Pinterest Pick Thursday

One Thursday every month my daughter's preschool loads 24 preschoolers onto a school bus and takes them 15 minutes down the road to our local retirement community.  There, they color, sing, read and play with their 'grandfriends.'  Last spring, in my sermon 'It Takes a Village,' I expressed a wish - that every adult in this congregation would become honorary aunts, uncles and grandparents.

My daughter, Lily, with my mother, Rae Jane, her Oma (grandmother).

With the bitter cold weather we have been experiencing the past couple of days (and will continue to experience), I image some of our 'grandfriends' and honorary grandparents may feel shut in.  So, this week, I am encouraging all of you to build community by reaching out and making connections.

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Grand Fun with Grandfriends

Faith Formation Component
Community

Time for Activity
A Half Day

Recommended Age
All Ages

Materials
Cooking / Baking Supplies, Craft Supplies and Activity Supplies (see below for specifics)

Activity
I've had a terrible head cold for just over a week now.  And, I can tell you, it is rough being cooped up at home.  Help relieve someones social isolation with these easy steps:

• Choose an Elder
• Gather your family and discuss who you would like to visit - a close friend, a recent widow(er), a shut-in
• Call that elder up and invite yourself over - be polite about it of course, make sure they want company.
• Assure the elder that you and your family will take care of everything - food, clean up, activities, etc.
• Be sure to ask the elder if there is anything specific you can do for them - prepare a weeks worth of meals, clean their house, walk their dog, etc.
• Make a Gift
• Make a gift to thank your host for having your over (after all, you did just invite yourself - jerk ;-) ).  Make something useful, sentimental, or both.  Of, just let your child's imagination run wild.

• Prepare Food
• You'll need to eat.  So, with your children, prepare a meal you can take over.  Prepare your families favorite meal or choose one of the kid friendly recipes from Pint Sized Treasures or Childhood 101.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, even children as young as one can crush crackers.
• Prepare an Activity
• It can be hard for people to connect across generations.  Even families and family friends may find it difficult to interact with children or with elders.  You can help facilitate this connection by bringing along an activity.  My three suggestions are:
• Bring your families favorite game.
• Bring your families favorite movie.
• Prepare a game of 'Minute to Win it.'

When it comes to church, especially UU churches, community is paramount.  But, community doesn't build itself.  And, this weather doesn't help, as it keeps people inside, in their homes, where it is warm and familiar.  But, human are social beings - even us socially awkward ones (like me).  So, it is up to us to make the effort, to build community.

Original Sources
Gift ideas from Unsophisticook, Dad Vs. Wild, and The Thrifty Couple.
'Minute to Win it' Game can be found at The Chaos and the Clutter.

Wishing you well,

- Ms. Meredith