Tapestry of Faith: Signs of Our Faith: A Program about Being UU Every Day for Grades 2-3

Opening

Activity time: 2 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle
  • Centering table
  • A chime or bell
  • Newsprint, markers, and tape
  • Optional: Cloth for centering table
  • Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors

Preparation for Activity

  • If the group designed an Opening ritual in Session 9, set out materials you need to lead it. Or, prepare to lead the Opening described below: Set a chalice table with a cloth, a chalice, candle, and lighter or an LED battery-operated candle. Write the opening words on newsprint, and post.

Description of Activity

Lead an Opening ritual the children designed (Session 9, Activity 4). Or, use this Opening ritual:

Distribute stoles, if the children wear them for Opening and Closing rituals. Invite the children to put on their stoles. Offer any visitors a stole and explain that they may wear it during the Opening time and the Closing time if they wish. Remind the children their stoles are a sign that everyone in the group is a worship leader.

Welcome all participants. Gather everyone in a circle around the chalice table. Ring the centering chime. Ask a volunteer to light the chalice together. Lead the group to say these Opening words:

We gather together as Unitarian Universalists and members of the Signs of Our Faith community.

Together our group makes decisions about what is important to us.