Session 10: Signs of Welcome Part of Signs of Our Faith In This Section Introduction From Signs of Our Faith Those of us who have come through the great doors, who have made of this place the soul of Sunday on our spiritual journey, share a commitment... to... Session-at-a-Glance From Signs of Our Faith Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Story — A Calabash of Poi 5 Activity 2: Shut Out 10 Activity 3: Song — "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" 15 Activity... Spiritual Preparation From Signs of Our Faith Reflect on the times you felt welcomed, particularly when you were a child. When did you feel truly wanted? When did it feel false, or overdone? If you... Opening From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Centering table A chime or bell Newsprint,... A Calabash of Poi From Signs of Our Faith Based on "A Calabash of Poi," originally published in In the Path of the Trade Winds by Coral Wells Thorpe (New York/London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924).... Activity 1: Story - A Calabash of Poi From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, "A Calabash of Poi" Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Fidget... Activity 2: Shut Out From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Think of two short, personal anecdotes you can share, if needed, to prompt or affirm the children-one... Activity 3: Song - "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnboo... Activity 4: The Welcome Challenge From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chairs for all participants, plus one extra chair Optional: A welcome mat Preparation for Activity Arra... Activity 5: Creating a Ritual of Welcome From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Description of Activity Participants design a ritual for the Sig... Closing From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape... Leader Reflection and Planning From Signs of Our Faith What went well in this session? What have you learned that you can apply in the future? How did the children interact? Did everyone in the group... Faith In Action: Welcome Flags From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Cloth in a variety of light colors Permanent or fabric markers in various colors Twine or heavy stri... Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Making Name Tags for Members From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags (blank) used by congregation Markers Stickers, glue sticks, glitter, and other decorations fo... Alternate Activity 2: Leadership in Action - Leading a Round in Congregational Worship From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Optional: Computer with... Taking It Home: Signs of Welcome From Signs of Our Faith Those of us who have come through the great doors, who have made of this place the soul of Sunday on our spiritual journey, share a commitment... to... Find Out More From Signs of Our Faith Welcoming in UU Congregations In a 2006 sermon, "Setting a Place for Elijah" Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern, encourages us to value and practice welcoming. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Signs of Our Faith NEXT: Introduction Download all of Signs of Our Faith (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.