Session 14: Comings and Goings Part of Creating Home In This Section Introduction From Creating Home We have to celebrate, because this brother of yours ... he was lost and has been found. — Christian scripture, Luke 15:32 In Creating Home, children discover and think about the journey that we as individual Unitarian Universalists take as we move between our family homes and our faith home. When... Session-at-a-Glance From Creating Home ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: Lost and Found Game 5 Activity 2: Story — The Lost Son 10 Activity 3: Welcome Home Poster 10 Activity 4: Stick Puppets 15 Activity 5: Rhythmic Chant 10 Faith in Action: Home and Away — Long-term 30 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: On the Path Home 10... Spiritual Preparation From Creating Home Sit or stand in the middle of the meeting room and close your eyes. Slowly breathe in, hold for a count of four and breathe out. Slowly read the story, "The Lost Son." What word calls to you? Think about that word. Concentrate on feelings surrounding that word.... Opening From Creating Home Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Labyrinth Basket of name stones Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice-lighting words on newsprint, and post. Memorize the... Activity 1: Lost and Found Game From Creating Home Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Five large buttons Description of Activity This game will help children understand that objects, if lost, can be found.... Activity 2: Story - The Lost Son From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of story, "The Lost Son" Optional: A quarter, two dimes, and a nickel Optional: “The Lost Son” coloring sheet, and crayons Preparation for Activity Review the story, "The Lost Son" so you will comfortable telling it instead of reading it to... Activity 3: Welcome Home Posters From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Large roll of paper, such as butcher paper or brown mailing wrap Optional: Large pieces of construction paper for all participants Crayons and markers Scissors (including left-handed scissors) Preparation for Activity... Activity 4: Stick Puppets From Creating Home Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1, Lost Son Stick Puppets Crayons or markers Tongue depressors or straws, at least three for all participants Tape, glue sticks, or a stapler Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1, Lost Son Stick Puppets, on card stock for all... Activity 5: Rhythmic Chant From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Rhythm sticks, a pair for each participant Optional: Color markers or fast-drying paint Optional: Handouts for all participants, made from Leader Resource 1, Rhythmic Chant Preparation for Activity Download and print out Leader Resource 1, Rhythmic... Closing From Creating Home Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Labyrinth, with participants' name stones placed on it Basket for name stones Optional: Index card or post-it, bold marker, and tape Preparation for Activity Review Hy... Leader Reflection and Planning From Creating Home Some children at this age have gone away from their homes and returned more than once. Others have never spent a night away from home. There may be some in Creating Home who have left a home and settled into a new one, never to return to the first.... Faith In Action: Home and Away - Long-term From Creating Home Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Blank paper for all participants Long letter envelopes and postage stamps Crayons, markers, and items to decorate cards Text messages made from Leader Resource 2, Home and Away Cards, scissors (including left-handed scissors), and rubber cement or... Alternate Activity 1: On The Path Home From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of On the Path Home for all participants Crayons or markers Preparation for Activity Download, print, and photocopy On the Path Home Description of Activity Children love to do simple mazes. This maze resembles a labyrinth; there are several... Taking It Home From Creating Home We have to celebrate, because this brother of yours …he was lost and has been found. – Christian scripture, Luke 15:32 IN TODAY’S SESSION… Today we used a version of the Prodigal Son story from Christian scripture as a way of focusing on the ways we move away from and back into our homes. The Lost Son From Creating Home Adapted from Christian scripture. There once was a father, who had two sons. The younger son wanted to leave home and travel to distant lands. He asked to have his inheritance. So the father divided his wealth and gave each son his half. The older son stayed at home, continuing to work with his... Handout 1: Lost Son Stick Puppets From Creating Home Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Handout 2: On the Path From Creating Home Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Leader Resource 1: Rhythmic Chant From Creating Home We get up in the morning 1 2 3 hold and we go to school 1 2 3 hold We all come home (hold). 1 2 3 hold We all come home (hold) 1 2 3 hold We go to (name of your congregation) 1 2 3 hold and it’s really cool. 1 2 3 hold We all come home (hold).... Leader Resource 2: Home and Away Cards From Creating Home Customize this text message. Then, cut and paste it multiple times into another document, so you can print four or five identical messages on one page. Make as many photocopies as you need for the cards you plan to send to college students. Hello, ____________________! I am in kindergarten/first... Find Out More From Creating Home A book about finding family home in a non-traditional setting is Coming Home: from the life of Langston Hughes by Floyd Cooper (New York: Philomel, a division of Putnam and Grosset Group, 1994). 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