Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern - UUCRT

08/27/2026

RE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

As summer break comes to a close and we get ready to begin a new congregational year of RE children's classes mid September, Ms. Bernie and I would love to invite more voices and volunteers onto the RE Team!

Whether you've helped with RE before, or are simply curious about getting involved, you and your ideas are welcome! There will be an official RE Team meeting after service on Sunday August 30th. Everyone who has been involved in RE thus far -- and also anyone who might be interested in getting involved -- please join us!
If you miss the meeting but would like to learn more about ways to get involved and support our children's program at UUCRT, please email Michelle at [email protected].

BRUNCH FOR YOUNG FAMILIES 9/19 @10 AM: We are excited to kick off the 2026-2027 congregational year in RE with a brunch playdate for young families at the Wee Play Tots Park in Beacon located at 198 Robert Cahill Dr. Beacon, NY 12508! Please join us with your kiddos on Saturday September 19th from 10-noon. Coffee, bagels & cream cheese, fresh fruit, and orange juice will be served.

WHAT IS RE?
RE, Religious Exploration, is what we call our children's program at UUCRT. It is held on Sundays after the congregation enjoys a Time for All Ages in the sanctuary and we sing the children off to class. Ms. Bernie, our teacher, utilizes the Soul Matters curriculum to explore important topics like compassion, mindfulness, and social justice with the children.

Parents and caregivers come to UU congregations for a community that will help them raise kind kids with "open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands". No dogma. No rote memorization of religious doctrine. The children learn through stories, art, songs, games, and community service.

RE classes begin on Sunday September 20th, following a fun, intergenerational service the Sunday prior on 9/13.

I'm looking forward to another wonderful year with our children! Hope you can join us!

Gratefully,
Michelle DiLorenzo
RE Chair

06/23/2026

Our children's program at UUCRT, Religious Exploration (RE), will break for the summer. Our last official RE class is on Sunday June 21st, followed by a celebratory ice cream party and water play day for the kids! RE classes will resume in the Fall when school starts up again.

In RE at UUCRT, the focus is on helping children develop compassion, build ethical frameworks, and explore progressive moral values like social justice. No dogma. No rote memorization of religious doctrine. The children learn through stories, art, songs, games, and community service. Parents and caregivers come to UU congregations for a community that will help them raise kind kids with "open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands".

A tremendous amount of thanks to our RE teacher, Ms. Bernie, and our RE helper volunteers for supporting our children this year in growing their hearts and minds. We love you all and are so grateful for you!

During the summer months, there will be no formal RE lessons or official teacher. The children are encouraged to connect with one another and strengthen their sense of community through supervised child-led play. They may use the playroom and games available in the RE room, including limited access to craft supplies: play-doh, markers, crayons, watercolors, and paper. Parents provide supervision and help with clean-up as needed.

Have a great summer, and we'll see you all again in September!

Warmly,
Michelle DiLorenzo
RE Chair

05/21/2026

Because of the bad weather expected on Saturday, the UUCRT Brunch for Young Families will not be held. It will be rescheduled for another date, probably in September.

05/12/2026

Blending Education and Nature

Children in Ms. Bernie’s religious exploration class made a nature mandala May 10 at the UUCRT. A nature mandala is a temporary, circular art installation created by arranging natural
materials—such as flowers, leaves, twigs, stones, and shells—in symmetric patterns radiating from a central point. These creations blend art with mindfulness, celebrating natural biodiversity, encouraging environmental connection, and fostering relaxation

03/26/2026

🫶🏽

We'd like to thank the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern - UUCRT for their generous donation from their Sunday collections! This is a much appreciated gift for the animals in our care. 🩷

Donations help animals waiting for their forever homes, like Bentley! He's a senior who has been with us for years. Every penny goes to caring for him and the rest of our animals. 😺🐶

02/28/2026

Our beloved teacher, Ms. Bernie, is currently navigating the aftermath of a building fire that has displaced her from her home. Please keep her in your thoughts during this time. If you would like to contribute to a group gift to show her some love and support, please reach out to Michelle.

While Ms. Bernie is away, other members of our RE children’s program team have agreed to step in to substitute teach, ensuring continuity for our children and their families. We are so grateful for this community of support!

March Theme: Paying Attention
This month, our theme In RE is Paying Attention, and throughout March our children will explore the power and purpose of attention in their lives.

The Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus reminds us, “You become what you give your attention to. If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will.”This quote beautifully captures our focus for the month. Paying attention is not simply about avoiding distraction or sharpening our focus. It is about shaping our character and fine-tuning our hearts.

Together, we will reflect on 4 of the 5 following “Powers of Paying Attention”:

Session One: The Power of Paying Attention to Our Impact on Others
Session Two: The Power of Paying Attention to Inequality
Session Three: The Power of Paying Attention to the Present Moment
Session Four: The Power of Paying Attention to Our Relationship with Water
Session Five: The Power of Paying Attention to the Wisdom Within

Our first session invites children to consider the importance of noticing those who are suffering and recognizing the power they have to help. In Session Three, we explore Buddhism’s call to pay attention to the present moment, connecting with our UU value of religious pluralism. This intentional use of attention also reflects our UU value of Equity, which challenges us to “use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.”

RE Play Day

The last Sunday of the month is an unstructured RE Play Day for the children. On this Sunday, there is no formal lesson or official teacher. Children are encouraged to connect with one another and strengthen their sense of community through child-led play. They may use the playroom and the games available in the RE room (this includes access to some craft supplies: play-doh, markers, crayons, and paper). Parents provide supervision and support with cleanup as needed.

Warmly,

Michelle DiLorenzo
RE Chair

01/28/2026

Standing on the Side of Love. UU Clergy bear witness, join protests and provide mutual aid in Minneapolis