join us for the continuing Middle East Peace Conversations. This session will be led by Dr. Faedah Totah, Associate Professor in the School of World Studies at VCU. The topic is “How Did We Get Here? The Making of Israel and Palestine”.
  • Wednesday, May 20, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal.
  • Sunday, May 24, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a More Exciting World, which we will explore through stories, crafts, and games.
  • Wednesday, May 27, 6-7pm: Youth Music Ensemble Rehearsal. This will be the final rehearsal for this church year, before the group goes on break for the summer.
  • Sunday, May 31, 10-11:15am: FLAME Activities for PreK-8th grades on the Lower Level. Our May Soul Matters theme is Awakening Curiosity. This week’s lesson will be on Building a Bridge to a World with Wiser People. We will also have some snacks and music to celebrate a successful church year.

Middle East Peace Conversation Series

Our First UU Board has been working with Churches for Middle East Peace to help us, as a congregation, navigate conversations around Palestine and Israel. This work stems from a call from our Committee on Shared Ministry to engage more courageously and live more fully into our Shared Values on this topic. We have had several gatherings this year, including facilitation with Destiny Magnett of CMEP, and Q&A Sessions with Leigh Ann Luscan on her recent trip to the Occupied West Bank with UUs for Justice in the Middle East. The conversations continue on May 17 with Dr. Faedah Totah of VCU on the making of what is now Israel and Palestine, June 21 with Leigh Ann Luscan on Nonviolent Movements for Just Peace, and a Sunday in August (tbd) with Zev Mishell, co-editor of Jewish Anti-Zionism: A Historical Anthology. Please join us prepared to learn, share perspectives, and engage in open & respectful dialogue. The covenant for the discussions will be reviewed and adjusted as needed at the start of each session. They are scheduled to begin after service in the Lower Level, so please pack a nut-free! lunch.

UUA General Assembly (Virtual!)

The 2026 UUA General Assembly will be held virtually from June 14-21 this year. The theme is Meet the Moment: Together Everywhere. The new format will be to alternate years of virtual and in-person. The 2027 GA will be in person in San Jose, CA! Registration is open for this year. You can find that and more information here. Stay tuned for more details about gatherings at First UU to participate virtually together. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact our Board members. Participating in General Assembly is a wonder

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