Children and Youth in RE Set To Vote on May Share The Plate!
All People Need a Voice – from “My 7 Principles, A Child’s Booklet” by the UUA
Share the Plate is a bold program of radical generosity. Giving away 50% of our weekly collection allows our church community to significantly deepen our social justice mission by connecting us to the people and organizations that are shaping our world in ways that align with our congregation’s mission and values. Our children will have three terrific choices for their April Share the Plate vote in Religious Education:
- Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin (GRROW)—an organization with an active presence in Milwaukee—rescues and rehabilitates Golden Retrievers so they can be adopted by families. Some of these dogs are abandoned due to a household move, neglect or abuse, or allergies—or that the family can no longer care for the animal due to medical costs. GRROW fosters the dog in a caring household, covering its medical bills, until the dog is ready to be adopted by its new family. http://www.grrow.org/
- Residents for Off-leash Parks (ROMP) advocates for off-leash dog exercise areas in Milwaukee County where dogs can run free and play safe. Their mission is to establish and maintain off-leash dog exercise areas in Milwaukee County, through community and municipal partnerships, where dogs can exercise in safe, clean environments viewed as valuable assets within the community. http://milwaukeedogparks.org/
- Seniors Rock (Saving the Seniors) is dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of primarily senior abandoned, neglected, and homeless dogs within the state of Wisconsin, with the goal of finding them safe, loving, and forever homes. http://www.seniorsrockss.com/
The concept of Share the Plate and the organizations chosen to be put to a vote will be introduced on March 13 or 20 during Children’s RE class time; voting will take place during our RE First Sunday activities on April 3. All K5-12th Graders present that day will get to vote on the organization to receive our church’s donations from the May offering plate collections.
More information about these organizations will be provided in “kid friendly” language to both children and parents in the weeks ahead. Limited classroom time will also be used to help inform the young people of their options. I invite parents/guardians to take some time to research these groups before April 3 and talk to your child through the pros and cons of supporting each one with their vote. This is a great opportunity to help children learn that their vote and voice can truly make a difference! Questions? Contact our DRE Beryl Aschenberg, at 414-273-5257 or email at beryl@uumilwaukee.org
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Beryl Aschenberg is First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee’s Director of Religious Education.
First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee is a home for spiritual community, social justice, and intellectual freedom, active in Milwaukee since 1842. Unitarian Universalism is an inclusive denomination; core principles include recognition of the worth and dignity of every person; respect for the interdependent web of existence; and the goal of world peace, liberty and justice.