Session 7: Seeing Others with Awe

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Moral Tales, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Moral Tales

To enter into the presence of another human being … is to enter into the presence of God in a new and different way. — Stephen L. Carter Drawing upon the first Unitarian Universalist Principle, which affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all people, this session rests on the idea that…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Moral Tales

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Gems of Goodness 5 Activity 2: Welcome Game — Find a Friend 10 Activity 3: Story Basket and Centering 5 Activity 4: Story — A Messiah Is Among You 10 Activity 5: Life-size Affirmation Portraits 23 Activity 6: Clean-up 2 Faith in…
Spiritual Preparation
From Moral Tales

Read the story, “A Messiah Is Among You,” a few times. Spend a few minutes thinking about the group, imagining each child as a potential messiah. If there is a child whom you consider difficult, try to reframe this perception….
Welcoming and Entering
From Moral Tales

Materials for Activity Mosaic gemstones, at least three per participant A colorful cloth A small notebook, approximately two by three inches, and a marker for each child who is new to the Gems of Goodness project Optional: Stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of…
Opening
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will use the provided opening words, an adaptation of Reading 418 in Singing the Living…
Activity 1: Gems Of Goodness
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Clear glass jar or vase Small notebooks, approximately two by three inches, for any newcomers Markers and stick-on gems or other stickers for children who are new to the Gems of Goodness project Copies of the Session 2, Leader Resource 2, Gems of…
Activity 2: Welcome Game - Find A Friend
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Push back chairs and table to make room for participants to move freely around the meeting space. Description of Activity This game helps children build a community of respect and friendship, as participants learn ways they are similar to and…
Activity 3: Story Basket And Centering
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story, “A Messiah Is Among You,” such as a yarmulke (Jewish head covering) or a piece of paper with the word “Messiah” on it A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound…
Activity 4: Story - A Messiah Is Among You
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “A Messiah Is Among You” A chime, a rain stick, or another calming sound instrument Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Consider telling the story rather than reading it. Practice telling it aloud. Try adopting…
Activity 5: Life-size Affirmation Portraits
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 23 minutes Materials for Activity Roll of plain paper large enough to draw, life-size, a child’s head and torso, and scissors, or large sheets of poster board for each participant Pencils, pens, and color markers, including multicultural skin tone markers Newsprint, markers and tap…
Activity 6: Clean-up
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Plastic tubs or baskets to store markers, pens, stickers and other art materials Waste basket lined with a bag Bag(s) for recycling paper products and/or empty plastic containers Preparation for Activity Find out whether your congregational building…
Closing
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Moral Compass poster A bold marker, or a piece of card stock and tape or a stapler Optional: One copy of Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player Optional: A guitar, piano or other…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Moral Tales

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team teachers and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Faith In Action: Long-term - Congregational Hunger Awareness
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity “Welcome” posters begun in Session 6, Faith in Action: Congregational Hunger Awareness, and color markers Optional: Poster board to make additional “Welcome” posters Newsprint, markers and tape One copy of the Singing the Living Tradition Optional:…
Alternate Activity 1: Candles Of Joys And Sorrows
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Large container, such as ceramic or metal bowl Play sand (can be found at local hardware store) or unscented cat litter Large number of candles Basket for candles Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Fill your container with the play sand or…
Alternate Activity 2: Group Affirmation Book
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Three-ring binder notebook Blank paper and three-hole punch Pens, pencils and color markers Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Create an affirmation page for each participant by writing, “Seeing (name) with Awe” at the top of each…
Alternate Activity 3: Appearing-ink Books
From Moral Tales

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Lemon juice concentrate Small cups for participants to share Cotton swabs or thin paintbrushes Blank white paper, four pages per participant Stapler Two or three toasters Magic markers Preparation for Activity Do a trial run of this activity….
Taking It Home: Seeing Others with Awe
From Moral Tales

To enter into the presence of another human being … is to enter into the presence of God in a new and different way. — Stephen L. Carter In Today’s Session… Today we heard a story about a very argumentative third grade class. The school teacher asked his rabbi for advice….
The Messiah Is Among You
From Moral Tales

Recrafted with permission of the author, Francis Dorff, O. Praem, of the Norbertine Community of Alberquerque, New Mexico, from his story, “The Rabbi’s Gift,” which is copyrighted by The New Catholic World magazine. Mr….