People come to church for many reasons. Sometimes it is about seeking a feeling of belonging. Sometimes it is about challenging their mind. Sometimes it is for greater clarity of thought. Sometimes it is to have their heart and spirit stirred. Children often come to church because their parents/guardians bring them. Although, in some cases, the children bring the adults. (As was true in my childhood!)  But whatever the reason for coming, if relationships are not developed, the connection is often not sustainable.

One thing that is wonderful about this UU community is the amount of connection that people try to make. It can be quite the challenge when there is not a building identity to meet at. But between our office, your homes, and local venues like the Poulsbo Library and the BI Boys and Girls Club, we make it work! We offer several opportunities for classes where people can connect.  Teaching teams, choir, worship associates, book groups, dinner nights, and a family support group also provides opportunities to meet each other and build friendships and connections.

My goal this year has been to help the children and youth connect with each other and build stronger relationships (so there are more children bringing the adults to church than vice versa! Ha!) We have had so much fun having gatherings together and I truly appreciate the volunteer teachers who have met with their class for this kind of “outside-of-Sunday”, fun! This has also provided a great service for some families to have a couple of hours to do errands or spend some one-on-one time with another child.

Our K-2^nd grade class met for a game day at the Boys and Girls club and recently held a “Magical Creatures” party where they made magic potions (for Peace, Courage or Kindness), fairy dolls, and edible magic wands and spiders! The children and adults were amazed to find that fairies indeed live in the garden at the church office!

3^rd-5^th grade gathered for a Super Hero party and made masks, ate pizza and played group games. Our Middle School group have been meeting almost monthly in a variety of ways…a Fall game night, a sleepover at the church office, caroling with the Choir, sledding, attending the area Jr Youth conference, and they are planning a camping trip for late July.

High School has gone to the Haunted Fair Grounds, gave out lucky pennies and flowers on Friday the 13^th, and are planning to do some marriage equality social action work and support members of the group by attending their performance of The Music Man.

In all these ways, we build a foundation for relationship development for our young people, so they can recognize and want to see people they connect with and share a common value! Once these relationships and warm memories are established, then we can connect in common community and begin the process of learning together. (Principle #3)

An exciting opportunity to connect together is in the works for June 10! Mark your calendar for the All Church Picnic, held after church, adults, teens and children together! There will be more information coming, but it will be potluck, group games, great conversation and an opportunity to thank our leadership for this year.

Revs. Barbara & Jaco ten Hove, Co-ministers

This annual All Ages service celebrates the many specific transitions we face as we move through the Wheel of Life. Come help us ritually share and celebrate the various important changes that have shaped and animated us this past year.

The camp lasts for six days, from August 11-17, 2012 at Seabeck Conference Center in Seabeck, Washington. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience of arts exploration and play, community, worship and community togetherness.

Our own Rev. Barbara will be Chaplain. Since the July and August Eliots usually fill up quickly, this new camp is a great way to get in on the ground floor of a wonderful new camp.

There is still space available for this first year camp; check it out! Details and registration information on at www.eliotinstitute.org

To celebrate 50 years of Unitarian Universalism in the Pacific Northwest, the District Assembly heads to Alaska. Both Revs. Barbara and Jaco will represent Cedars as will Director of Religious Education, Candee Cole. All three will be away from Cedars from May 17–May 23.

You can learn more about this year’s assembly at the PNWD website.

Change sounds good. It often even feels good, once the change has occurred. But actually going through change can be another matter. Someone once said that no one likes change except a wet baby and even the baby cries in the midst of it. Change is hard.

Yet, it truly is the only constant in this world of ours. Our bodies change as we grow and age. Our family changes as new family members join or leave. Our neighborhoods change as new homes are built, new families move in or out, and trees grow or are cut down. Change can be hard.

And, of course, our church changes along with everything else. New leaders emerge, new ideas and activities are tried while others get dropped, new people come into our beloved community. And while this is happening, some among us take breaks from leadership and sometimes folks leave us. It can be hard to look around and see more new faces than familiar ones. It can feel strange to discover that other people love some of the new things happening while others miss the old ways. Change can be hard.

So how do we handle it? We stay connected as we transition—that’s the key. If we understand deep down that change is inevitable and cannot be stopped, then it’s imperative that we learn to go with the flow and do our part to help things unfold in positive directions. While we do so, if we stay connected those who are having the hardest time with the change can feel support and care. And those who are exhilarated can remember to occasionally slow down and check in with the rest of us.

Change is hard. But it is essential to human growth. Our Unitarian Universalist faith teaches us that spiritual growth (aka change!) takes place best within the arms of community. Our faith teaches us that change is not to be feared but to be accepted as a natural part of the evolutionary process. And our faith teaches us that we have the power to effect change and must use that power wisely.

As summer waits enticingly around the corner and the planet once again reminds us that variable but reliable cycles are its earthly essence, let us commit to staying connected through whatever change is bound to come, in our personal and shared realms.

All the best,

Want to join the choir? Speak to Chris Smellow, Choir Director.

Choir Practice is held:

• Every Wednesday
• 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Church of the Latter Day Saints (next to Ordway School)
• 8677 Madison Ave NE, Bainbridge Island

Want to learn more about Cedars’ Programs and Groups? Then plan to linger during coffee hour on Sunday, May 20 for the Annual Cedars’ Opportunity Fair! Many of the various groups and programs will have tables where you can learn more and sign up to participate.

• Sunday, May 27
• 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm
• 610 N.E. Vineyard Lane, Bainbridge Island
• Vineyard Lane Community Room