Tapestry of Faith: Sing to the Power: A Social Justice Program for Children Grades 4-5

Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Attractive bowl
  • Smooth stones, at least one for each participant

Preparation for Activity

  • Fill the bowl half-way with water.
  • Set the bowl on a surface that will not be damaged if a small amount of water splashes out. Set out stones near the bowl, where everyone will be able to reach them.

Description of Activity

Say:

Our community is like a bowl that holds all of our lives. The joys and sorrows which affect each person's life send ripples through all of our lives.

Invite participants, as they are moved, to pick up a stone, drop it gently (!) in the bowl of water, and share aloud a joy or a sorrow which has affected their life in recent days. Say they may drop their stone in silence, instead; tell them it is okay to keep their joys or sorrows private, especially since this is the first time the group is doing this activity. You might go first, to model.

Once all who wish to have shared, affirm all the words people have spoken and the thoughts and feelings that remain inside each person's head and heart.