Closing
Part of 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.
- Bring the "lit" preschool chalice to the activity table.
- Optional: Punch a hole in the corner of each envelope, string the yarn or ribbon through the envelope, and tie it in a loop or a bow.
Description of Activity
Keep the children in their circle, and bring over the chalice. Offer these closing words while you extinguish the chalice, and invite the children to repeat them after you:
We gather the warmth of love, [bring hands over "flame" and gather to your heart]
The light of truth, [bring hands over "flame" and gather to your heart again]
And the energy of action [bring hands over "flame" and gather to your heart again]
Into our hearts as we blow out the chalice. [blow out the "flame"]
Back into the world of do and say, [hold world in cupped hands]
Carry it forward into the dawning day. [arms overhead, hands together making the sun]
May we remember: Here at [name of congregation] we light candles for special times.
May we remember: Here at church [or, name of congregation] we celebrate and care for the earth on Earth Day and every day!
While waiting for family members to pick the children up, invite the children to decorate the handout to take home. Optional: Place each handout in an envelope and tie with ribbon, as a gift to the parent(s).