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

Activity 1: Where Do We Mix?

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Congregational newsletters, flyers, calendars, and announcements about events such as worship, fellowship, social justice, advocacy and/or group learning
  • Photographs from congregational events, including photo albums if possible
  • Newsprint, markers and tape
  • Leader Resource 2, List of Ages and Life Stages

Preparation for Activity

  • Collect the information and photographs. If you will have multiple small groups, collect duplicates. Good sources are congregational newsletters, religious education schedules and events calendars and pages from your congregational website.
  • Be ready to contribute your knowledge of congregational events, especially those that lend themselves to thoughtful adaptation to become more authentically multigenerational.
  • Print a copy of Leader Resource 2, List of Ages and Life Stages.
  • Post sheets of blank newsprint. Title the first sheet "Where Do We Mix?"
  • Optional: Prepare a chart on newsprint for taking notes. Make a large column on the left for "Congregational Events." Add six small columns next to it for "very young," "school age," "teen," "young adult," "parents" and "older adults."

Description of Activity

Pass around the information and photographs about congregational events and activities. Ask participants to name the events, what their purpose is or was, and what ages of people attended. List events on newsprint and note the age groups involved. If you made a chart, place checks in the appropriate age group columns. Do this activity quickly and briefly.

Including All Participants

If you have a multigenerational group, give clear direction to all ages that this activity is a brief brainstorming. Affirm that participants will have opportunities to share stories about congregational events later.