UUCC Hendricks County

Quotes

“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.” – Pablo Picasso

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”  – Albert Einstein

“Creativity takes courage.”   – Henri Matisse

 “An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.” – Oscar Wilde

 “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”  – Martha Graham

“The question is not if we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

A family that creates together, has fun together!

Interested in raising creative children? Then it’s time for you to play along! Research shows that children tend to be more creative if they see their parents participate in creative activities as well. Below are a few ideas, but there are many books on instilling creativity in the home!

Instead of pulling out the art supplies and paper for your child, pull up a seat and join in the fun! Allow children to create masterpieces from a variety of materials. Side note: if your children are into coloring books, and you’re not into the latest Spiderman or LalaLoopsy books, you can find a great line of thematic coloring books- such as Henna tattoos, paisley prints, flowers, and fashion, over at Michaels. Coloring with older children can be a great way to open the lines of communication in a relaxing environment.

Build something together! Get out the hammer and nails and create something- either a design of your own or follow plans. Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot also have kid-friendly classes too! Don’t be afraid to show your children how to fix things around the house. Not only is it practical, but it shows real-life problem solving strategies.

Praise your child when you see him/her using creative problem solving skills. Role play creative ways to work through difficult situations.

Try new foods! Cook together and experiment by trying a new twist on your family’s favorite recipes. Having an ethnic food night? Pull up appropriate music to match and dance along!

– By Renee Bowman

There are so many ways to be creative in our lives. We all know that people who engage in music, written and visual arts are creative. And yet creativity is about so much more than that.

Creativity calls us to step outside of the way we have done things before. Creativity helps us to problem solve in new ways. In the story that was the center of our first service this month the children of the town addressed their concern by being silly rather than mean.

Creativity is essential as we address the problems in this world. It is a skill that allows us to consider the other side. It allows us to look at a variety of ways to address problems until we find what works.

As you look at this packet you’ll notice many elements. The purpose is to help all of us explore each topic in a variety of ways. Near the end there are questions. I invite you to consider one or more questions as you go through the month.

I am pleased that a few people contributed this month. I hope as time goes on you will contribute songs, artwork, poems, music and books or your own thoughts on the theme of the month.

In Faith –

Rev. Jennifer Gray