HUGS Mothers Group
Wednesdays at 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.
September 2021: Supporting Mental Health
HUGS Monthly mission: Blessings in a Backpack Rochester (Blessings in a Backpack) Hygiene Kits for Blessings in a Backpack. Sometimes “simple” things like a fresh toothbrush or a clean face can be tremendous morale boosters. We’re collecting travel sized hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap (neutral or non-floral scent), deodorant, hand sanitizer for backpacks, purse/travel pack tissues, fun 3-D erasers & gallon ziplock bags to pack the supplies. Please drop them off by Sept. 12th at Sue’s house (4657 Fawn Hill Ct, Roch.) or Steph’s house (163 Sugar Pine Rd, RH). We’ll transport the supplies to St Paul’s for the Sunday September 19 packing at 11 am (directly after the service). All ages welcome to help with the packing! The HUGS bigs will help the littles.
15 Mugs & Hugs – OFF CAMPUS – We know the start of the school year can be crazy busy, so we
will ease into the new year with a field trip to Sue’s house for coffee and conversation (4657 Fawn Hill Court, Rochester 48306) (248-672-1004). Pop over when you can, starting at 9:30 and staying til 11:30 or so. Kiddos are welcome!
22 Meet and Greet – (normal 9:30 start) at the Playground at St. Paul’s. This starts our official kick-off for anyone too frenzied to meet during our back-to-school chaos! We look forward to welcoming new faces and catching up with old friends!
At noon, we’ll be back on the playground for a Popsicles on the Playground for a chance to meet and mingle with the St. Paul’s preschool moms and tots
23 Popsicles on the Playground – Part 2 (Thursday at Noon) Playground at St. Paul’s – Because who doesn’t like popsicles more than once a week? Join us for fellowship and popsicles with the tue/th St Paul’s Preschool moms and tots.
29 Prayer Stations – Start at Playground at St Paul’s It’s a perfect time to reboot, try out some different prayer/meditation practices and get inspired by our theme verse. Weather permitting, let’s meet outside by the playground and ultimately end up by the Garden of Hope (located out front opposite of Hickey Hall).
OCTOBER: Embracing Self-Care
HUGS Monthly mission: Assistance League’s Operation School Bell on Wednesday October 20th
6 Fall Fun (Amy L’s house 1980 Tall Oaks, RH) NOTE: Off-Campus- – Let’s start practicing self-care with a fall treat and fellowship for us! Inspired by the tip toe into fall, we’ll enjoy cider and doughnuts and fellowship.
Also, to get inspired for the fall rummage sale, we’ll bring in a book or two for a twist on our Swap & Drop! (If you happen to be looking for certain items in advance of the rummage sale, feel free to post any requests on our FB page). Bring a book, take a book. Anything left over can be donated to the rummage sale.
13 Sanity Savers: We’ll discuss ways that mommas pivoting through Covid can find ways to practice essential self care as they juggle everyday life.
20 (Specific Start Time TBD) Service Project & Fellowship time: Operation School Bell –(Meet at the Playground and then proceed to Hickey Hall when they’re ready for us) Back by popular demand – an opportunity for us to serve school-aged children. With covid protocols, we will only be able to have 10 HUGS members helping (the pack will be at St Paul’s – so similar to the “ghost shopping” done in past years for kiddos who weren’t at school that day). We’ll have other service activities on campus for the hands that aren’t helping with the Operation School Bell Activity. The Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan sponsors many meaningful programs, including this one. We will be helping children in Pontiac by “shopping” for them from the items in Hickey Hall (winter coat, hat, gloves, pants, tops, underwear, socks, hygiene kit, book and duffel bag). We will provide details on exact time closer to the event. Our “uniform” for the day must be black pants and a white shirt. We also need 6-8 folks to help pack the truck and then unload at the Pontiac school (Alcott Elementary 460 West Kennett. Pontiac, MI 48340)– that will likely happen around 3pm. Camille Doerr will have the forms for us to return to participate in this event.
27 Crafting & Conversation – We will get our creative juices flowing and actively consider what it means to encourage and lift up fellow moms as Paul directs in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We will create a reminder to take with us and share with other moms. This will be an easy “craft” that requires no expertise to complete. You won’t want to miss it!
NOVEMBER: Practicing Gratitude
HUGS Monthly mission: Neighborhood House (1720 S Livernois Rochester Hills, MI 48307. Rochester Area Neighborhood House) Restock the school supplies – Neighborhood House patrons will likely be seeking new pencils, pens, notebooks & highlighters once the new semester starts in January. Let’s collect items this entire month and we’ll take them to the Neighborhood House in early December.
3 Gaining Time for Gratitude– Field trip to Cranberry Lake Park (388 W Predmore Road, Oakland TWP, Michigan 48363) NOTE: Off-Campus Cranberry lake park
Park in the second larger parking lot. Let’s enjoy the Storybook Garden and prayer labyrinth created by St Paul’s High Schoolers.
10 Growing Our Gratitude – we’ll spend the morning sharing ways we teach our kiddos gratitude and consider how the lessons change as our kiddos age.
17 Giving Gratitude – remember our October craft? Let’s share our Getting HUGS wisdom with other moms who need it. Feel free to bring a friend for fellowship time.
24 NO HUGS – Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your families!
DECEMBER: Celebrating Advent
HUGS Meetings & Monthly Mission: Now that the weather precludes us from meeting outdoors, we’ll meet in the Parlor (at the front of the building as you walk in the main door). We’ll continue to meet from 9:30-11:15 am. This month we’re supporting St. Paul’s Christmas baskets – we are seeking donations towards gift cards for the families we will serve. We would also like the kiddos make cards to send along with the gift cards. We can collect the funds and hand-made cards or you can deliver your contributions directly. Please note: If the Rochester Schools are closed for weather-related reasons, HUGS is cancelled as well.
1 How to Turn the Holidays into Holy Days – Let’s share traditions we have in our own families or tips we’ve acquired and want to implement.
8 Mindfulness – Let’s share ways to help us regain our peace as we rush head on with Christmas preparations!
15 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION – We’ll take this opportunity to be merry and bright as we prepare for Christmas. Please feel welcome to come whether this is the first time you’ve been to HUGS or whether you are a seasoned veteran!
22 & 29 We are off on Christmas break until January 12!