Tapestry of Faith: Heeding the Call: A Program on Justicemaking for Junior High School Youth

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Newsprint, markers and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post.

Description of Activity

Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants. Invite everyone to reflect on the word "joy." If there are new people present, ask youth to go around the circle and say their names and something that brings them joy. Ask if anyone would like to share anything noted in their Justicemakers Guide since the last meeting. Light the chalice, or invite a participant to do so, and recruit a volunteer to read the chalice lighting words:

The Hindu poet Rabindranath Tagore said, "And Joy is Everywhere." We light this candle to help us see the joy that exists in the world and ways we can work to spread more joy.

Ask the group to be silent for a moment as they reflect on the words. End the silence with "So be it," or other appropriate words.

Tell the group that today's theme is "joy." Ask for volunteers to share what they think joy has to do with justice.