Tapestry of Faith: Windows and Mirrors: A Program about Diversity for Grades 4-5

Activity 1: Story - Letter to Nancy

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Copy of the story "Letter to Nancy "
  • A bell, chime, rain stick or other musical noisemaker

Preparation for Activity

  • Read the story. Try adopting a different voice for Nancy's minister.
  • Create an atmosphere to set this time apart from other activities of the session. Turn off overhead lights and use lamps. You might don a storytelling shawl to enhance the moment and help you claim the storytelling.

Description of Activity

Gather the children to hear a story. Ask the group, "Who has an idea what 'prayer' is?" Allow some responses. Then ask, "I wonder if any of you have prayed or seen someone pray?" Allow a few volunteers to share.

Say:

Unitarian Universalists do pray, though not all of us pray, and we certainly do not have to pray to be part of our religion.

We share beliefs about many things. We believe in every person's worth, the importance of love and justice, and the value and power of working together in our communities. Yet, we may believe quite different things about an energy, spirit or god that may exist which is bigger than us and our daily actions and thoughts. We may each have our own ideas about whether such a force exists, what it might be like, whether it is outside us or something inside us, whether it listens to us, and what it can do. Have you thought about some of your ideas about that?

Whatever our beliefs, many of us seek this greater force through prayer or meditation. That's what our session is about today.

Ring the chime, bell or other noisemaker and make eye contact with each participant. Tell the story.

At the conclusion, ring the chime again to signify the end of the story. Ask the children to sum up the three purposes for which the minister suggested Nancy could use prayer. Affirm gratitude, express regret and articulate a hope.