Session 11: Privilege Is A Blessing We Give Away To Be In Community

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

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Part of Windows and Mirrors, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Windows and Mirrors

The tighter you squeeze, the less you have. — Thomas Merton To whom much is given is much required. — Christian scripture, Luke 12:49 It is easy to “own” our skills and resources which are well practiced or hard-won, such as educational achievements and professional success. However, we often…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: What Is Privilege? 5 Activity 2: Window/Mirror Panel — My Privilege 15 Activity 3: Making a Machine 15 Activity 4: Story — Juliette Hampton Morgan 10 Activity 5: Penny Game 5 Faith in Action: Sharing Our Gifts, Skills and Talents Closing 5 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Windows and Mirrors

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Make yourself comfortable; light a candle to mark the time as different from your other activities. Close your eyes and breathe deeply and perhaps repeat one word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. Prepare for the…
Opening
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Large, round mirror to hold the chalice Reflective materials, such as beads or pieces of stained glass Newsprint, markers and tape Opening Words Basket and opening words (see Session 1, Leader Resource 1)…
Activity 1: What Is Privilege?
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Post two sheets of newsprint. Label one “Privileges” and the other “Skills.” Description of Activity Gather the children….
Activity 2: Window/Mirror Panel - My Privilege
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity All participants’ Window/Mirror Panels Newsprint lists of “Privileges” and “Skills” from Activity 1 Paper or card stock, cut to a size that can be placed within Window/Mirror Panels Optional: Paint and paintbrushes, pastels or other art media…
Activity 3: Making a Machine
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Slips of paper with the names of common machines (blender, washing machine, car, etc.) and a basket to hold the slips of paper. Preparation for Activity Decide how you will form “families” of three to five children for this activity….
Activity 4: Story - Juliette Hampton Morgan
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Juliette Hampton Morgan” A bell, chime, rain stick or other musical noisemaker Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times. Consider telling it dramatically, rather than reading it from the page. Practice telling it….
Activity 5: Penny Game
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Small bags containing different numbers of pennies for all participants, plus a few extra Preparation for Activity Prior to the session, prepare for each child a small bag containing four, five or six pennies. Make extra for visitors or newcomers.
Closing
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Taking It Home handout Optional: A copy of Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Namaste Preparation for Activity Identify a place for participants to store their Window/Mirror Panels between sessions. Keep in mind, there may be…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Windows and Mirrors

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn’t? What connections did children make with the activities and/or the central ideas? How could you tell that was occurring? What connections did you make…
Faith In Action: Sharing Our Privilege and Our Gifts
From Windows and Mirrors

Materials for Activity Determined by the outcome of the preparation; children may bring an instrument, art supplies, something they baked etc. Preparation for Activity Ask your minister and/or religious educator for names of some people in the congregation who are sick or unable to attend church.
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Our Privilege and Skills - Reading to Younger Children
From Windows and Mirrors

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Books from your congregational or local library, appropriate for pre-school children Preparation for Activity Arrange with your religious educator to have the group read to a pre-school age group….
Taking It Home: Privilege Is A Blessing We Give Away To Be In Community
From Windows and Mirrors

The tighter you squeeze, the less you have. — Thomas Merton To whom much is given is much required. — Christian scripture, Luke 12:49 IN TODAY’S SESSION… The group learned about privilege and what it means to have it and to share it. Privilege is defined, for the purpose of this session, as…
Juliette Hampton Morgan
From Windows and Mirrors

Adapted from a story provided on the http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/juliette-hampton-morgan-white-woman-who… Tolerance website. Juliette Morgan was the only child of Frank and Lila Morgan of Montgomery, Alabama . Morgan attended the best schools and graduated near the top of her class in college…
Find Out More
From Windows and Mirrors

Juliette Hampton Morgan Juliette Morgan’s public support of desegregation cost not only her social status and family relationships, but also her livelihood. These losses are probably why she took her own life. When the mayor of Montgomery, Alabama failed to convince the city library management to…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 11: Privilege Is A Blessing We Give Away To Be In Community

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