We’re starting our May All Ages Activity a little early. May 1 is also known as May Day. May Day’s roots go back to an ancient holiday known in the pagan Celtic world as Beltane. It is halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. Beltane celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of all the living world: plants, animals and humans. Maypole dances that use colored ribbons attached to a pole are a beautiful part of traditional May Day celebrations. 

In honor of this ancient European custom, and in preparation for May Day, we’re going to decorate our beloved climbing tree with gratitude ribbons. This pandemic year has been one of many challenges. As the days get longer and vaccines become more widely available, there is now hope in the air. It is a good time to take stock and count our blessings. 

Please visit the church and write something that you’re grateful for on a ribbon and tie it to the tree. Look for the sign. If you are feeling abundantly blessed, write a couple. While you’re there, enjoy the beautiful flowering native plants that the Grounds Committee has been lovingly nurturing. 

Ribbons and markers can be found in the plastic container by the front door starting Monday, April 26 through Monday, May 3, 10 am to 7 pm (new longer hours for our longer days). 

Distance Option: If you aren’t able to  visit the church, email your words of gratitude to the office email officeuufrc@gmail.com by May 2 and put “Ribbons” in the subject line. Crystal will make a ribbon for you and hang it on the tree. 

For the slideshow: Take a photo of you and your ribbon. Please photograph your ribbon so that we can read it. (Horizontals work best.)  Send photos to Erika Pretell erika.pretell@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 5.

Come to the service on Sunday, May 16, to see the slide show and hear a related Time for All Ages story during the service. 

By the beginning of May, I hope the neighbourhood will  see our tree aflutter with ribbons that symbolize all the many things for which we are grateful. 

Have fun!
— Lillian

Lillian Svec
Interim Director of Youth & Family Programming