Session 14: The Power of Persistence

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Sing to the Power

Step by step the longest march can be won, can be won. Many stones can form an arch, singly none, singly none. And by union what we will can be accomplished still. Drops of water turn a mill, singly none, singly none. — Traditional union song The power of water is the power of persistence, of…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Sing to the Power

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Phebe Hanaford Gets the Vote 10 Activity 2: Soap Carving 25 Activity 3: The Old Alchemist — A Play 15 Faith in Action: Planning Ways to Exercise Water Power Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows 5 Alternate Activity 2: Drip Sand…
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 about five minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: What in your life have you worked at the longest?
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 water, such as a shell, a bowl of water, a picture of an ocean or river, or any material that is…
Activity 1: Story - Phebe Hanaford Gets the Vote
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Phebe Hanaford Gets the Vote” Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions….
Activity 2: Soap Carving
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Tarp for collecting soap shavings One bar of soap per person Pencils to share Table knives, screwdrivers, orange sticks, nails, popsicle sticks and/or other soap-carving tools Preparation for Activity Make sure you are comfortable guiding participa…
Activity 3: The Old Alchemist - A Play
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Old Alchemist — A Play Optional: Props including a bag of dirt, a bag of fake, gold-colored coins, chemistry beakers, and a large leaf Preparation for Activity Make four copies of Leader Resource 1, The Old Alchemist — A Play.
Closing
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, “Persistence” Circle, and tape Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Session 1, Leader Resource 3, Circle of Elements Mural Instructions Opening Words for Baske…
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 Water Power
From Sing to the Power

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity This activity is designed to continue the activity begun in Session 13. 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: Drip Sand Castles
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Bowls (one per participant) and large baking tray or cookie sheet Fine grain play sand Pitcher of water Plastic plates (one per participant) Preparation for Activity Set out materials in a space that will not be damaged by water or sand. If weather…
Taking It Home: The Power of Persistence
From Sing to the Power

Step by step the longest march can be won, can be won. Many stones can form an arch, singly none, singly none. And by union what we will can be accomplished still. Drops of water turn a mill, singly none, singly none. — Traditional union song IN TODAY’S SESSION… the children learned about Phebe…
Phebe Hanaford Gets the Vote
From Sing to the Power

Young Phebe Coffin stood on a box in the barn, playing preacher to the group of friends she had gathered. Of course, in the 1830s, when Phebe was a child, women ministers were unusual, if there were any at all. Women couldn’t vote, didn’t have the right to own property, and couldn’t attend most…
Leader Resource 1: The Old Alchemist - A Play
From Sing to the Power

A story from Myanmar/Burma. NARRATOR: Once upon a time, there was an old man whose daughter was married to a handsome young lad. The young couple led a happy life, except for one problem. The new husband spent all his time dreaming of a way to turn dirt into gold….
Leader Resource 2: Persistence 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

Read more about Phebe Hanaford. The Nantucket Historical Society posts an article by Lisa M. Tetrault. On the Harvard Square Library Review website, find an article Rosemarie C. Smurzynski prepared for the Greenfield Group of Unitarian Universalist Ministers. On online search for images of “drip…