Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy it for each child. Bring the "lit" preschool chalice to the activity...

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.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. What are the salient features of a special worship service at your congregation? The beauty of the flower ceremony, as the vases or piles of flowers grow with each contribution?...

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Special Worship Service: Flower Ceremony 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Water Ceremony 15 Alternate Activity 2: Sharing of Bre...

Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. — "Spirit of Life," Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition Unitarian Universalists have many special worship services. This session guides you to introduce a flower ceremony (known in some congregations as a flower...

Check out the "Ceremony of Child Dedication" by Kate Howard on the UUA website. Consider this blog post by John Halstead, Dedication and Second Thoughts on Unitarian Universalism," The Allergic Pagan blog, August 7, 2012.

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?

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.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How long has it been since you were a baby, cradled in a parent's arms? Each of us holds that beginning within us. Bring to mind some of the people around you. Imagine the baby and child that they used to be....

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: A Visit from a Baby 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Making a Bird Nest 15...

Sleep, my child and peace attend you, all through the night. I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. — "Sleep, My Child," Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition Sophia L. Fahs identifies the discovery of one's own birth as one of 12 main types of experiences that are connected...

Oh, you can be anybody you want to be, you can love whomever you will. — "Everything Possible," Hymn 1019 in Singing the Journey The children learn that weddings and services of union happen in your congregation between two people who love each other. They spend time playing with the...

You got to do when the spirit says do! — "When the Spirit Says Do," Hymn 1024 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION... We celebrated the gentler aspects of Halloween and helped the preschoolers enjoy and understand the traditions while they explore their fears. EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER....

Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. — "Spirit of Life," Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . ....

Hear the http://smallscreen.uua.org/videos/before-you-start-for-love-will-guide-… clip of Kathleen Tracy sing the song. The Music (PDF) can be found here. (NOTE: The PDF will not load into the downloaded word version of the curriculum - you'll need to download it separately.) The sense of wonder...

Family Diversity Projects creates books, curriculum, and easy-to-display exhibits to help eliminate prejudice, stereotyping, bullying, and harassment of people who are discriminated against due to sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, national origin, religion, and disabilities of al...

From The Same-Sex Wedding Guide: A Resource for Same-Sex Couples and Ministers, by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns, 2004. The quotation in Reading 1 comes from A Book of Pagan Rituals, edited by Herman Slater, 1978. Reading 1...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Wedding Ceremony Readings Two stuffed bears (or other stuffed animals) Wedding-related items Wedding music and equipment to play it Three battery-operated tea lights Something festive to drink, such as sparkling white grape juice...

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 Two teddy bears (or two other stuffed animals) Preparation for Activity Post the...

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.