In the middle of the nineteenth century, a frenzy of support for the Mexican-American War swept across the United States. But a small minority were unhappy. They saw the war as an act of violent aggression against a weak, neighboring country. Who were the people in this minority?...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Candles (votives or tea lights), lighter, extinguisher, and a bowl or plate of sand to hold the candles Chalice, candle, lighter, and extinguisher Optional: A basket of stones and a bowl of water Preparation for Activity Decide whether to use candl...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Music and player, or a chime, a gong, or bells Chairs for all participants; or, large sheets of newsprint or poster board and (optional) scissors Preparation for Activity Identify a large, open space where you can arrange chairs in a circle or oval...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Songs with a message of peace, music player(s), and copies of lyrics Preparation for Activity Choose a few songs with messages of peace to play for the group....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A podium Leader Resource 1, Prophets of Nonviolence - Quotations from Thoreau, Gandhi, and King Preparation for Activity Obtain a tabletop podium or a large cardboard box to serve as a podium. Decide how to structure this activity....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper in a variety of colors Markers, pens, or pencils Staplers and/or tape Preparation for Activity Cut construction paper into approximately one-inch strips. Make a sample chain....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "The Power of Peace: Thoreau, Gandhi, and King" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Review the discussion questions and choose those that will best help the children share their...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A long rope and (optional) a utility knife Preparation for Activity Identify an open floor space large enough to accommodate all members of the group seated in a circle on the floor. If you need to, arrange for an alternate space for this activity.

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy it as a handout for all participants (or email it to all parents later). Description of Activity Gather all participants to form a circle for the closing ritual. Ask...

Materials for Activity Tapered candles, paper cups or plates, lighter and extinguisher Poster board or card stock and thick, bold markers Handout 1, Peace Vigil Permission Form Hymnbooks or lyrics to songs to be sung at the peace vigil Preparation for Activity Decide when and where to hold the pe...

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....

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Tug of Friendship 15 Activity 2: Story — The Power of Peace: Thoreau, Gandhi, and King 10 Activity 3: Chain Links — Sources of Inspiration 10 Activity 4: Motivating Speeches 10 Faith in Action: Peace Vigil Closing 5 Alternate...

True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice. — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This session begins the program's exploration of the Blake covenant phrase "to dwell together in peace". The story spotlights Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., two...

Adapted by Lynn Ungar from a story by Jerrilyn Jacobs on the My Hero project website and information on the Free the Children website. You could say it all started with a little thing. Craig Keilburger watched his older brother Marc get excited about a science project when Marc was 12 years old.

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: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Large roll of plain paper Pencils and color markers Masking tape or painter's tape String and scissors Preparation for Activity Determine a hallway or meeting room in your congregation that gets significant traffic and get permission to place the...

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity A piece of light-colored fabric, approximately 2x3 feet, for each participant Pencils for all participants Colorful permanent markers and scissors (including left-handed scissors) to share Yarn, fine hemp cord, or embroidery floss; and sewing needl...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Make sure you have an open space large enough for the group to sit in a circle in chairs or on the floor. Learn the rules of the game so you can easily and smoothly explain it to the group. Description of Activity Craig Keilburger is just one...