Session 9: Spirit Of Life (Canteen)

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Toolbox of Faith, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Toolbox of Faith

Spirit of Life, come unto me. — Carolyn McDade The spirit is really the bouquet of life. It is not something breathed into life, it comes out of life. — Joseph Campbell in a conversation with Bill Moyers The water and the water bottle symbolize the Spirit of Life. In this session, participants…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Toolbox of Faith

ACTIVITY MINUTES Welcoming and Entering Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Creation 10 Activity 2: Water Play 8 Activity 3: Water Communion 10 Activity 4: Singing “Spirit of Life” 10 Activity 5: Council Circle 12 Faith in Action: Ideas…
Spiritual Preparation
From Toolbox of Faith

Take a moment and let your body and mind settle. If you are comfortable doing so, spend a few moments in peaceful meditation. In preparation for this session on Spirit of Life, you may wish to reflect on how you personally would answer the council questions about the Spirit of Life. When have you…
Welcoming and Entering
From Toolbox of Faith

Materials for Activity Shallow basins of water, one for every two or three participants Straws for all participants Newspaper to cover worktable(s) Preparation for Activity Gather large, shallow containers such as pie tins. Purchase straws. Cover worktable(s) with newspaper….
Opening
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Light-colored construction paper, several sheets for each participant Shallow basins of water, one for every two or three participants Str…
Activity 1: Story - Creation
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “Creation,” a retelling of a story in Genesis, in the Hebrew scriptures Preparation for Activity Read the story and decide whom you will ask to read the roles of “Appreciating Voice” and “Bible Voice.” Description of Activity…
Activity 2: Water Play
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Shallow basins of water, one for every two or three participants Water play items, such as funnels, whisks, rubber ducks, sieves, spoons, eye droppers, and straws — a few for each basin Optional: Bubble solution (or hand-wash dishwashing liquid) and…
Activity 3: Water Communion
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity An attractive, clear vase or pitcher Clear plastic drinking cups for all participants A large, glass bowl for mingling water Plain white paper and markers for all participants Preparation for Activity Fill a clear vase or pitcher with water.
Activity 4: Singing "spirit Of Life"
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Review Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition. If you are not comfortable teaching and leading the hymn,…
Activity 5: Council Circle
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day — water in a water bottle Chalice and candle Safety matches and long fireplace matches Small dish for spent matches Candle snuffer Council candles (a tea light or votive candle for each participant, or some to share if group is very…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Toolbox of Faith

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today’s session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?
Faith In Action: Ideas
From Toolbox of Faith

Description of Activity “Spirit of Life” Arrange with your minister or lay worship leaders for the congregation to sing the song, “Spirit of Life,” when the children can join in. Engage the group in illustrating a poster with the words and pictures representing the images in the song. Candlelight…
Taking It Home: Spirit Of Life (Canteen)
From Toolbox of Faith

Spirit of Life, come unto me. — Carolyn McDade The spirit is really the bouquet of life. It is not something breathed into life, it comes out of life. — Joseph Campbell in a conversation with Bill Moyers IN TODAY’S SESSION… Water in a water bottle symbolizes the Sprit of Life. In this session,…
Creation
From Toolbox of Faith

This story is based on the first of two versions of the creation story found in Hebrew scripture in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 1 and 2. It comes from Stories in Faith: Exploring Our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources Through Wisdom Tales by Gail Forsyth-Vail (Boston: Unitarian…
Find Out More
From Toolbox of Faith

The website, The Great Story, blends evolutionary and creationist views of cosmology, presenting many resources about “the sacred narrative of an evolving Universe.” The hymn, “Spirit of Life,” and its author Carolyn McDade, were featured in the Fall 2007 issue of UU World.