Session 10: Service Is The Rent We Pay For Living

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Windows and Mirrors, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Windows and Mirrors

Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth. — Shirley Chisholm, African American politician and activist Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time. — Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Arjuna’s Service to His People 15 Activity 2: Brainstorm Survival Needs 10 Activity 3: Window/Mirror Panel — My Service to Others 10 Activity 4: Making Cards for Veterans in Hospitals 15 Faith in Action: Service Project for Congregation Staff Member…
Spiritual Preparation
From Windows and Mirrors

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Make yourself comfortable; light a candle to mark the time as different from your other activities. Close your eyes and breathe deeply and perhaps repeat one word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. Think about the…
Opening
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Large, round mirror to hold the chalice Reflective materials, such as beads or pieces of stained glass Newsprint, markers and tape Opening Words Basket and opening words (see Session 1, Leader Resource 1)…
Activity 1: Story - Arjuna's Service To His People
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Arjuna’s Service to His People” A bell, chime, rain stick or other musical noisemaker Preparation for Activity Read the story, “Arjuna’s Service to His People,” a few times….
Activity 2: Brainstorm Survival Needs
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Post newsprint where everyone can see it. Draw two columns with the headings “Needs” and “Who Provides?” Description of Activity Invite the group to brainstorm the resources they need to survive.
Activity 3: Window/Mirror Panel - My Service to Others
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity All participants’ Window/Mirror Panels Newsprint with ideas from Activity 2, Brainstorm Survival Needs Paper or card stock, cut to a size that can be placed within Window/Mirror Panels Optional: Paint and paintbrushes, pastels or other art media…
Activity 4: Making Cards for Veterans in Hospitals
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Postcard-sized card stock in various colors, at least one sheet for each participant Markers, colored pencils, crayons Stickers of festive shapes and designs Preparation for Activity Identify a hospital for military…
Closing
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Taking It Home handout Optional: A copy of Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Namaste Preparation for Activity Identify a place for participants to store their Window/Mirror Panels between sessions. Keep in mind, there may be…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Windows and Mirrors

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 children make with the activities and/or the central ideas? How could you tell that was occurring? What connections did you make…
Faith In Action: Service Project for a Congregational Staff Member
From Windows and Mirrors

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Leader Resource 1, Letter to Board of Trustees Preparation for Activity Approach any staff member(s) the children might choose to help. Gauge their openness to this project….
Alternate Activity 1: Making Cards for Service People in Our Community
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint with ideas from Activity 2, Brainstorm Survival Needs Postcard-sized card stock in various colors, at least one sheet for each participant Markers, colored pencils, crayons Stickers of festive shapes and designs Preparation for Activity…
Taking It Home: Service Is The Rent We Pay For Living
From Windows and Mirrors

Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth. — Shirley Chisholm, African American politician and activist Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time. — Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder…
Arjunas Service To His People
From Windows and Mirrors

Adapted from the Hindu Baghavad Gita.This story is an ancient Hindu tale. It is important to tell the story interactively, as guided. The prompts and follow-up discussion questions will help you elicit children’s thoughtful responses to the tale. Here is a story from the Hindu tradition. A long,…
Leader Resource 1: Letter to Board of Trustees
From Windows and Mirrors

Adapt this letter to seek permission for participants to take on some duties of a congregational staff member and invite the staff member to enjoy a day off….
Find Out More
From Windows and Mirrors

Find out how to send cards and care packages to retired veterans or active service personnel on the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs website. Unitarian Universalists serve in the military both as regular personnel and as chaplains. Read more in an April, 2007 article by Leah Rubin-Cadrain in UU…

Download all of Windows (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 10: Service Is The Rent We Pay For Living

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