Tapestry of Faith: Faithful Journeys: A Program about Pilgrimages of Faith in Action for Grades 2-3

Closing

Activity time: 7 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Faithful Journeys Path
  • Signpost for Session 7 (Leader Resource 1), 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 out Leader Resource 1 and cut out the signpost.
  • Optional: Write the UU Principles Song lyrics on newsprint, and post.
  • Customize, print out and photocopy the Taking It Home section for all participants.

Description of Activity

This activity helps children get used to practicing a closing ritual as a way of affirming their belonging in the faith community.

Gather the group in a circle. Thank the children for participating and sharing their stories and ideas in this session. Tell them something you liked about the way they worked together as a community.

Point out the Faithful Journeys Path. Say, in your own words:

Our Faithful Journeys Path shows our journey to live our lives and act in ways that reflect our Unitarian Universalist beliefs and faith. The signposts direct us by reminding us about our Principles.

Today's signpost is "Create Magic." It is for our third Unitarian Universalist Principle: We affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. It means we believe it is good to learn and grow spiritually - to grow in our hearts, not just our bodies. It also means Unitarian Universalists have many different ways we take care of our spirits, like walking in the woods, doing rituals, helping other people, or praying. When our spirits grow, we become more loving and we can work to make the world a better place. That's how we can create magic.

Attach the signpost to the Faithful Journeys Path.

Remind the children that the next time they meet they will have a chance to add Faithful Footprints to the Faithful Journeys Path. Encourage them to try to do an action during the week that shows their acceptance of one another or encouragement to spiritual growth. Brainstorm some actions together. You might suggest: learning yoga poses and trying them with family members or friends; combining focus, intention, and energy into a prayer for the well-being of others; thinking about something that is important and raising energy for it; putting some "magic" into planting a garden or potting indoor herbs; or doing "magic" that is good for the world by being kind or helping someone.

Point out the words to the UU Principles Song. Tell the children it is sung to the tune of "Old McDonald Had a Farm." Lead the children in singing the verse about the third Principle. Then, sing the entire song together. Explain that you will learn about all of the Principles during the Faithful Journeys program.

Distribute the Taking It Home handout. Thank the children, tell them you look forward to seeing them next time, and dismiss the group.