Hello and Bright Blessings!

I have just a few announcements and updates for you as we continue prep for our 2022-23 program year! Our school year programming will officially begin the first Sunday in September, but there’s a lot of work to do first! 

There will be a training workshop for current and potential RE and Youth Group Guides and Advisors on Saturday, August 20th. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or learning more about RE is encouraged to attend. Please sign up to attend here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094ea4a728a6f49-reyg 

We are seeking 3-5 committed individuals to make up UUCT’s RE Team. This team will work with staff to plan, develop, and implement our RE programing for children, youth, and families. If this is something you are interested in or would like more information about, please contact me as soon as possible.

Part of the RE Team’s role will be to provide continuity for the program through staffing transitions, which UUCT will be experiencing at the end of the 2022-23 church year. Rev. Holly, the Board, and I have agreed that I will continue to serve UUCT remotely for the 2022-23 church year and support the congregation through their search for a new DRE, who will hopefully start in summer 2023. At that time, UUCT will also be welcoming a new developmental minister, as Rev. Holly’s time as our interim minister will be coming to an end. This next year will be an exciting and busy time full of opportunities to foster sustainability and creativity in our programming, and I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside you all. 

We are at an interesting point in our journey together, and the time has come for you all to take a firmer grasp of the reins of your RE program for the coming transitions. You have the opportunity to decide how you want to show up for our children, families, and youth as a congregation. That certainly can be a daunting task, but fortunately we have a year to figure it out together. I have every confidence that UUCT will rise to the challenge and continue to have strong, supportive programming for children, youth, and families. Whichever of my colleagues gets to serve you next will be just as lucky as I am to know and love this congregation and our kids.

We will be scheduling some forum meetings and sending out surveys throughout July and August, and in the meantime, I encourage you to email me and let me know two things – 

1. What are your hopes and intentions for our RE program?
2. In what ways can you support making those hopes and intentions a reality?

As always, please feel empowered to contact me via email at uuctdre2810@gmail.com or at my work cell number at 850-329-0602 if you have any questions or concerns. I strive to return all messages within two business days. I look forward to connecting with you soon.

In Joy and Adventure,

Helen Cassara
Director of Religious Exploration
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