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....

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....

When the Great War, which we now call World War I, started in Europe, many young men were eager to fight. Just out of school, they joined up with their schoolmates to go off on an exciting adventure. War seemed glorious in the fall of 1914 when young men from the British Empire went to France to...

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 Fine-point washable markers Construction paper in a variety of colors Preparation for Activity Set out markers and paper on work tables. Plan how you will form pairs. Be ready to make a triad if needed. Decide where you want the children's peace...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Conflict Resolution Scenarios Timepiece (minutes) Optional: Simple props Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 1 and cut the two scenarios apart Description of Activity Participants create a skit to portray a conflic...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lengths of rope, about two- to three feet each-one for each pair of participants Preparation for Activity Make sure you have an open space long enough for a race, wide enough for the whole group to stand abreast, preferably with a soft surface-i.e....

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

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...

Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, How to Fold a Paper Crane Leader Resource 3, Make a Paper Crane Mobile Origami paper in a variety of colors Pens and/or markers Four wooden chopsticks (or dowels, for a larger mobile) Sewing needle and thread Table and chairs Preparation for Activity Arra...