The Story of St. Francis

VOLUNTEER PREPARATION IN ADVANCE:

• READ: If you’re unfamiliar with the story of St. Francis, read the book provided, or read the article linked here.

• PRAY:  Ask that God would give you a heart for God’s creation and the marginalized like that of St. Francis.

• ROLES: Determine who will lead the lesson and activity.

8:45 AM/4:45 PM WELCOME

• Play music from the bluetooth speaker, connecting to one of the linked Mission Kids playlists, or playing soft, calm music.

• Set up a tabletop activity: playdoh, puzzles, craft supplies.

• Families drop off children. One volunteer greets each child at the door by name.

• Engage with the children as they sit at the table or free play. Having an activity for them to participate in right when they enter the room can be a really helpful way to transition into the space.

9:15 AM/5:15 PM TRANSITION AND CLEAN UP

• To signify transition, lead in the following song…

• When clean up is over, say loudly: “The Lord be with you!” and children will respond, “And also with you!

9:20 AM/5:20 PM MUSIC TIME & EXPECTATIONS

• Gather the children on the carpet in a circle. Use the “Golden Rules” document as a visual and discuss expectations.

• Sing 2-3 of the songs from below (found on “Mission Kids Sing Along”).

9:30 AM/5:30 PM STORY TIME

• To signify transition, lead in the following finger play…

• SAY: We’ve been learning recently about Jesus’ life and how he cared for the people around him. This week, we’re going to take a little break to celebrate a special day!

• ASK: Do you have a hero? (allow for answers.) Have any of you ever heard of a saint? (allow for answers.) Maybe you’ve heard of Saint Patrick or Saint Nicholas?

• SAY: A saint is like a hero for the WHOLE church around the world! These saints get their own special day every year, like a holiday, called a FEAST DAY.

• SAY: This Saturday was/is the feast day of a saint named Francis. Francis lived a really long time ago in a place called Italy. He spent his life caring for people. Saint Francis is the patron of animals! That just means that when we think about Saint Francis, we think of all the animals.

• ASK: Before we learn more about St. Francis, some of you may have brought a stuffed animal or a picture of a pet today! Can we go around and let everyone introduce them to us? (allow children an opportunity to talk about their stuffy or pet.)

• SAY: Thank you guys for sharing. Before we read about St. Francis, I want to tell you a little bit about who St. Francis was. St. Francis was a very, very kind man. In one story, St. Francis gave a poor man his very own clothes, right off his back! He gave away all his family’s food to anyone who asked. He lived on his own in the woods for a while, and sang and spoke with the animals that lived there. Let’s read about Saint Francis’s song together.

• READ: “The Song of St. Francis.” Pause for questions and engagement while reading.

• ASK: Why do you think St. Francis was so generous?

• SAY: St. Francis knew that every person he talked to was a human that God loved. So Francis tried his best to show God’s love to people around him everywhere he went. We remember Saint Francis for his love for animals, too. He lived on his own in the woods for a while, and sang and spoke with the animals that lived there. Our stories of St. Francis tell us that he would preach whole sermons to all the birds and animals in the woods!

• WONDER: I wonder what it was like for Saint Francis to live in the woods and talk to animals? I wonder what your favorite thing that God has made is?

9:50 AM/5:50 PM PRAYER TIME

• PRAY: Get into a posture that is comfortable for you to pray - bowing your head, closing your eyes, etc. Include any requests that were mentioned in response to the lesson’s question) Dear God, thank you for never being too busy for us. You always want to hear us and be with us. We love you. Amen.

• SAY: Let’s all say the Lord’s Prayer together if you remember! (Slowly pray through the Lord’s Prayer.) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen!

9:55 AM/5:55 PM ACTIVITY TIME

• DO: ART: Watercolor/Dot Markers

• Pass out sheets, trays, watercolor palettes and dot markers, marking the back of each sheet with the child’s name in Sharpie
• Help children watercolor paint or use the dot markers. For watercoloring, it may be helpful to remind them that the brush goes from the WATER to the PAINT to the PAPER.

• DO: MOVE

• If you’d like to lead a group game or movement activity, turn to the end of the lesson for options available.

10:20 AM/6:20 PM(ish) CHECK-OUT

• Before children leave, communion or blessings will be given to each in attendance.

• Children should put on shoes and art creations should be gathered.

• Parents will arrive at the room to pick up children. Ensure that all belongings are taken by the parent as they leave.

CLASSROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Return Mission Kids cart with all belongings and all supplies to St. Joseph’s Children’s Chapel. Make sure everything has a lid so it does not dry out!

• As this is a shared space, it is important that we are good stewards of each room and clean up before leaving. Return all toys and supplies to shelves and wipe down high-touched surfaces/toys with a sanitizing wipe.

• Vacuum floors and set trash bags in the hallway, if needed.