Author Archives: Dave Giltner

Family section

A family that creates together, has fun together!

Interested in raising creative children? Then it’s time for you to play along! Research shows that children tend to be more creative if they see their parents participate in creative activities as well. Below are a few ideas, but there are many books on instilling creativity in the home!

Instead of pulling out the art supplies and paper for your child, pull up a seat and join in the fun! Allow children to create masterpieces from a variety of materials. Side note: if your children are into coloring books, and you’re not into the latest Spiderman or LalaLoopsy books, you can find a great line of thematic coloring books- such as Henna tattoos, paisley prints, flowers, and fashion, over at Michaels. Coloring with older children can be a great way to open the lines of communication in a relaxing environment.

Build something together! Get out the hammer and nails and create something- either a design of your own or follow plans. Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot also have kid-friendly classes too! Don’t be afraid to show your children how to fix things around the house. Not only is it practical, but it shows real-life problem solving strategies.

Praise your child when you see him/her using creative problem solving skills. Role play creative ways to work through difficult situations.

Try new foods! Cook together and experiment by trying a new twist on your family’s favorite recipes. Having an ethnic food night? Pull up appropriate music to match and dance along!

– By Renee Bowman

 

Posted in Web Updates.

Welcome to Creativity

There are so many ways to be creative in our lives. We all know that people who engage in music, written and visual arts are creative. And yet creativity is about so much more than that.

Creativity calls us to step outside of the way we have done things before. Creativity helps us to problem solve in new ways. In the story that was the center of our first service this month the children of the town addressed their concern by being silly rather than mean.

Creativity is essential as we address the problems in this world. It is a skill that allows us to consider the other side. It allows us to look at a variety of ways to address problems until we find what works.

As you look at this packet you’ll notice many elements. The purpose is to help all of us explore each topic in a variety of ways. Near the end there are questions. I invite you to consider one or more questions as you go through the month.

I am pleased that a few people contributed this month. I hope as time goes on you will contribute songs, artwork, poems, music and books or your own thoughts on the theme of the month.

 

In Faith –

Rev. Jennifer Gray

Posted in Web Updates.

Gray Areas: Reflections from the Minister

October is a creative month. The trees are changing from stunning green into a variety of colors. The weather as changing as this part of the world begins to settle into the long exhale that is winter. We begin to see decorations (sometimes for Christmas) in October. And at the end of the month, as the veil between the worlds grows thin, many of us choose to participate in Halloween. Halloween is a time when we get to step into another possibility for a while. You have permission to try on something new. To be someone new, just for a night.

This month we are going to try a few things that relate to creativity. You saw the first on Sunday. Our entire community was together for a service that wove in and out of our regular worship elements. It was a fun service and a great way to come together as a community.

At the end of the month we are going to try something completely different. And once again it is going to be something the entire community does. To prepare for that service please consider what you would write for a six word sentence about UUCC. Please send your six word sentences to me or Lynn Jettpace over the next couple of weeks. It could be anything: “This place is a spiritual home.” Or “I love these fun, weird, people.” Or ?? Sunday the 19th of October will be the last day to submit sentences.

We are also going to be thinking about creative self-care this month. Self-Care is anything you do that renews you. Taking a walk in the woods, reading a book, playing with children, painting, could all be suggestions for self-care. It would be great if some of those suggestions were Hendricks County specific. If we can reach one hundred suggestions we will put them together in one document for everyone.

It is a good month to explore creativity together.

In faith, Rev. Jenn

 

Posted in Uncategorized.

PDF Newsletter September 23rd, 2014

Click link to view .PDF

 

UUCC News September 24 14

Posted in Uncategorized.

Religious Exploration update 09/23/2014

What a turnout we had for our day of Teacher Training! Twenty dedicated volunteers spent 4 hours learning and collaborating together. These volunteers are proof that our church can rise to the occasion when needed! Why? We have 64 children and youth registered for Religious Exploration this year! See the RE bulletin board for pictures of our classroom teachers and (soon) class pictures.
Last week, our children and youth worked on covenants for their classrooms and learned some new routines for this year. Everyone is off to a great start.
Sept. 28th- Rosie Blankenship will be visiting all our RE classes to share how bee keeping has provided growth in many aspects of her life!
Oct. 5th- Intergenerational Service, “Outlawing of Jelly Beans and Other Injustices.” You won’t want to miss it! The service will be engaging for one and all. However, if your young one is struggling, we will have someone available downstairs to watch children.
Renee Bowman,
Director of Religious Exploration

Posted in Uncategorized.

First Annual No Talent Necessary Talent Show!!!

When: Saturday Oct. 11th from 6:30-9 p.m. Where: UUCC Sanctuary and Overflow Room Who: Adults & Children, any and all welcome. Bring friends! What: Dazzle the masses with your abilities of any kind or place a sculpture or art piece in the overflow room. (Performing is not required to attend, please attend to support your friends) What’s Provided: Goodies and beverages at intermission Why: Because we all need a bit more fun in our lives! Ideas: Poetry, skits, magic tricks, songs, crazy saying, Lego sculptures, drawings, “look what I can do” things, etc…. Sign-ups: Sign-ups will be available on Sunday the 28th until the Friday before the event. There will be an open call period as well for those not able to sign-up prior to the event. Remember: Tasha has a crazy weird talent to display that evening. You need to be there to be there to witness it first hand! Questions or to register through e-mail- please email Tasha at tasha.renee245@yahoo.com

Posted in Uncategorized.

Interested in Social Justice?

diverse-handsInterested in Social Justice? The Social Justice Committee is trying something new and we would like YOU to join us. Many in the UU faith believe that “Service is our Prayer.” If you are looking for ways to be a larger part of the ‘community within’ as well as the greater community we would like you to join us on Thursday October 2 at 7:00 p.m. when we will meet with a new format. We plan to begin meeting the first Thursday of each month to discuss how Social Justice ties into the themes of the month. Instead of it solely being a business meeting each time, we’d really like to switch the primary focus to how our Social Justice work as individuals, a team, a church, and a community, can help build and shape our spiritual growth and personal theology. Think chalice circle-ish. We will still devote a small portion of time to discuss the business of SJC initiatives, but this will be pretty small relatively speaking. Please come try it out and see what you think!

Posted in Newsletter.

From “A Prairie Home Companion” to UUCC –Half Step Sisters

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If you’re a Prairie Home Companion listener, you may have heard them when they placed 3rd out of more than 1,000 contestants in the radio show’s annual duet contest. And on October 18th you’ll have the chance to hear them again in person right here at UUCC! Our next Keys, Strings & Other Things show features The Half Step Sisters. The show will be held on October 18 beginning at 7 p.m.
Katie Burk and Julia Conway perform Americana, country and acoustic roots music with Katie on fiddle, Julia on upright bass and accompanied by fellow musicians John and Drew Bellner and D. Mark Conway. But the highlight of their shows, and what undoubtedly captured the attention of Prairie Home Companion staff, are their beautiful vocal harmonies. Since their NPR performance, The Half Step Sisters have been performing throughout central Indiana, and recently released their first CD, “Been A Long Time”.
Julia is a classically trained vocalist and has performed professionally since age eight. She studied piano and trumpet in school, and currently plays the ukulele, mandolin, and upright bass. Katie studied piano and violin through high school, and studied painting in college. Katie is currently exploring various fiddle styles and enjoys studying contemporary interpretations of older roots music.
Admission for adults is $10, with children 16 and under admitted for $5. To hear a sample of The Half Step Sisters’ music and learn more about them, visit their web page: http://www.reverbnation.com/thehalfstepsisters
If you have questions about the show, contact Sam Carman at 317-892-4239 or email scarman@tds.net.

Posted in Newsletter.

This Sunday, September 28, 2014

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This Sunday, September 28, 2014
9:00 a.m. Credo Discussion – Current Event Roundtable
10:00 a.m. Rev. Jennifer Gray Theme: Growth
“A Beacon on the Hill”
New Member Recognition
There is power in a mission, in a goal, it gives us a focus through times of confusion. It provides clarity when we aren’t
sure what to do next. A church that lives its mission will grow.
A person who lives their mission will grow
11:00 a.m. Coffee and Conversation

Posted in Newsletter.