The story, "Two Brothers," in this session is based on a story widely thought to come from the Jewish Talmud that may have older roots in Muslim and Hindu culture. Contemporary versions of the story include "Brotherly Love," in Angels, Prophets, Rabbis and Kings, fromThe Stories of the Jewish...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Sheets of construction paper or craft foam in multi-cultural skin tones or various colors (including red) - enough for each class member to outline a hand Optional: Red heart stickers for all participants Pencils, scissors (including left-handed...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Handout 1: Cinnamon Heart Ornaments (Non-edible) Ingredients for the ornament mixture Applesauce Powdered cinnamon White school glue For making the ornaments A roll of waxed paper A roll of plastic wrap A rolling pin Heart-shaped cookie...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Choose the songs to teach - "Make New Friends," as suggested, or another of your choice - and become familiar with the tune....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity For Tug of Friendship. Optional: A thick rope of appropriate length for the group (or, children use hands for Yurt Circle variation) For Crossing the Line....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "The Two Brothers" Optional: Two shoeboxes, markers, and mural paper (a large roll of paper) or a small bath mat Preparation for Activity Read the story, "Two Brothers." Optional: Gather the materials you will need to tell the...

Description of Activity Engage in an activity which expresses love as a quality of our faith, through action. The group might: Create cards for shut-ins and get well cards that can be given directly to members who are ill, or can be given to your congregation's caring committee or lay ministry...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Tool of the Day - a glove, or pair of gloves Preparation for Activity Print the opening words on newsprint....

Materials for Activity Paper, scissors (including left-handed scissors), pencils, and markers in multicultural skin tones and/or bright colors Optional: Toolbox of Our Faith poster and a glue stick or tape Preparation for Activity Set out materials on a worktable. Description of Activity This...

Take a moment and let your body and mind settle. If you are comfortable doing so, spend a few moments in peaceful meditation. Founders of major religions taught that living compassionately could help one experience an enhancement of being. Before you lead the group in an exploration of love and...

ACTIVITY MINUTES Welcoming and Entering Opening 5 Activity 1: Story ?Two Brothers 10 Activity 2: Games ?The Strength of Cooperation 10 Activity 3: Singing Love 10 Activity 4: Cinnamon Heart Ornaments 15 Activity 5: Council Circle 10 Faith in Action: Ideas Alternate Activity 1: ASL "I Love You" Ba...

But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three. The greatest of these is love. — Christian scripture (1 Corinthians 13:13) My religion is simple, my religion is kindness. — Dalai Lama The gloves symbolize love. In this session, engage in reflection about the strength and universality of love.

An Islamic folk tale. To engage participants in the storytelling, ask for three volunteers to pantomime the actions of Mullah Nasruddin, his neighbor, and the donkey. One day, a neighbor whom Mullah Nasruddin didn't like came to see him. The neighbor asked Nasruddin, "May I borrow your donkey?"...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day - sandpaper 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 large) One te...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity For each group of three participants: a set of face paints or make-up; cotton swabs for brushes, one per color; a cup of water; cosmetic sponges; an old towel or sheet to drape around the neck of the person being painted Optional: Paper and markers...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Mural paper, masking tape, and markers Preparation for Activity Find a place to spread out mural paper for children to write song lyrics. Description of Activity Participants use humor in creating parody songs....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Captain Underpants' Name Game. Newsprint, markers, and tape; large blank name tags and markers Preparation for Activity Laughing Exercises. Review the laughing exercises under "Description of Activity" to get comfortable leading them. To add more...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Mullah Nasruddin and His Donkey" Preparation for Activity Read and prepare to tell the story, "Mullah Nasruddin and His Donkey." This story is quite short. You may like to expand this activity by adding more humorous stories....

For a perspective about humor in Unitarian Universalism, read Rev. Judith E. Meyer's sermon, "Irreverent or Irrelevant?"http://www.uusm.org/sundays-and-services/sermons/irreverent-or-irreleva…; given in October 2006 at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Santa Monica, California. Read...