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When you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit, it is like sitting in front of a fire that does not burn you, but suffuses you with its qualities — its warmth, glow, and color. And as you are there, in the presence of the Spirit, you also become suffused with the divine attributes of compassion,...

The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life. — Jane Addams, American social activist and 1931 Nobel Peace Prize recipient IN TODAY'S SESSION... the group learned about Jesus' life through a story, "Meet...

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I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense. — Harold Kushner Talk about the quote. Do you think life makes sense? Or are you still trying to figure it out? WHAT WE DID TODAY Today's Big Question is "Why do bad things happen?" We responded to some...

There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle. — Deepak Chopra IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "There are many different kinds of families, and we all are part of our church...

What wondrous love is this that brings my heart such bliss, and takes away the pain of my soul . . . — "What Wondrous Love," Hymn 18 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "We care for one another and help one another." We made cards for people in our congregation...

From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and from this we live. — "From You I Receive," Hymn 402 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "At our church [congregation], all kinds of people can be friends, even if they are different from one another." And...

Earth was given as a garden . . . — Hymn 207 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was the beauty of nature. We celebrated the wonder of the changing of seasons, and the growth of flowers from seeds and bulbs. Sharing the miracle of growing things helps children...

I've got peace like a river. — Hymn 100 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "The chalice is a special Unitarian Universalist sign that reminds us of love, peace, and joy." We made chalice necklaces and heard the story of how the flaming chalice came to be the...

Peace shall walk softly through these rooms . . . — "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door," Hymn 1 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was that [name of congregation] is a special place, and it is our "church [congregational] home." We took a tour of the inside of the...

Love makes a bridge from heart to heart, and hand to hand. — "Love Makes a Bridge," Hymn 325 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . we celebrated love as something inside us, as Chalice Children. We began learning the Chalice Children songs and games. EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER .

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. Imagine being of preschool age and just discovering the wonder of the changing of seasons, of the growth into flowers from seeds, the mystery of bulbs, and the transitions of the leaves. How have we, as adults, forgotten this...

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Planting Bulbs 10 Activity 6: Seed in a Bag 5 Activity 7: Circle Games 10 Closing 5...

Adapted from Circles of Light, a story in Session 2 of the Tapestry of Faith children's program, Creating Home. After a big war, families didn't have enough food or clothing. Unitarians and Universalists needed a picture to put on their boxes of food and clothing and their trucks so people would...

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.

I've got peace like a river, joy like a fountain, love like an ocean . . . — Hymn 100 in Singing the Living Tradition In this session, we connect the chalice to the wider world by telling a simple version of how the chalice came to be a symbol or sign for our Unitarian Universalist faith sign and...