Adapt this list of suggested "Have You Ever . . .?" items for the group, the setting, and the program goals. Have you ever climbed using ropes on a rock wall? Have you ever lived in another country? Have you ever sung in front of people? Have you ever been without a shower for more than one week?

From The Kids' Book of Awesome Stuff by Charlene Brotman, illustrated by Jeila Gueramian (Biddeford, Maine: Brotman-Marshfield Curriculums, 2004). Used with permission.Find the names of some of the elements that were once inside a star. The names go forward, backward, up, down and on the diagonal.

From "The Stargazer Who Discovered a Comet" in The UU Kids Book by Anne Fields and Charlene Brotman (Biddeford, Maine: Brotman-Marshfield, 1989); used with permission. "Afterward" from Rooftop Astronomer: A Story about Maria Mitchell by Stephanie SammartiRead the story aloud....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day - a magnifying glass Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated 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...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Magnifying glasses for participants to share For Sun Bursts. Latex balloons, enough for all participants plus some extra, two or three magnifying glasses, string and scissors, and (optional) water For Light Write. Paper for all participants....

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity You may like to read Bernie DeKoven's website for a description of how he invented this singing game. Description of Activity What well known song about stars simply poses Maria Mitchell's scientific and spiritual questions?...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 1, "Have You Ever . . .?" Questions Preparation for Activity The game, Have You Ever . . .?, works best with larger groups. A non-competitive option for four or fewer participants is the game, Twenty Questions....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "The Stargazer Who Discovered a Comet" Preparation for Activity Read and prepare to tell the story of Unitarian and astronomer, Maria Mitchell (1818-1889). Note: "Maria" is pronounced "Ma-RYE-ah." Description of Activity Gather...

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 Use a Faith in Action activity to engage the children in exploring why there is a continuing need for questioning, both in science and in society....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Tool of the Day - a magnifying glass Optional: Toolbox of Our Faith poster; a copy of Handout 1, Star-Stuff Word Search; and tape or a glu...

Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1, Star-Stuff Word Search, and pencils, for all participants Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handout 1, Star-Stuff Word Search, for all participants. Description of Activity Welcome participants as they arrive and give each child a pencil and the word...

Question everything! — Maria Mitchell (1818-1889), Unitarian, astronomer The magnifying glass symbolizes questioning and looking deeper. This session focuses on the value of questioning assumptions and wondering, "Why?" The children hear about astronomer and Unitarian Maria Mitchell, who embodied...

Before the Toolbox of Faith program begins, customize this letter for your program and distribute to participants' families as a handout, mailer, or group e-mail....

Adapted by Elisa Pearmain from a Japanese and Chinese folk tale. To tell the story dramatically, tape a spoon to a ruler so that the entire length is longer than your own arm to demonstrate how people ate in hell. When you get to the next paragraph about heaven, tape another spoon to another ruler.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Tools of the Day - a toolbox and a ruler Chalice and candle or LED chalice Council candles (a tea light or votive candle for each participant, or some to share if group is very large) One tea light or votive candle of a different color Tray to hold...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Markers, glitter pens, or other media for writing and decorating the covenant Large sheet of poster board, for Toolbox of Our Faith poster A separate sheet of poster board, for group covenant Optional: Paper strips to a...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Hymn 402, "From You I Receive," in the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will teach and lead the song, "From You I Receive," Hymn 402 in Singing the Living Tradition.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Wooden spoons (or other long spoons), duct tape or masking tape, and rulers, dowels, or yardsticks for all participants Foods to eat with spoons, such as grapes, oyster crackers, macaroni, or other easily picked up and delicious nibbles Serving bow...