May 2025
Dear RE Families,
This is a note of gratitude. My mother passed away on Saturday, April 19 - the day before Easter. I was not able to be at USSB for our annual Easter Hunt for Justice, but I didn't have to worry. So many of you stepped up to help out with everything from hiding eggs (shout out to teens Emma, Dillon, and Cassia) to tallying up donation amounts, that everything went off without a hitch. There were eggs to find, chocolate bunnies distributed to the kids, and caring adults guiding children in their donation decision making. This is a big part of why I love this community. We are there for each other in the good times and the hard times. My heart is full. Thank you.
And speaking of the Hunt for Justice, Children's RE donated $170 to BUNS, $126 to Transition House, and $104 to the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. Thank you to all who helped make these donations possible.
Yours in community,
Charla
Mark your calendars for these May dates
- May 4: Lunch & Learn - UU History 101
- May 16: Pizza Church
- May 18: CRE Fieldtrip with Wilderness Youth Project
- May 18: Lunch & Learn - Befriending Your Mortality
Children's Religious Exploration in may
Soul Matters Lessons on the theme of imagination!
Our Soul Matters lessons for this month are focused on Imgination: Using imagination to find hope, solve problems, have fun, and think outside the box. Soul Matters Sundays are May 4 and 11 and are led by our own Janey Madlani. Read on for information about a special May 18 fieldtrip! And because we believe play is a spiritual practice, May 25 will be our Playful Souls Sunday this month!
CRE Sundays in a nutshell:
- May 4: Soul Matters Sunday
- May 11: Soul Matters Sunday
- May 18: WILDERNESS YOUTH PROJECT FIELD TRIP!
- May 25: Playful Souls
If your child has participated in children's RE or attended childcare more than 3-4 times, please take a moment to register them. We're glad you're here and look forward to getting to know your family.
CRE Fieldtrip with Wilderness Youth Project!
Sunday, May 18, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
K-6th grade CRE kids have an exciting opportunity to go off campus on a Sunday morning with the amazing folks from Wilderness Youth Project! WYP will provide a van and a facilitator, and at least one USSB staff person will go as well. Parents are also welcome (though you may have to drive your own car).
We will meet in Jefferson Courtyard at 9:45 to sign permission slips. Please secure a spot for your child by completing the form at the link below. Kids WILL get dirty and wet (how fun), so dress them accordingly! We will provide snacks, but kids should also bring a sack lunch. They will be exploring nature up close, playing games, creek hopping, and more, all while learning to love and care for the beautiful outdoor spaces we are so blessed to live near.
Read and complete this form for more information and to secure a spot for your kiddo!
Loving Childcare Every Sunday
Loving childcare is available on Sunday mornings in Starr King for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-5 from 9:45-11:30. Most Sundays, children play outside in the Starr King play yard in the sandbox, on the swings, the zipline, or other fun activities. Starr King even has a creek! You are welcome to bring a snack for your child, but please note that Starr King is a nut free zone. Our childcare staff include Sydney Tomlinson, Childcare Coordinator, and Emma & Dillon Sunday morning staff.
Children under two are invited to remain in the sanctuary with their adults. We have a baby corner with toys in the back of the sanctuary and we do NOT believe that children should be seen and not heard!
YoUUth GrouP!
Coming Up in YoUUth Group
- May TBD: Inclusive Martial Arts
- June 1: Pride Planning for parade!
- June 14: Santa Ynez Valley Pride Parade
Lots of energy around the June Pride Parade in the Santa Ynez Valley. Youth will have an opportunity to decorate and ride in a car all decked out for Pride this year. Stay tuned for details. And watch your email for the date of the next Inclusive Martial Arts event too!
Contact YoUUth Group Coordinator Christina Boardman at christina@ussb.org for up-to-date information about YG and to get on our YG WhatsApp
Adult RE Lunch & Learn Series
Sundays, 12:00-2:00 PM (dates below)
ARE Lunch & Learn is a series of five independent workshops covering a variety of topics. You may participate in as many as you like! Each session takes place on a Sunday from 12:00-2:00 pm. A light lunch will be served, and childcare is available with advance request (included in the registration links below).
Upcoming workshops include: * UU History 101, May 4 facilitated by Rev. Julia Hamilton * Befriending your Mortality, May 18 with Eileen Bunning * The Art of Reflection, June 15 with Peter Hale * The Wi$dom Path: Our Money, Our Values, June 29 facilitated by Gary Welterlen. *
Register for each workshop at the links below
UU History 101, May 4
facilitated by Rev. Julia Hamilton
Befriending your Mortality, May 18
facilitated by Eileen Bunning
The Art of Reflection, June 15
facilitated by Peter Hale
The Wi$dom Path: Our Money, Our Values, June 29
facilitated by Gary Welterlen
Pizza Church in the park!
May 16, 5:30-7:00 PM at Shoreline Park
We had a great time at the April Pizza Church in the Mission Rose Garden. Join us on May 16, 5:30-7:00 at Shoreline Park near the playground. Get to know other CRE families in a fun and relaxed setting. USSB provides the pizza. Families provide their own beverages, plates and utensils. Everyone is invited to bring a side or dessert to share with the group. Feel free to bring frisbees, croquet, or other fun games and activities to share too. RSVP to charla@ussb.org by Thursday, May 15.
Coming Up for USSB Families
- May 16: Pizza in the Park (Shoreline Park)
- May 18: CRE Fieldtrip with Wilderness Youth Project!
- Jun 13: Pizza in the Park (Steven's Park)
- Jun 21: Central Coast UU RE Summer Solstice Celebration
- July 11: Pizza at the Beach (Goleta Beach Park)
- Aug 15: Pizza at the Pool
- Sep 26-28: Fall Family Campout with SLO UU families
de Benneville Pines Family Camp
July 20-26
It's not too early to start planning for summer. Among the many camps offered by our UU DeBenneville Pines Camp in Angelus Oaks, is a weeklong camp for families. Family Camp will be July 20-26 this year. Click on the link below for more information about this UU jewel in the mountains.
Thank you for reading
We welcome your questions, concerns, and great ideas.
For more information about the Unitarian Society, visit our website or email Charla Bregante, our Director of Religious Exploration at charla@ussb.org
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For more information about Unitarian Universalism visit the Unitarian Universlist Association website
Credits:
Created with images by Bob - "A collection of sea glass and agates, Canon Beach, Oregon" • 裕美 黒坂 - "seaglass (blue and white)" • SnowElf - "Multicolored Seaside Gemstones at Sunset. Close-up of colorful sea glass and pebbles glistening on the sandy beach seashore." • Lubek - "Fantasy world inside of the book. Concept of education imagination and creativity from reading books. " • Ixepop - "Childcare spelled out with Alphabet Blocks" • Alison Toon - "Turquoise sea glass and cockle shells; glass worn smooth by ocean waves" • Zerbor - "A man holding a megaphone - Save the date" • BOOCYS - "glass stones" • nata_vkusidey - "Set of pizzas: pepperone, cheese, chicken and tomatoes, tuna, shrimp" • magele-picture - "Save the Date!"