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Part of Signs of Our Faith, Grades 2-3: Being UU Every Day

In This Section

Introduction
From Signs of Our Faith

... each of the three times I have been present at the birth of one of my children, I have been overwhelmed by a sense of reverence... It was quite suddenly, the first day of creation; the Goddess giving birth to a world......
Session-at-a-Glance
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Birth in Nature 15 Activity 2: Reverence for Life 10 Activity 3: Story — Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord 15 Activity 4: Child Dedication 15 Faith in Action: Baby Cuddlers Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action — Dolls for Dedication...
Spiritual Preparation
From Signs of Our Faith

Even when a new beginning is welcome, it sometimes involves pain and sacrifice. Think about giving birth—both literally and figuratively. One idea that can keep us going, through pain and sacrifice, is that the new birth holds the promise of making our world a better place. Have you been part of...
Opening
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Centering table A chime or bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Cloth for centering table Preparation for Activity Prepare to lead the Opening described below: Set a chalice table wit...
Activity 1: Birth in Nature
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Magnifying glasses Preparation for Activity If needed, seek permission and alert parents that the children will go outside for this activity. Make sure children will have appropriate outerwear....
Activity 2: Reverence for Life
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Remind the group of how careful they were not to harm the new life forms they found in nature. Say that that action showed reverence for life found in nature. Tell the group that you will now name several actions....
Activity 3: Story - Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, "Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord" Leader Resource 1, 1 Samuel 10-17, 20 A children's book that includes the author's dedication Drawing paper, and crayons/markers to share Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resour...
Activity 4: Child Dedication
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Photos and memorabilia from child dedications in your congregation Preparation for Activity Invite one or two families to tell the group about their child dedications....
Closing
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for all participants. And/or,...
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Signs of Our Faith

What went well in this session? What have you learned that you can apply in the future? How did the children interact? Did everyone in the group enjoy the outdoor activity? How did time and logistics flow, with regard to the guests? Read the next session and assign advance preparation to co-leaders.
Faith In Action: Baby Cuddlers
From Signs of Our Faith

Preparation for Activity At least three weeks ahead of time, invite a guest speaker to talk to the group about programs that enlist volunteers to rock babies in hospitals. Search the congregation or local hospitals for a speaker....
Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Dolls for Dedications
From Signs of Our Faith

Materials for Activity Yarn, in different colors Scissors, fabric glue, and fabric markers Refreshments Music and music player Optional: An attractive basket Preparation for Activity Arrange a day, time, and space for a doll-making party....
Alternate Activity 2: Baptisms and Naming Ceremonies
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Rituals to Welcome a New Child Drawing paper and crayons/markers Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 2. Description of Activity Children explore ways different religions celebrate a birth. Tell the group they will make...
Alternate Activity 3: Religious Birth Days
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Holy Babies Leader Resource 4, For So the Children Come Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 3. Keep one copy intact; with the other copy, separate the images from the names so participants can match them. Print Leader...
Taking It Home: We Revere Life
From Signs of Our Faith

... each of the three times I have been present at the birth of one of my children, I have been overwhelmed by a sense of reverence... It was quite suddenly, the first day of creation; the Goddess giving birth to a world......
Hannah Dedicates Samuel to the Lord
From Signs of Our Faith

From the Hebrew Scriptures, 1 Samuel 1:10-17, 20, New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Hannah was a very religious woman. She spent her days praying and trying to serve God by being a good woman and good wife. She wanted to be a good mother, too, but she did not have children. This made her...
Leader Resource 1: 1 Samuel 1 10-17, 20
From Signs of Our Faith

From the Hebrew Scriptures, 1 Samuel 1:10-17, 20, New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: 'O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant,...
Leader Resource 2: Rituals to Welcome a New Child
From Signs of Our Faith

Image 1: Baptism from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Girl_at_catholic_christening.jpg… Commons; Little girl at Catholic christening. Taken September, 2005 by Nils Fretwurst. Image 2: Jewish Naming Ceremony from Wik… Commons; Rabbi Haim Sabbato blessing the baby with Birkat Kohanim at a...
Leader Resource 3: Holy Babies
From Signs of Our Faith

Image 1: Baby Jesus Image 2: Baby Moses Image 3: Baby Krishna Image 4: Birth of Aphrodite Image 5: Baby Buddha, from Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple. Used with permission. Image 6: Birth of Ganesha Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 4: For So the Children Come

Sophia Lyon Fahs

From Signs of Our Faith

For so the children come And so they have been coming. Always in the same way they come— Born of the seed of man and woman. No angels herald their beginnings No prophets predict their future courses No wise men see a star to show where to find the babe that will save humankind Yet each night a...
Find Out More
From Signs of Our Faith

"We Dedicate This Child" is a pamphlet by Unitarian Universalist minister Linda Olsen Peebles, available from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop, about the UU ritual of child dedication....