Session 10: Our Words Matter

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Love Surrounds Us, Grades K-1

In This Section

Introduction
From Love Surrounds Us

You must leave righteous ways behind, not to speak of unrighteous ways. — Buddha Unitarian Universalism is known for its commitment to social justice. Introducing social justice to children is an important way to explain what our faith values. This session introduces the fifth Principle, our…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Feather Toss 10 Activity 2: Story — The Talking Stick 10 Activity 3: Talking Sticks 30 Faith in Action: A Voice for Children Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Animal Skin Picture Story 15 Alternate Activity 2: Talking Stick Practice 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Love Surrounds Us

In a Unitarian Universalist congregation, voting on issues and sharing opinions are integral to membership. You may have been involved in serious discussions at your congregation about important issues of finances or ministerial leadership….
Welcoming and Entering
From Love Surrounds Us

Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Drawing paper and crayons Preparation for Activity If you have not previously made ribbons sticks or wrist ribbons for each child do it now as per instructions in Session 1, Opening….
Opening for Session 10
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Session 1, Leader Resource 1, Rote Teaching — Love Surrounds Us Song Blue cloth for centering table Preparation for…
Activity 1: Feather Toss
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Feathers, real or synthetic, about ten inches in length Modeling clay Color markers If outdoors: Chalk, or a hula hoop If indoors: Newsprint, scissors, marker, and masking tape Preparation for Activity Find an open location for this game….
Activity 2: Story, The Talking Stick
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Talking Stick” Optional: “The Talking Stick” coloring sheet, and crayons Preparation for Activity Read the story. Optional: Using instructions in Activity 3, Talking Sticks, make a sample talking stick. Set it aside to show…
Activity 3: Talking Sticks
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Small diameter sticks or dead branches from trees or bushes, or dowels cut to 12-inch lengths — one for each participant plus a few extra Small feathers, real or synthetic String, yarn, or cord in assorted colors and textures Buttons Markers, glue,…
Closing
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Invite everyone to gather in a circle and hold hands….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Love Surrounds Us

Think about the participants who participated in the session today. Did they understand how talking sticks can be useful? Did participants understand that everyone should have a chance to voice their opinions? Are there ways that you can encourage participants to use talking sticks in future…
Faith In Action: A Voice for Children
From Love Surrounds Us

Preparation for Activity Choose a shelter for homeless families or another agency that serves children. Contact the agency and ascertain what their needs are for the children. Choose a project to start with participants and their families. If you wish participants to have direct contact with the…
Alternate Activity 1: Animal Skin Picture Story
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Plain, brown paper grocery bags Markers in a variety of colors Preparation for Activity Tear brown bags into pieces at least 8 1/2x11 inches. Make enough for all participants. Tear the edges roughly to make each page look like an animal skin….
Alternate Activity 2: Talking Stick Practice
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A talking stick made in Activity 3, or another decorated or plain stick Preparation for Activity Choose an issue related to the group or the congregation that is not too complicated for this age group to discuss-for example, what kind of snack woul…
Alternate Activity 3: Heart Ribbon Magnet
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Felt hearts mounted on felt squares and magnets, assembled in Session 2, Alternate Activity 1 A roll of 1/8-inch blue ribbon Extra felt, magnets, and ribbon (red, orange, yellow, and green) for new participants, plus glue, sharp scissors, and perman…
Taking It Home: Our Words Matter
From Love Surrounds Us

You must leave righteous ways behind, not to speak of unrighteous ways. — Buddha IN TODAY’S SESSION… participants learned about the Unitarian Universalist fifth Principle, which says we are free to search for what is true and right….
The Talking Stick
From Love Surrounds Us

A retelling of a Sioux legend. This story was given to the native people many winters ago. When it was time for all of the young mothers in the village to go out to gather fruit and berries, the old grandmothers, whose legs could no longer walk quickly, were left to care for the young children of…
Find Out More
From Love Surrounds Us

Native American Traditions and Earth Prayers Books with meditations and prayers from American Indian traditions are A Grateful Heart edited by M.J. Ryan (Berkeley, CA: Conari Press, 1994) and Earth Prayers From Around the World edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon (San Francisco, CA:…