Materials for Activity Items needed for the service Service altar items Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Digital camera or smartphone Preparation for Activity Choose an activity to supplement the special worship service, ideally one with a sensory component (sight, touch,...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Pretty tablecloth Variety of breads, including some that are gluten-free, and baskets Cutting board and knife Plastic wrap Moistened paper towels Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Toppings, such as jam, butter, and honey, an...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flower and Water Ceremonies Pretty tablecloth Attractive, clear vase or pitcher of water Clear plastic cups, one for each child A large bowl Paper towels Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Digital camer...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Two new songs and games-Five Little Flowers and Ring Around the Rosy-appear in this session in honor of the flower ceremony....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: "The Flower Ceremony, A Plain and Simple Beauty," adapted from a story by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer in her book Lamp in Every Corner: Our UU Storybook (Boston: Unitarian...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flower and Water Ceremonies Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Post the...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few extra bla...

Read more about the Flower Ceremony. Explore Carl Seaburg's The Communion Book and other resources for special services that are available from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. Look through Tapestry of Faith, the free online UUA curricula, to learn more about special UU worship services....

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy it for each child. Bring the "lit" preschool chalice to the activity...

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. What are the salient features of a special worship service at your congregation? The beauty of the flower ceremony, as the vases or piles of flowers grow with each contribution?...

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Special Worship Service: Flower Ceremony 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Water Ceremony 15 Alternate Activity 2: Sharing of Bre...

Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. — "Spirit of Life," Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition Unitarian Universalists have many special worship services. This session guides you to introduce a flower ceremony (known in some congregations as a flower...

Check out the "Ceremony of Child Dedication" by Kate Howard on the UUA website. Consider this blog post by John Halstead, Dedication and Second Thoughts on Unitarian Universalism," The Allergic Pagan blog, August 7, 2012.

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How long has it been since you were a baby, cradled in a parent's arms? Each of us holds that beginning within us. Bring to mind some of the people around you. Imagine the baby and child that they used to be....