Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Chalice Children: A Program about Our Unitarian Universalist Community for Preschoolers

Spiritual Preparation

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Has spring arrived in your area? What signs of rebirth have you or will you see? Is this rebirth important in your celebration of Easter? Do you include the story of Jesus? What are your feelings surrounding the traditional crucifixion and resurrection story of Jesus Christ? It is a sad story and reminds us how cruel we can be to each other. It adds a bittersweet remembrance to the teachings of Jesus as a beloved teacher. Do you remember the cruelty of the killing of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well? These men also were beloved leaders. Ponder the existence of both facets—the cruelty and the hope for a better world. Move toward the hope and joy, once more, again, as spring arrives and brings with it another chance, another rebirth. When we hold both facets in our hearts, we hold a mature, deep, and abiding love, despite cruelty, which was the essence of Jesus' teaching. While we do not share the crucifixion and resurrection story with young children, hold this deep abiding love in your heart as you work with them.