Session 5: A Miracle Inside

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Miracles, Wide Age Span

In This Section

Introduction
From Miracles

The moment of change is the only poem. — Adrienne Rich, 20th-century American poet If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves. — Thomas Edison (1847-1931) As part of the web of life, each of us embodies a miraculous, natural, and constant state of physical change. But…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Miracles

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments 5 Activity 2: Story – How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor 10 Activity 3: Miraculous Flexagon 35 Faith In Action: Reminding Others about Personal Transformation 20 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Paper Snowflakes 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Miracles

Set aside five minutes before the session. Reflect on the ways you have changed during your life. Which changes have happened to you? Which have you intentionally made? Think of an important change you made inside yourself, for the better. How did you do it?…
Opening
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the opening words on newsprint, and post. Description of Activity Gather participants in a circle. Welcome new participants and welcome back…
Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Sheets of newsprint with definition(s) of a miracle generated by the group Preparation for Activity Post the definition(s) of a miracle the group generated in Session 1 along with any revisions made in subsequent sessions.
Activity 2: Story – How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor
From Miracles

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor” Preparation for Activity Read the story “How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor.” Consider how you might tell it dramatically, perhaps using different voices for Brigit and the landowner. If…
Activity 3: Miraculous Flexagon
From Miracles

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Hexaflexagon Illustration Leader Resource 1, Hexaflexagon Template and Instructions Scissors, including left-handed scissors Fine- and medium-point color markers to share Optional: Cellophane tape Optional: A…
Closing
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Session 1, Handout 1, Say “Yes” to a Miracle Optional: Session 1, Handout 2, For the Beauty of the Earth Preparation for Activity Review the song suggestions. Find lyrics and melody notes for…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Miracles

Reflect together on the session. How was our mix of discussion and action? How well did the timing of this session work? How well did participants understand and engage with spiritual concepts? How can we tell? Does the group include children who have trouble focusing?…
Faith In Action: Reminding Others about Personal Transformation
From Miracles

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Poster board, blank paper, and/or index cards Color markers Scissors, including left-handed scissors Preparation for Activity Arrange with your religious educator, minister, and lay leaders for the group to display and/…
Alternate Activity 1: Paper Snowflakes
From Miracles

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity White paper and scissors (including left-handed scissors), for all participants Color markers and/or color pencils to share Preparation for Activity Practice snowflake-cutting to become comfortable teaching this craft….
Taking It Home: A Miracle Inside
From Miracles

The moment of change is the only poem. — Adrienne Rich, 20th-century American poet If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves. — Thomas Edison, American inventor (1847-1931) IN TODAY’S SESSION… we heard a Celtic folk tale in which Brigit tricks a landowner to share…
How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor
From Miracles

A Celtic pagan story from Ireland, told by Erica Helm Meade in her book of wisdom tales, The Moon in the Well (Peru, Illinois: Open Court/Carus, 2001). Permission pending….
Handout 1: Hexaflexagon Illustration
From Miracles

From Robin Moseley’s Flexagon Portal website, which offers detailed instructions for working with this and many other flexagon shapes. Used with permission. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 1: Hexaflexagon Template and Instructions
From Miracles

From Gathering for Gardner, a conference, foundation, and community of people connected to Martin Gardner, 1914-2010, who popularized the flexagon. Permission pending. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Miracles

Reflections on Brigit’s Power How did Brigit change the landowner? In her book, The Moon in the Well (Peru, Illinois: Open Court/Carus, 2001), Erica Helm Meade provides commentary on the story “How Brigit Got Lands for the Poor,” which reads, in part: The landholder in this tale seems a greedy…