Session 13: Feeling Sad

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

Lean on me when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. — “Lean On Me,” Hymn 1021 in Singing the Journey Preschool children need to know that everyone has sad feelings and that we are able to bring these sad feelings to our congregation. Being with others who are also…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Memorial Service 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Helping children accept and name their feelings requires that parents and leaders acknowledge the authenticity of whatever they are feeling. Our next step is to help them find the words to express what they are experiencing. As…
Opening
From Chalice Children

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Alert families that this week’s topic is loss and death, and invite them to send in wit…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity In advance, alert parents and caregivers about the topic of this…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Varley, 1992. Badger’s friends are sad when he dies, but they treasure the legacies he left them….
Activity 5: Memorial Service
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A music player and a recording of “Pachelbel’s Canon” or other solemn music Battery-operated tea lights, one for each child Paper towels, moistened For flower collages: Pictures of flowers, cut-out from magazines; child-friendly scissors, including…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any Circle Games posters you have made. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs. Keep the pace brisk to help the children stay focused.
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and make a copy for each child….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Taking It Home: Feeling Sad
From Chalice Children

Lean on me when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on. — “Lean On Me,” Hymn 1021 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY’S SESSION … the theme was “At our church [congregation], we share our sad feelings and have memorial services for people who have died.” We created a…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

“http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Health-Support/Grief-and-Loss/2000/11/C… Your Own Memorial Service,” excerpts from Remembering Well by Sarah York, on the BeliefNet website. http://searlsermons.blogspot.com/2012/09/teaching-wrold-to-die-unitaria… the World to Die: Unitarian Universalist Death…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 13: Feeling Sad

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