YFM LESSON RECAP OF THE WEEK
On Sunday, we continued exploring the Power of Understanding through a number of thought-provoking conversations.
We introduced the children to Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s use of the Jackal and Giraffe metaphors to describe different ways of responding to misunderstanding. Dr. Rosenberg wrote Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, which the adults studied together in the spring of 2024.
The Jackal represents responses that attack, blame, or rely on right-versus-wrong thinking—speaking from a judgmental mind. The Giraffe, with its large heart, represents responses grounded in empathy: making clear observations, identifying feelings, recognizing underlying needs, and making actionable requests.
We explored this distinction through a real-life example. If a friend who had asked to eat pancakes with us didn't show up for Sunday lessons, would sending them a picture of us eating pancakes be a “Jackal response”? Or could we send a picture expressing that we wished they were with us—something that felt authentically loving, or came from the Giraffe heart?
There was no single “right” answer. Instead, we explored how we might look toward God, the Divine, or the Christ within to help us know how to respond to and support our absent friend.
Our other happenstance conversation arose from the question: Is there a Power within misunderstanding? What power or potential might emerge from a misunderstanding? Again, there was no one specific answer—but there was certainly an invitation to sit in Divine curiosity and embrace the “unknowing.”
How can we seek to understand those with whom we disagree socially or politically? How might curiosity open the door to greater compassion? Join us and share what you know, so that together, as a commUnity, we can continue to strengthen our Powers.
ABOUT UCP'S YFM PROGRAM
We invite you to join us at Unity Center of Peace on Sundays at 11:00am with your younger family members. While you enjoy our Celebration Service in the sanctuary, they will benefit from participating in our robust, loving, nurturing curriculum for children and youth. All programs are age-appropriate and are led by our carefully selected, and fully background checked, Spiritual Education staff members.
Our YFM rooms are in the upstairs part of the building and Sunday School resides from 11am-12:10pm. Please be sure to sign your child in using the clipboard on the door. Near the end of service, the children will be brought downstairs by the Youth Ed teacher to give a brief announcement about what they did and what they learned and to receive a special UCP blessing by the minister and congretation. We currently do not have a program for teens (Y.O.U). Teens are encouraged to sit in the Sunday Service with their parents at this time.
OUR YFM VISION STATEMENT
We envision young people growing up with a clear grasp of their spiritual nature and power, living from their ability to make a difference in the world, to express love, to choose kindness, to relate authentically, and to model spiritual values.
