Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Weaving the Web

December 29, 2006
Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

[ed. note: The following column continues from the Dec. 1, 2006 issue.]

7. We have several babies arriving at UUCPA over the next few months, and that means Baby Cafe. If you don’t have a baby in your life, sign up to bring a meal! You’ll be reaching out to parents who need community support, and you’ll probably get a chance to hold the baby too (if he or she is awake!).

8. Get Better Bistro helps people of all ages who are recuperating from illness or surgery, and is most utilized by elders. If you’re not an elder, sign up, or drop the Caring Network a line if you can coordinate a Get Better Bistro.

9. Speaking of Caring Network, when you read about a joy or concern that touches your heart, but the person is a lot older or younger than you, don’t hesitate to drop a line. Experiences like anxiously waiting for college admissions, losing a pet, getting an exciting job, worrying about a grownup child, having a dangerously sick relative resonate across generations, and reaching out to say you are celebrating or mourning along with them builds bridges like nothing else.

10. Whenever you’re planning an event and you’re assuming it is mostly for people of a certain age range, ask yourself if people of other ages might enjoy being part of it. If so, reach out to them especially so they know they’re welcome.

11. Sometimes age is an accessibility issue. To make young children welcome at an event, provide child care and/or a special activity (the Auction did this beautifully with a live auction just for kids, who bid with candy instead of dollars, and a movie). To welcome people with mobility challenges (who are disproportionately, though not only, from our elder population), make sure it’s held at the church or another location that’s handicapped accessible.

12. Not a parent of a child in our program? Teach a term of Children’s Religious Education, or be a special guest in the classroom, Cool Deeds or Family Chapel. Don’t have a teen at home? Be a mentor to a Coming-of-Ager. Not an elder? Give a presentation on your area of expertise to Elder Journey.

13. Every Sunday, speak to someone on the patio who is at least twenty years older or younger than you.

Have fun!

— Blessings,
Amy