The song, “If I Had a Hammer,” was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in the 1950s while they were members of the band, The Weavers, and popularized in the next decade when Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded and performed it. Permission pending from The Richmond Organization. If I had a hammer, I'd...

For a more interactive storytelling, assign a few participants to give voice to the words of Theodore Parker and Millard Fillmore, both of whose writings are quoted in the story....

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Large sheet(s) of poster board and markers A copy of Leader Resource 1, "If I Had a Hammer" lyrics Preparation for Activity Decide where you will display the poster of song lyrics, in your meeting space or elsewhere in the congregation. If you will...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day - a hammer 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 tea...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 1, "If I Had a Hammer" lyrics Preparation for Activity Listen to a recording of the song, "If I Had a Hammer," to make sure you know the tune. The YouTube website has vignettes of several perform… of the song. If you are...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity For Pyramid. Optional: Tumbling mats For Carry the Load. Two markers, such as orange rubber cones, or masking tape to make two finish lines Preparation for Activity Review the three games offered: Sardines, Pyramid, and Carry the Load.

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Theodore Parker and the Fugitive Slaves: Refusing to Follow an Unjust Law" Preparation for Activity Prepare to read the story or tell it dramatically. For a more interactive storytelling, have a few participants give voice to

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Hammers, enough for all participants, if possible Nails of different lengths and materials, at least four nails for each participant Lengths of scrap wood, thick enough to accept the longest nails you have brought, at least one piece for every two...

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today's session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?

Description of Activity Lead the Congregation in Song Arrange for the children to lead the congregation in the song, "If I Had a Hammer," during a worship service or other gathering. Guide the children to prepare signs with the lyrics (see Alternate Activity 1: Word Art - "If I Had a Hammer")....

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 hammer Preparation for Activity Print the opening words on newsprint....

Materials for Activity A hammer A few slender nails A sheet of paper large enough for tracing the outline of a hammer A pencil, color markers, clear tape, and a pair of scissors Optional: Toolbox of Our Faith poster Preparation for Activity Set out the materials on a worktable. Description of...

The power to question is the basis of all human progress. — Indira Gandhi I became convinced that non-cooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. No other person has been more eloquent and passionate in getting this idea across than Henry David Thoreau. As a...

Excerpted from an online Wikipedia article, "Ostracism," accessed April 4, 2008.A Wikipedia article on ostracism in ancient Athens includes a photo image of three potsherds inscribed with the names of citizens who, at one time, were selected for ostracism by some of their peers....

Read or tell the story. A farm wagon bumped along through the Kansas prairie, under a blazing August sun. Next to the wagon’s driver sat a young woman in a long black dress. She had been up since four a.m. and, after a hasty breakfast, had taken her leave. Now, as her eyes took in the great sweep...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day - a piece of chalk 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)...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Sheets of green, red, and yellow construction paper and scissors Optional: Sheets of orange and blue construction paper A variety of snacks, all desirable, such as cookies, ice cream, and candy (or various dri...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Pieces of pottery (such as from smashed-up clay flower pots), large enough to write a name on, for all participants Pencils for participants to share A vessel such as an urn, bowl, or vase for collecting votes Several plastic toy figures or stuffed...