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

Introduction

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. — Charles Dickens

The power of the earth is the power of place. Children discover how connection to one's location allows reaching out to others in the particularity of their location. In the story of a connection between a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Oakland, California and a Unitarian church in Ok'land, Transylvania participants see effective justice work based on all parties honoring the unique perspectives, gifts, and needs that arise in a particular location.

If your congregation has a partner church, you may wish to use Alternate Activity 3.

Goals

This session will:

  • Honor connections both to our particular locations and to people who live thousands of miles away
  • Investigate responsible social justice work that is rooted in the gifts and needs of all participants
  • Demonstrate a practice of hospitality
  • Examine how "the use of the democratic process" (fifth Principle) is rooted in deep listening as well as speaking freely
  • Optional: Introduce the congregation's Partner Church.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

  • Explore the power of place in a story of Project Harvest Hope, an organization created by and for UUs/Unitarians to promote economic development in Unitarian villages in Transylvania
  • Practice skills of communication and listening/observation through a game
  • Understand their own particular location through exploring the gifts they offer as individuals and as a congregation
  • Celebrate and connect the motto of the Transylvanian Unitarian churches and a personal religious statement of their own, by making a poster that includes both
  • Understand that creating positive change with others requires effective listening, effective communicating, and a sincere effort to understand the particular connections all parties have to their home locations.