Session 10: The Power of Passion

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

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Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Sing to the Power

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. — Harriet Tubman The power of fire is the power of passion, of allowing the heart to lead us to good actions. When we follow our…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Sing to the Power

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — The Power of Half 10 Activity 2: Advocating for Favorite Causes 20 Activity 3: Preparing to Make a Case for Congregation to Participate in Power of Half 20 Faith in Action: Planning Our Power of Fire 30 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys an…
Spiritual Preparation
From Sing to the Power

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: What issues or topics make you feel the greatest…
Opening
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Opening Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1), and basket Symbol of fire, such as a candle, a flashlight, a depiction of the sun or any material that is red, orange…
Activity 1: Story - The Power of Half
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Power of Half” Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions….
Activity 2: Advocating for Favorite Causes
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Computer(s) with Internet access Preparation for Activity Post blank newsprint….
Activity 3: Preparing to Make a Case for Congregation to Participate in Power of Half
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and pens/pencils Poster board, pencils, and markers Preparation for Activity Find out who in your congregation has the decision-making power to choose to donate half of a given Sunday’s offering. This is most likely the board of…
Closing
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, “Passion” Circle, and tape Circle of Elements Mural Instructions (Session 1, Leader Resource 3) Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Opening Words for Basket…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Sing to the Power

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn’t? What connections did we make with the children? What connections did the children make with each other? How was this evident? How could we build the…
Faith In Action: Planning Our Power of Fire
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity This activity is designed to continue the activity begun in Session 9. Research the project the group selected in the previous session….
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows
From Sing to the Power

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,…
Alternate Activity 2: Song - "From You I Receive"
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Preparation for Activity Learn “From You I Receive,” Hymn 402 in Singing the Living Tradition. Optional: Recruit a song leader for this activity….
Alternate Activity 3: Alternative Dreidel Game
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Dreidel Small tokens such as M&Ms(R), raisins, hard candies, or pennies, at least ten per participant Preparation for Activity Memorize the rules for this spinning top game, including which Hebrew letter (nun, gimmel, hay, shin) corresponds with ea…
Taking It Home: The Power of Passion
From Sing to the Power

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. — Harriet Tubman IN TODAY’S SESSION… the children heard the true story of the Salwen family who, at the urging of their teenage…
The Power of Half
From Sing to the Power

Sometimes a big idea starts with noticing small things. One day 14-year-old Hannah Salwen was in the car with her father, stopped at a stoplight under a bridge. Hannah noticed that just off the road on her right was a homeless person carrying a cardboard sign asking for help, and to the left of…
Leader Resource 1: Passion Circle
From Sing to the Power

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing…
Find Out More
From Sing to the Power

The Power of Half, by Kevin and Hannah Salwen, has ideas for how anyone can commit to the power of half and use the fire inside themselves to change the world. Three percent of your book purchase will go to The Hunger Project when you order from Barnes & Noble using this link. Learn more about…