Fall Programming & Ways to Connect

Oct 1, 2020 | Members News, News, Top News

As the news keeps reminding us, we are in “unprecedented times,” which leads us to plan an “unprecedented” Sunday morning! Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve adjusted well to online Sunday services and have been able to retain and build so many aspects that we all love and enjoy about church. Going into the fall, we spent a lot of time reflecting on the last two seasons of the pandemic, and of thinking of ways to make Sunday morning work for more of our members and community. In the end, we decided to make it an easy to access, easy to attend, and easy to understand Sunday morning, without any competing or overlapping programs. We’re rolling programs for children, youth, and intergenerational engagement, kicking off on September 12th with Social Distance Soul Saturday’s and offering a brand new season for Sunday services, starting with September 13th Water Communion Ingathering. Plus, other ways to connect during the week this fall season.

Sunday Mornings

9:30 am: Religious Exploration: Children & Youth

Every Sunday morning, we will be offering virtual children’s programming. We have classes for ages 3-8 and 8-12. Kids will log in and be put in smaller rooms based on ages. Volunteers (which you can be!) will also be assigned to rooms to help our amazing children and youth learn about Unitarian Universalism through Spirit Play and Holidays & Holydays. Youth Helpers wanted: Each One, Teach One! You’ve got something worth sharing. Come drop in or sign up to get connected and start building relationships. We want to hear from you. Contact Amanda Uluhan, Director of Religious Education, to get plugged in as an adult volunteer. Make sure to enroll your children and youth by going to esuc.org/learn/registration

10:30 am: Sunday Service Worship

With Zoom, we are not limited by space, and want all our members, friends and visitors to have an opportunity to see each other on Sundays. The pandemic has made connecting with our beloved community even more important. So until we are back worshipping in person, we will continue to have one service on Zoom. This service will be in the same room as the RE programs are, so if you log in early, you will be placed in a zoom waiting room. Our services this fall focus on the upcoming election.

11:30 am(ish): Coffee Hour

After worship—around 11:30 am—we will have coffee hour: an informal and age-old Unitarian Universalist tradition. Use this opportunity to get to know someone new and enjoy the diversity in our community. Coffee Hour is a great opportunity to connect with visitors, welcome them to East Shore, and learn more about one another.

Weekdays

Daily Check-Ins: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am

Members are hosting a Daily Check-in via Zoom for anyone who wants to join. Every weekday (M-F) 9:00-9:30 am. Keep connected with church members during this time of social distancing; to share joys, concerns, and needs with one another. Log into Zoom room 569 071 839.

Wind Down Wednesdays Service & Social Hour, 7:00 pm

We’ll kick-off the year with a new midweek service to wind down and rejuvenate. For the fall, we’ll start with an aloud reading of Book 1 of the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Get your copy to follow along. Grab your PJ’s and a favorite stuffy, or tune in while you’re making dinner at home. No cameras necessary for this Zoom service. It’ll be sure to delight your aural senses alone. After the service, there will be an opportunity for social time. All Ages are welcome!

Sign up here to receive the Zoom meeting link for the Wind Down Wednesday Service.

Religious Exploration for Children, Youth, and Families

Please fill out and sign East Shore’s annual Children and Youth Enrollment form. Find the link, and more information about our programming here: esuc.org/learn/registration

Social Distance Soul Saturdays: Intergenerational and Just for Kids programs! Select Saturdays, 10am-2:00 p.m.

Be sure to pick up goodies and supplies for online/offline engagement with East Shore children and youth programs! Throughout the year, we’ll offer fun, social-distance, drive-thru friendly pickups. You’ll get what you need for each seven week cycle of programming.

We’re kicking off the fall on September 12th from 10am-2pm. You’ll find Blessing of the Backpacks stickers and Water Communion jars (open to all ages of congregants!) Find us in the Upper Parking lot at East Shore.

Sign up here for a time slot to drop by East Shore for September’s Social Distance Soul Saturday.

Next cycle starts on Halloween! So stay tuned for details about October 31st’s Soul Saturday from 10am-2pm! We’ll have a hauntingly good time.

Save the date for Saturday December 5th from 10am-2pm, too, for gingerbread house kits and winter solstice goodies.

Parent & Caregiver Meetup: Mondays, 8:15 p.m.

Parents & caregivers are invited to join a Zoom call led by Leta Hamilton to connect, recenter & offer support to one another. We will have themed calls each week. The first Monday will always be a guided meditation. Second Mondays are education & remote learning challenges. Third Mondays are open discussions with a favorite beverage intended for laughter & deeper personal connecting. Fourth Mondays will feature an inspirational book or video to uplift our spirits & offer hope. Please join us on Mondays from 8:15-9:05pm.

Sign up here to receive the Zoom meeting link for Monday Parent & Caregiver Meetup.

Gather: Family Programs with Amanda & LeAnne: Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.

Come circle round the table and share and learn together. We’ll spend six weeks at a time uncovering and growing ourselves as a family unit. This is a time to be intentional about play, creativity, and cultivating joy in our relationships. From September 16-October 28, we’ll talk each week about our family rituals and activities, and share in a variety of fun, community building activities and curious conversations.

Sign up here to receive the Zoom meeting link for Wednesday Family Programs.

Middle School & High School Youth Group Kick Off: Fridays, 6:30 p.m.

Join as we kick off fall quarter with middle school and high school youth groups, both happening at a new time on Friday Nights from 6:30-9:00pm. Doug Strombom and Alex Langrock are leading up our virtual youth groups, and other volunteers are needed. Each call will offer break out rooms for age and activity-based small groups. On the 1st and 3rd Fridays, we’ll play Dungeons and Dragons and JackBox games. On 2nd Fridays, we’ll focus on world issues and social justice, starting with voting and elections. On 4th Fridays, we’ll have an intergenerational fishbowl dealing with fun, engaging, and relevant “pick your-brain” topics. On 5th Fridays, we’ll have a movie night (November). You don’t have to turn on your cameras, and you can still have fun on Zoom! Be sure to pick up your youth group supplies on September 12th at social distance Soul Saturdays from 10am-2pm. For Saturday supplies pickup, sign up here.

Sign up here to receive the Zoom meeting link for Friday Night Middle and High School Youth Groups.

Zoom Help

Thank you to all who attended our Zoom Testing and Training options we have offered at East Shore. Jenny Newell, Joseph Newman, and I have enjoyed helping you and getting to know you. At this point, we are stopping the weekly help sessions, AND are still inviting you to reach out. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one training with our Zoom Tech Team, please reach out to Joseph Newman at [email protected] or Jenny Newell at [email protected] to schedule a time. You can also call ESUC at 425-747-3780 and leave a message on the main line. We will return your call (please note it may take a few days to get a response).