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. Offer the finger play "This Is the Church" as a hand motion of deeper meaning, such as a Buddhist mudra. Move your hands quietly, saying the words in your mind or to yourself. What images come to mind?...

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Memory Match Game 15 Activity 5: Circle Games 15 Closing 5...

This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people! — Traditional finger play Today you will introduce the concept that people are an important part of what it means to be a church or congregation, especially the people who work for the church and take care of it. The...

This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people! — Traditional finger play IN TODAY'S SESSION... the theme was "All Around Us." We learned that our congregation is more than the buildings or grounds—it's the people! We learned about the special people who work and...

Read about UUs and nature on the UU Ministry for the Earth website. Select "Sermons" to read a variety of sermons on the web of life. Listen to "Blue Boat Home" (Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey) on YouTube.

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 Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Tour 15 Activity 5: Story 5 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5...

And the Earth is my blue boat home. — "Blue Boat Home" by Peter Mayer, Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey Celebrate the outdoors and the web of life by exploring the outside of your facility. Engage children in caring for the grounds to develop their sense of belonging and teach them about...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Scrapbooks, photographs, artifacts from congregational archives, and recent brochures and pictures for a display Optional: Tour rope (a rope with a loop for each child to hold on to) Optional: Camera or smartphone Preparation for Activity...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings chart or Feelings Flashcards from Session 1 Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Tim...

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.

And the Earth is my blue boat home. — "Blue Boat Home" by Peter Mayer, Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . We took a walk around the outside of the congregation to explore the special places of our "church [congregational] home." EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER . . . Invite your...

Find images of UU congregations on the UU stock photo collection. Online, read the December 6, 2009 sermon by Rev. Barbara Fast of Westminster, R.I., "A Prayer for This House."...

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?

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Imagine the inside of your facility, or find a quiet time when you can explore it by yourself. In your mind's eye or in real time, walk quietly through the halls, stopping by interesting things. Pause in the sanctuary, if you are...

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Tour 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5...

Peace shall walk softly through these rooms . . . — "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door," Hymn 1 in Singing the Living Tradition The children will become familiar with the inside of the larger building of which their Chalice Children meeting room is a part and begin to develop a sense of belonging.