Session 3: A Tour of the Outside of Our Congregation

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

And the Earth is my blue boat home. — “Blue Boat Home” by Peter Mayer, Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey Celebrate the outdoors and the web of life by exploring the outside of your facility. Engage children in caring for the grounds to develop their sense of belonging and teach them about…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Tour 15 Activity 5: Story 5 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Imagine the outside of your facility, or find a quiet time when you can explore it by yourself. In your mind’s eye or in real time, walk quietly around the grounds, stopping at sites that interest you. Absorb the feel of the place.
Opening
From Chalice Children

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.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a marker and a…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Time…
Activity 4: Tour
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Tour rope (a rope with a loop for each child to hold on to) Optional: Piece of bread, some birdseed, or other food for a bird or animal Optional: Camera or smartphone Optional: Story book Preparation for Activity Explore the outside of yo…
Activity 5: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from these suggestions: All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (1994). Told in the voice of a child who lives on a farm with his parents and grandparents, the child introduces readers to the…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs listed in Posters for Chalice Children, under Resources in the Introduction. Display any posters you have made. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs.
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope Optional: Hole punch Optional: Yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy it for each child….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

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?
Taking It Home: A Tour of the Outside of Our Congregation
From Chalice Children

And the Earth is my blue boat home. — “Blue Boat Home” by Peter Mayer, Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY’S SESSION … We took a walk around the outside of the congregation to explore the special places of our “church [congregational] home.” EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER … Invite your…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Read about UUs and nature on the UU Ministry for the Earth website. Select “Sermons” to read a variety of sermons on the web of life. Listen to “Blue Boat Home” (Hymn 1064 in Singing the Journey) on YouTube.

Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 3: A Tour of the Outside of Our Congregation

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