Grade Level- 1st-5th Grade
Monthly Theme- “Possibility”
We are Unitarian Universalists
The church of the open mind, loving heart, and helping hands.
Together we care for earth, and work for peace and friendship in our world.
Joys and Sorrows
Children go around the circle and check-in on how they are doing today.
Message: It is possible to make a difference
Spiritual Focus: The Spirituality of Justice
We UU’s are an idealistic, hopeful people. One of our beliefs is that it is possible to make a difference in the world. Our spiritual practice is justice making. Celebrate the possibility of change today by sharing the story of the recent change in marriage equality. Support those who are working for change and predict the future with the traditional children’s paper folded Fortune teller (aka a Cootie Catcher.)
Props: a rainbow flag or other flag or banner easily accessed.
Who knows what this is? It’s the Rainbow Flag (or other) which represents our support of Lesbians, Gays, Transgender, Queer and Questioning people. It is flown in the Gay Pride Parade. It used to be that only one man and one woman could be married. Now, since June 26, 2016, all people who love each other can be legally married. That was only two years ago! How old were you then? Invite answers.
So there is the possibility of change. For our month exploring being a people of possibility, we are going to think about the possibility of change. We Unitarian Universalists believe that it is possible to make a difference and we work for justice.
Peace
“Poetic and soothing, Peace is a masterful exploration of the true path to world peace and serves as a perfect springboard to discussions about bullying, conflict resolution, and right actions.” - Amazon
Theme Connection: The path to peace is the path to the possibility of change.
Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa
“...based on the true story of Wangari Maathai, an environmental and political activist in Kenya and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans.” - Amazon
Theme Connection: It is possible to make a difference.
The Clearwater
https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/multigenerational/gather/workshop8/149703.shtml
“Less than a year later, in April of 1970, the Clearwater sailed down the Hudson River and out into the Atlantic Ocean, down past New Jersey and Delaware and Virginia, and into the Chesapeake Bay and up the Potomac River, right to the capital of the United States: Washington, DC. Clearwater went to Washington for the very first Earth Day, 40 years ago, to help teach people about how to help keep our land clean and our water clear. - from the story.
Theme Connection: Pete Seeger sought out the possibility of changing the polluted Hudson River and succeeded!
Orbiting the Sun
Materials: DVD/PC/Laptop to play the following video: https://www.pbs.org/video/religion-and-ethics-newsweekly-sufi-whirling-dervishes/.
Play music, preferably a UU hymn or song. (Please don’t play “sufi-esque” music, we want to be careful not to misappropriate the practices of other.)
We will practice the contemplation of change/turning, not exactly as the Sufi’s do it, but inspired by their practice of using the body to experience a great turning or change in life.
It is important that we remain silent during this meditation.
Start slowly, imagine your limbs are planets and your body is the sun. (If spinning doesn’t work for your body, you may adapt this and mimic turning with your arms/bodies and in your own way.) Spin clockwise, slowly and careful not to harm others, and notice how you feel.
Does the repetitive motion make you feel dizzy, does it make you happy, does it make you peaceful?
Keep spinning and imagine that the sun you revolve around lights the way to peace and happiness for all.
From Rev. Jaelynn P. Scott, Soul Matters Youth Meditation Consultant
Send Postcards to fellow activists
“Send a postcard of solidarity and support to local organizers. Download and print these postcards on cardstock and send them to folks you’re building with in your community. ... color & write messages of love together. Regular postage rates apply.”
If You Want Justice and You Know It, Clap Your Hands - The Possibility of Change
https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/journeys/session11/132571.shtml
Ripple Kindness Cards
https://ripplekindness.org/get-your-kindness-cards-here/
Order the cards from Etsy or make your own, in order to encourage children to “Pay It Forward.”
Paper Fortunetellers (aka Cootie Catchers) for predicting change in the future
For the fortunes which are unfolded inside, invite the children to think of ways that someone might change the world. They will need 8 small phrases, so they might want to brainstorm and share ideas. Some examples:
You will practice love this week.
You will be a witness against injustice soon.
You will be kind to four leggeds tomorrow.
You will care for Mother Earth endlessly.
You will help another today.
You will create peace this week.
You will meditate for calm today.
You will open your heart this week.
“Sunshine” (connection with nature and our bodies)/ Movement
Invite all to join in a body prayer and stand up.
THE PRAYER SCRIPT (SAY THREE TIMES):
We begin with our hands in front of us
to find our inner quiet.
We raise our arms up high
to open ourselves to the Spirit of Life, God of Love, Ultimate Mystery, Sacred Spirit.
We bring our hands to our hearts
to affirm the strength of our inner voice.
We extend our hands out in front of us
to offer our self in service to others.
From Eric Bliss, Youth Specialist Pacific Western Region, UUA
Service
Practice Your Fortune teller Future
Spend some time making your fortune teller future come true. How will you open your heart or meditate, or care for Mother Earth?