We convince by our presence. — Walt Whitman IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard about Unitarian Universalist Kat Sinclair, who organized a peaceful protest in which participants blocked potentially hateful signs and speech by wearing giant angel wings. We talked about air power as the power...

In stillness the world is restored. — Lao Tzu IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard a story which connected Henry David Thoreau seeking stillness at Walden Pond with the biblical story of Elijah finding God in the "still, small voice." We talked about air power as power that comes from...

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. — Charles Dickens IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard about Project Harvest Hope, a UU organization which promotes economic development in Unitarian villages in Transylvania (ethnically Hungarian Romania). This project, which was started...

Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard about Michael Covington and the Georgia Street Community Garden, an urban gardening and community center in Covington's home neighborhood in...

All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted. — St. Theresa of Avila IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard about the poet George Ella Lyons who was inspired by a friend's describing a deep sense of place and roots to write the poem "Where I'm From." They explored...

Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. — Rachel Carson, 20th-century environmental activist IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard an Australian Aboriginal story of the creation of the world from the dreamtime. We introduced the idea that...

Ritual is the way we carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the spark that must not go out. — Christina Baldwin, in Life's Companion: Journal Writing As a Spiritual Quest IN TODAY'S SESSION... the group learned about the Unitarian Universalist tradition of flower ceremony with a story about...

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. — Maya Angelou, poet and author IN TODAY'S SESSION... we learned how we use respectful words and actions in our relationships. Respectful words and actions...

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 .

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...