Session 5: Finding Balance

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Faithful Journeys, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Faithful Journeys

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich … in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony. — William Henry…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Faithful Journeys

Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Faithful Footprints 5 Activity 2: Move It! Balance Games 7 Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 4: Story — Finding Balance 10 Activity 5: Minimalist Party Planning 12 Activity 6: Minimalist Party 12 Faith in Action: Birthday Fund Closing 7…
Spiritual Preparation
From Faithful Journeys

If it would be helpful in creating sacred space, light a candle or chalice. Read the story “Finding Balance.” Reflect on these questions: What activities in your life help you feel balanced and centered? Think about your experiences as a giver and a recipient of gifts. What gifts have made you…
Opening
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers and tape Posters of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in both adult and children’s language, or copies of Session 1, Handout 1 for all participa…
Activity 1: Faithful Footprints
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path (Session 1, Leader Resource 2) Cutouts of footprints and (optional) wheelchair tracks, at least one for each participant, in a variety of colors (Session 1, Leader Resources 3 and 4) Markers Push pins, glue stick or tape…
Activity 2: Move It! Balance Games
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Masking tape or blue painter’s tape Preparation for Activity In a large, open space, use tape to lay out a straight line about ten feet long on the floor….
Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects related to the story, “Finding Balance,” such as a picture of First Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY (Leader Resource 1), a toy or full size skateboard, wrapped gifts, or birthday party items or pictures of them (gifts, a par…
Activity 4: Story - Finding Balance
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Finding Balance” A chime, rain stick or other calming sound instrument Optional: Fidget object basket (Session 2, Leader Resource 2) Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Consider telling the story rather than…
Activity 5: Minimalist Party Planning
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape A chime or bell Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with materials that are generally available in your religious education space, including arts supplies. Make sure there are some items that can safely be used…
Activity 6: Minimalist Party
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Items from the meeting space, identified by children in Activity 5 Optional: Snacks or other items you wish to provide Preparation for Activity If you wish to include other groups of children or adults in your party, you will need to arrange…
Closing
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path Signpost for Session 5 (Leader Resource 2), and pins, glue stick or tape Copies of Session 1, Leader Resource 8, UU Principles Song, for all participants Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Print ou…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Faithful Journeys

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team co-leaders and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Faith In Action: Birthday Fund
From Faithful Journeys

Preparation for Activity Your Faithful Journeys Action Club may wish to create a “birthday” fund to which children, or perhaps the entire congregation, can contribute money that would have gone toward birthday presents. Work with your congregation’s treasurer to establish a fund within the…
Alternate Activity 1: Toy or Book Swap or Rummage Sale
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Toys, books, or other items to be sold or exchanged Optional: Price tags, pens, and cash box with coins and small bills to make change Preparation for Activity Several weeks before your sale or exchange, begin asking children to bring in items they…
Taking It Home: Finding Balance
From Faithful Journeys

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich … in a word to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common, this is to be my symphony. — William Ellery…
Finding Balance
From Faithful Journeys

“So, Ray,” asked his mother, “what do you want for your birthday?” It was a surprisingly hard question to answer. What did he want for his birthday? “I don’t know, Mom. Can I get back to you on that one?” Ray grabbed his skateboard and went out to the driveway to think as he rode….
Leader Resource 1: Picture of First Unitarian Church of Rochester
From Faithful Journeys

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 2: Signpost for Session 5
From Faithful Journeys

Cut out the signpost to add to your Faithful Journeys Path. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Faithful Journeys

Creative Reuse Freecycle helps people connect with others in their community to ask for free donations of items they need, or to offer to give away items they no longer want. First Unitarian Church of Rochester, New York Read a Greater Good program of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, New…