Scenario A: You really want to play with a friend, who is only available for the next two hours. Your house rules are that you have to finish your homework before you are allowed to play. Scenario B: Two of your good friends are arguing....

Marissa's mom could tell there was something wrong the minute Marissa slunk in the door after school. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Nothing." "Come on," her mother coaxed, "I know you better than that. Sometimes it helps to talk about things." "I'll tell you what the problem is," blurted out Marissa.

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Optional: Scissors, including left-handed scissors Description of Activity In addition to building community through sharing information about important events in participants' lives, this version of sharing joys and concerns uses a...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Beads in silver, purple, and gold colors, one of each color for each participant Elastic thread, preferably black or silver; scissors Preparation for Activity Set out materials at work tables....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Hemp or silk cord Beads, large enough to string on hemp or silk cord Shallow containers for all participants to contain their beads Scissors Optional: Quiet music, and music player Preparation for Activity Cut hemp or silk cord into 18-inch...

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the meditation below so you understand the timing and will be ready to leave sufficient pauses for participants to fully experience meditation. Arrange to use a space that has a clean, preferably carpeted, floor where...

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Locate a space, preferably outdoors, where participants can walk briskly and safely, in a loose cluster, without touching one another. Description of Activity Begin the mediation in a space where there is room for the participants to move briskly...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Wisdom to Know the Difference Scenarios Preparation for Activity Review the three scenarios so you will be able to discuss them without continually referring to the page....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group....

The Serenity Prayer Hear an NPR interview with Elizabeth Sifton, the daughter of Reinhold Niebuhr, about the circumstances which led to Niebuhr's creation of the Serenity Prayer. In July/August 2008, the Yale Alumni Magazine published an article,...

You must leave righteous ways behind, not to speak of unrighteous ways. — Buddha IN TODAY'S SESSION... participants learned about the Unitarian Universalist fifth Principle, which says we are free to search for what is true and right....

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn't? What connections did we make with the participants? What connections did the participants make with each other? How was this evident? How could we...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy as a handout for all participants (or, email to parents). Description of Activity Explain that the session is almost over and that we will now work together as a...

Preparation for Activity Arrange for the group to share meditation/centering exercises with another religious education group at your congregation, a children's chapel or other worship gathering at your congregation, or people at a family shelter or child care center outside the congregation....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and matches or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Peace sign ornaments cut from card stock (see Welcoming and Entering) Markers, pens, and pencils Preparation for Activity Set up chalice....

Materials for Activity Card stock in various colors Scissors, including left-handed scissors Hole punch String or yarn Pencils and color markers Preparation for Activity Create a peace sign template with card stock....

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for about five minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: What connections do you have with the Serenity...

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Story — Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom 10 Activity 2: "Wisdom to Know the Difference" Scenarios 10 Activity 3: Walking Meditation 5 Activity 4: Guided Meditation 5 Activity 5: Make Knotted Meditation Beads 15 Faith in Action: Teach...

[God] grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference....