Session 9: Looking for Signs of Community

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

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

In This Section

Introduction
From Signs of Our Faith

What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. — Kurt Vonnegut In this session, participants consider the importance of the communities to which they…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity Minutes Opening 3 Activity 1: Story — Journey of the Birds 10 Activity 2: Bird Art 20 Activity 3: Find the Simorgh 10 Activity 4: Community Rituals 15 Faith in Action: Children As Part of the Congregational Community Closing 2 Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action: Welcoming Childre…
Spiritual Preparation
From Signs of Our Faith

Think back to your first experience with the congregation, even if you have been here since birth. What was your impression of this community? What made you feel you would like to join it? What gifts have you brought to enrich the community? Your leadership in this program is a gift, and it…
Opening
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 3 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: Story - The Journey of the Birds
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “The Journey of the Birds” Optional: Hoopoe coloring page by Jan Brett, and crayons Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Fidget Objects) Preparation for Activity Read the story so you will be comfortable…
Activity 2: Bird Art
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Materials and supplies for art project and (optional) display Preparation for Activity Decide on a project. Plan for the children to collaborate on a display, such as a mural, a mobile of paper birds, or a bulletin board or display case filled with…
Activity 3: Find the Simorgh
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Arrange an open space for playing this game. If the space is small or safety is a concern, plan for children to move about on the floor instead of walking. Description of Activity Children play a game where they move from being alone to finding…
Activity 4: Community Rituals
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stoles Preparation for Activity Write the Opening words used in this session on newsprint, and post. On another sheet of newsprint, write the Closing words for this session, and post. Post a blank sheet of…
Closing
From Signs of Our Faith

Activity time: 2 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 Optional: Items needed for a new Closing ritual (Activity 4, Community Rituals) Preparation for…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Signs of Our Faith

Think back to the first meetings of the Signs our Faith group. How has the group changed? Has it coalesced into a community, as you may have hoped it would? Does the group welcome visitors and new members? At this point in the program, how can you help the group feel more like a community? Review…
Faith In Action: Children As Part of the Congregational Community
From Signs of Our Faith

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, Six Pillars Writing instruments Simple prizes Preparation for Activity Read Six Pillars of Balanced Youth Ministry on the UUA website, so you understand each pillar. For each pillar, prepare realistic examples of ways children…
Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Welcoming Children of New Members
From Signs of Our Faith

Description of Activity Work with the group to plan a reception for the children (or families) of new members. Children in the Signs of Our Faith group can show new children around the congregation, share memories of their favorite experiences, and pair with new children as worship buddies….
Alternate Activity 2: Leadership in Action - Performing the Story
From Signs of Our Faith

Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “The Journey of the Birds” Paper invitations or blank cards, and writing implements Snacks Optional: Music and a music player Preparation for Activity Decide how, when, and for whom you will present the story as a play-for example, during worship as a Sto…
Alternate Activity 3: We Are the Ones
From Signs of Our Faith

Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “The Journey of the Birds” Recording of the song “We Are the Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)” by Sweet Honey in the Rock, and a music player Optional: Scarves Preparation for Activity Obtain a recording of the Sweet Honey in the Rock performing “We Are the…
Taking It Home: Looking for Signs of Community
From Signs of Our Faith

What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured. — Kurt Vonnegut IN TODAY’S SESSION… we discussed communities. We identified the communities to which we…
The Journey of the Birds
From Signs of Our Faith

Inspired by the ancient epic poem, “The Conference of the Birds,” by the Persian Sufi Muslim writer Fariduddin Attar. Once upon a time, all the birds in the land decided they needed a leader for their community. A leader, they thought, would make their community stronger….
Leader Resource 1: Six Pillars
From Signs of Our Faith

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

On YouTube, watch this cartoon version of “The Conference of the Birds.” The Persian Sufi Muslim Fariduddin Attar’s original poem is long, complex, and more spiritual than the story in this session. Read about the poem and the poet at the…