March 9, 2019

"All religions, arts, and sciences are branches of the same tree" Albert Einstein   Dear Aspen Chapel Families,        Tomorrow we spring forward! Don't forget to change your clocks! Hopefully we'll all be motivated to get an early start now that the sun is finally shining!        In Sunday school we are continuing our inquiry into World Religions. Obviously as our children get older and take Social Studies classes, they'll learn the history behind so many religions, what the roots were that religions around the world were born from, the cultural and political implications of various religions, the geographic origins of religions, and all the varieties of religions that have branched off into smaller belief systems.       The goal at this young age is to instill a sense of tolerance and respect for people who believe differently. When we share answers to questions or our thoughts, just in our little circle of young people at the Aspen Chapel, the diversity of thought is evident. When we create a safe place to question, wonder, share, make mistakes, speculate, and disagree, this sets children up for an open-minded approach to life as they meet new ideas, people, and experiences. The goal is not to have them memorize religions, symbols, or rituals. It's merely to open them up to the fact that we share our our planet with millions of people, and despite our different religions, we share many similarities.      Tomorrow the Sunday School children will continue discussing the idea of different beliefs, then they will draw images that represent what they believe, getting them used to the idea that they may have different images/beliefs than their neighbor, friend, or sibling! We'll then have story time and conclude with a guided meditation.      Speaking of World Religions, I will not be at the Aspen Chapel for the next two weeks (17th and 24th). I will be leading a student trip to Mumbai and a remote village called Chinchoti. In Mumbai we'll visit the Gandhi museum, visit a Jain temple, and work with Hindus and Muslims in a community center in the slums. My host family in Chinchoti wakes in the very early morning to honor Hindu Gods with marigolds, candles and incense. I'll be excited to share pictures and stories with the Sunday School children upon return. We are honored to have Drew Sorenson, our former Sunday School teacher, and Perrin Elisha, a parent and congregation member, teach Sunday School.      Also, due to an illness, we are postponing our rehearsals with Dan Sheridan until I return. He was unable to rehearse our song with the Sunday School last Sunday, the 3rd, so they're not ready to perform tomorrow. We will set a new date and I will keep you informed about the students singing for the congregation!!    Have a wonderful weekend and we hope to see you all tomorrow!  If you ever have any questions regarding our services or your children's needs, please email me at michelle@aspenchapel.org In Peace and Blessings, Michelle Skagen Aspen Chapel Youth Coordinator