Session 11: Love and Gratitude

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Love Will Guide Us, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Love Will Guide Us

There shall be Eternal summer in the grateful heart. — Celia Thaxter, in the poem “A Grateful Heart” (1872) In this session we will focus on the sixth Unitarian Universalist Source, “Spiritual teachings of earth centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 7 Activity 1: Grateful Game 7 Activity 2: Story — The Rebirth of the Sun 8 Activity 3: Group Acrostic Poem 8 Activity 4: Gratitude Circle 10 Faith in Action: Giving Thanks in the Larger Community 45 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys an…
Spiritual Preparation
From Love Will Guide Us

Read the story, “The Rebirth of the Sun.” Light a candle and take a few moments to ponder how you experience the darkness and compare that to the image of night as a loving mother who cradles you when you are exhausted. For a few minutes focus on what you are grateful for in your life. Extinguish…
Welcoming and Entering
From Love Will Guide Us

Materials for Activity White drawing paper Color markers or crayons, including plenty of yellow Preparation for Activity Set paper and markers or crayons on work tables….
Opening
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Session 1, Handout 1, Ten Million Stars Session 1, Handout 2, Love Will Guide Us Lyrics (Hymn 131 in Singing the Living Tradition) Night Sky display (Session 1, Opening) Optional: A recording of the song “Love…
Activity 1: Grateful Game
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Chime or other sound instrument Preparation for Activity Create a space where the group can stand in a circle and move around a bit. Description of Activity This activity invites children to learn kinesthetically (through movement and bodily…
Activity 2: Story - The Rebirth of the Sun
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Rebirth of the Sun” A large basket Objects related to the story such as pictures or a model of the sun, pictures of the nighttime, seasonal pictures, or a current calendar A chime, rain stick, or other instrument with a calm…
Activity 3: Group Acrostic Poem
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the letters that spell “THANK YOU” vertically down the left-hand side a sheet of newsprint, leaving a few inches between the letters. Set this sheet aside. On another sheet of newsprint (or…
Activity 4: Gratitude Circle
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Think of something specific you can thank each child for, so you can model expressing gratitude in this way and make sure each child receives appreciation at least once. Description of Activity Gather in a seated circle. Explain that the children…
Closing
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Session 6, Leader Resource 4, Source Star — The Harmony of Nature Pencils or markers Taking It Home Optional: Session 1, Handout 3, Our Sources Lyrics Optional: A recording of the song…
Faith In Action: Giving Thanks in the Larger Community
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 45 minutes Materials for Activity Paper for thank you cards Pens, pencils, and markers Envelopes and postage stamps Optional: Return address stickers or address stamp for your congregation Preparation for Activity Consult with your minister and/or religious educator to determine a…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Love Will Guide Us

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 leaders and your religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged?…
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Concerns
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Felt candle-and-flame board (see Session 1, Alternate Activity 1) A basket of felt “flames” and a basket of felt “candles” Optional: LED/battery-operated tea lights or candles Preparation for Activity If needed, make a felt board by stapling or nail…
Alternate Activity 2: UU Source Constellation - The Harmony of Nature
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Session 6, Handout 1, UU Source Constellation — The Harmony of Nature Session 6, Leader Resource 1, UU Source Constellation Answer Sheet — The Harmony of Nature Night Sky display and push pins, tape, or sticky tack (Session 1, Opening) Gold and sil…
Alternate Activity 3: Making Solstice Candles
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 45 minutes Materials for Activity Candle-making supplies: wax, yellow candle dye, wicks, and (optional) candle fragrance Small glass jars (e.g., recycled baby food jars or votive candle holders) — enough for all participants, plus a few extra Wooden stirring sticks (e.g., craft…
Alternate Activity 4: Thanksgiving Collage
From Love Will Guide Us

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Poster board (enough to cut a piece approximately 12 inches square for each participant) Magazines and catalogues, especially of nature scenes and natural objects Scissors (including left-handed scissors) and glue Preparation for Activity Gather…
Taking It Home: Love and Gratitude
From Love Will Guide Us

There shall be Eternal summer in the grateful heart. — Celia Thaxter, in the poem “A Grateful Heart” (1872) IN TODAY’S SESSION… we learned about the sixth Unitarian Universalist Source, expressed in children’s language as “the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life.” We heard a winter…
The Rebirth of the Sun
From Love Will Guide Us

From CIRCLE ROUND by Starhawk and Diane Baker and Anne Hill, copyright (C) 2000 by Miriam Simas, Anne Hill and Diane Baker. Used by permission of Batman Books, a division of Random House, Inc.Circle round, and I’ll tell you a story about when the sun was born again ……
Find Out More
From Love Will Guide Us

Earth-Centered Traditions and the Solstice The book Circle Round: Raising Participants in Goddess Traditions, by Starhawk, Diane Baker, and Anne Hill, has many ideas for activities, stories, and songs that reflect the sixth Unitarian Universalist Source and teach about the harmony of nature and t…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 11: Love and Gratitude

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