“The most moving look I ever saw from a child in the woods was on a mud bar by the footprints of a heron. We were on our knees, making handprints beside the footprints. You could feel the creek vibrating in the silt and sand. The sun beat down heavily on our hair. Our shoes were soaking wet. The look said: I did not know until now that I needed someone much older to confirm this, the feeling I have of life here. I can now grow older, knowing it need never be lost.” 

–Barry Lopez (from the essay “Children in the Woods”)

Accompanying a child on a path of wonderment and spiritual discovery is a precious gift and a privilege that is all too fleeting. In fact, as a parent and someone who works in a community of children, I experience many of my most spiritually awakened moments in the company of children–children who grow so quickly I really have to stop and question the reality of the consistency in which time passes. 

Children are eager to learn the “ways of the world.” As adults we often have a primal enthusiasm to impart our wisdom. This is good. But we must do so with care and intention, because it is in this freshness of childhood that hope for what may be possible in this world has an opening. So while a child learns to find their way around the dominant constructs formed by adults, on their path to becoming one, there is the risk of losing the potential of some other miraculous way of being and living, thriving.

‘What is it?’ you may ask. I say, come and ask them. Bring your open mind, your open heart, your own eagerness to learn. Share your wisdom, by all means, but prepare, too, for your own revelation. Affirm their experiences of awe and mystery, wondering without a need to know all the answers. Discover how all ages can work together to build beloved community. Come, journey alongside our young people; place your handprint next to theirs, amongst the many prints of the humans and all beings of this earth.

If you are an adult congregant in our First Unitarian community, I ask you to thoughtfully consider if this may be the time and place in your path to support the young people of this congregation by volunteering in the Learning Community. This is a sacred opportunity to connect with our children, youth, and families while working together with other volunteers. Many teachers continue to volunteer for years, while others serve for a year, either way deepening your connections at First Unitarian. Curricula, resources, and training are provided. We require a commitment to teach at least two Sundays per month but offer flexibility in scheduling. Minimal preparation time is required and is flexible based on your availability–we want to support your involvement and balance and value a diverse teaching team. 

If you have not already considered volunteering in the Learning Community, whether for the first time or if you’ve volunteered in the past, please take some time to think about it. Hold the possibility for a little while before deciding to turn away. We need a robust team of volunteers to make this program possible. I would love to talk with you and explore together what this opportunity could look like for you. I hope you join us for worship this Sunday to hear a montage of credo reflections from youth in our Learning Community. Afterwards, I will be in Fuller Hall available for conversation or email me now at cscheffman@firstunitarianportland.org to set up a time to talk next week. 

This Sunday will be my last Sunday at church for a while, and next week will be my last week working before I take a period of sabbatical until mid August. I am deeply grateful that First Unitarian offers this opportunity for ministers and program leader staff to take time away for rest and renewal. For me, this happens to coincide with my tenth anniversary on staff at First Unitarian (fifth as Director of Family Ministries). If you have questions after next week about volunteering, please reach out to Nicole Bowmer, Associate Director of Family Ministries, at nbowmer@firstunitarianportland.org.

If you are ready to apply to be a volunteer teacher in the Learning Community, you can begin the process now by completing this application.

2023-24 Learning Community Volunteer Application  

May you find time and spaciousness for rest and renewal this summer, being present to the glory and beauty of new life and growth around us. May you be inspired. 

Warmly,

Cassandra