Session 7: Book of Ruth

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Creating Home, Kindergarten-1st Grade

In This Section

Introduction
From Creating Home

What is home? A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship….
Session-at-a-Glance
From Creating Home

ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Ruth and Naomi 10 Activity 2: Moving 10 Activity 3: Memory Game 12 Activity 4: Story — Owen and Mzee 10 Activity 5: Friendship Bracelets 18 Faith In Action: Making Fleece Blankets for Homeless People — Short-term 45 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Creating Home

Most of us, by adulthood, have lived in more than one home. What have your homes been like? Why have you moved? How did it feel to move? If you have asked children to bring a transitional object with them today, prepare to lead their sharing. Do you have a transitional object? Did you bring it?…
Opening
From Creating Home

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Labyrinth Basket of name stones Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice-lighting words on newsprint, and post. Memorize the…
Activity 1: Story - Ruth and Naomi
From Creating Home

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of story, “Ruth and Naomi” Optional: “Ruth and Naomi” coloring sheet, and crayons Preparation for Activity Review the story, “Ruth and Naomi.” Print out the story, and prepare to tell it in your own words so you do not have to read directly…
Activity 2: Moving
From Creating Home

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Optional: Customize and distribute Leader Resource 1, Advance Letter to Parents one or two weeks ahead of this session. Description of Activity Children will have an opportunity to share personal stories about moving and re-establishing home. Use…
Activity 3: Memory Game
From Creating Home

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Set of 14 picture cards, made with Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards Optional: Index cards Preparation for Activity Print out two copies of Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards….
Activity 4: Story - Owen And Mzee
From Creating Home

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity An illustrated book about Owen and Mzee (see “Leader Resources”), or a computer with internet access Set of 14 memory game picture cards from Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards, the seven sets of pairs used in Activity 3 A copy of the sto…
Activity 5: Friendship Bracelet
From Creating Home

Activity time: 18 minutes Materials for Activity…
Closing
From Creating Home

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Labyrinth, with participants’ name stones placed upon it Basket for name stones Optional: Index cards or post-its, bold markers, and tape Optional: A copy of Singing t…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Creating Home

In this session, the group explored who shares family homes together, why families live where they do, and what it is like to move and reestablish home. Did the activities turn out well? Did you feel you had allowed adequate time for sharing, or do you think some children felt rushed?…
Faith In Action: Making Fleece Blankets for Homeless People - Short-term
From Creating Home

Activity time: 45 minutes Materials for Activity Large pieces of fleece fabric Scissors, including left-handed scissors Preparation for Activity Identify a homeless shelter in your area where you can donate the blankets participants make….
Alternate Activity 1: Show and Tell
From Creating Home

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity…
Alternate Activity 2: New Home
From Creating Home

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper and crayons or markers Description of Activity Here is an activity that can help children experience cooperation, shared decision-making, division of responsibilities, and active participation by playing at being a family and making a…
Taking It Home: Book of Ruth
From Creating Home

What is home? A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship….
Owen and Mzee
From Creating Home

Once upon a time in Kenya, on a peaceful river near the east coast of Africa, a herd of hippopotamus was surprised by heavy rain. The rain washed them away from their river home, toward the Indian Ocean. Then came something worse. A tsunami! In the huge, windy storm the ocean waters became strong.
Ruth and Naomi
From Creating Home

Adapted from Hebrew scripture. Once long ago, in the city of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, there lived a man named Elimelech. Elimelech was married to Naomi and they had two sons, Kilion and Mahlon. The time came when a great famine struck Bethlehem and none of the farmers could produce enough…
Leader Resource 1: Advance Letter to Parents
From Creating Home

Dear Families: Next session, we will talk about re-establishing homes. Children will have an opportunity to tell their stories about moving….
Leader Resource 2: Memory Game Picture Cards
From Creating Home

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Creating Home

If your congregation has children’s Bibles, you may like to have one on hand for children who wish to read another version of the Book of Ruth, Chapters 1-4. Read or hear National Public Radio’s original report about Owen and Mzee online….