With partner songs and rounds, you can do a mix-it-up. A partner song is made up of two or more songs that are sung at the same time. UU song leader Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, for example, combines the chorus of "Wade in the Water" with "I Wanna Die Easy When I Die" and some...

The simplest form of group dance is the line dance, in which the dancers follow the leader either in a circle or in free patterns around the room. They can hold hands, place their hands on each other's shoulders, or place them around each other's waist....

Creating a sense of ritual can also have a calming effect and help you manage discipline. We need to honor children's sense of play, but we also need to create basic discipline. Discipline need not mean the old hierarchical model of the oppressive teacher, but discipline does require a supportive...

Music for worship in the classroom setting can take a variety of directions. You can honor the traditional adult way of worshiping, with preludes, hymns, offertories, and postludes, or you can take many new directions. Whatever you do, give worship a sense of ritual. As you light the chalice, for...

Pete Seeger decides to build a ship, like the great sailing ships that had traveled the river 100 years ago, back when it was clean and clear.

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Pete Seeger songs, and music player Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Select a medley of Pete Seeger songs about stewardship of the Earth and its resources. The CD Pete (Earth Music Productions, 1996) has several songs with water...

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity In a round-robin story, one person begins a story by speaking one sentence aloud. The next person adds a sentence, and so it goes around and around the circle until time runs out or the story reaches a logical end. Invite the group to sit in a...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition Optional: A recording of "Blue Boat Home" Seeds for butterfly gardens Preparation for Activity Decide whether you will teach, perform or...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Paper and pencils/pens, envelopes and postage stamps Preparation for Activity Decide with co-leaders and your religious educator who will mail the participants their letters, some months from now....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity River Scene mural (Workshop 1, Activity 2) Colorful card stock or construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, paper clips and tape Optional: Natural colored tissue paper (for sails) Optional: Music, and a music player Preparation for Activity Retrie...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "The Clearwater" Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity At least one large pan or tray Water Small, floating "boats" such as corks or small pieces of wood-any small, light object that will float Newspaper or tarp to cover floor Preparation for Activity Find a table or floor space where participants can...

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Keep track of river activism and its impact, see video of Pete Seeger in concert, and find out about Clearwater children's camps and programs on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater website....

Meet with your co-leaders after the workshop to reflect on it and share your overall responses to your involvement in Gather the Spirit. If the group will continue its stewardship activities in any way, how can you support the group? Be specific (and realistic) about the time and effort you will...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Clear bowl to serve as a chalice A small, hardy plant (such as a spider plant or shamrock plant) Optional: Small table Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Adapt Taking It Home for your group. Prepare...

Materials for Activity Paper and pencils/pens Optional: Clipboards Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity If the congregation has a Green Sanctuary committee, invite the members to participate in this Faith in Action. Obtain information on finding and fixing leaky pipes on...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Clear bowl to serve as a chalice Cup of water A small, hardy plant (such as a spider plant or shamrock plant) Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Gather the Spirit blog access instructions Optional: Music and music player Optional: Small table...

Reflect back to a very "aware" moment you have spent on the water—a time in a canoe, perhaps rocking on a wide lake, when you could appreciate the vast sweep of universe and nature. In the moments before this workshop begins, with all your preparations complete, meditate on the sensation of...