Closing
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 cards or post-its, bold markers, and tape
Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition
Preparation for Activity
- Review Hymn 1008 in Singing the Journey, "When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place." Decide whether you prefer to have the children sing or recite the chorus words to close this session. If you will need the words and/or music to lead the group, place a copy of Singing the Journey near your chalice.
- Customize, print out, and photocopy the Taking It Home section for all participants.
- If you have a Word Wall, write the words "cottage," "journal," and "nature" with bold marker on index cards.
Description of Activity
Gather the group in a circle around the labyrinth. Tell the group that it is now time to share a closing ritual. Relight the chalice.
Invite the children to take their stones from the labyrinth and return them to the basket. Then, ask a few volunteers to help you fold or roll the labyrinth and put it away.
If you have a Word Wall, tell participants:
The words for our World Wall today are "cottage," "journal," and "nature."
Show the group the index cards or post-its on which you have written "cottage," "journal," and "nature." Post them on the Word Wall, or ask a volunteer to do so.
Next, invite everyone to hold hands and sing the chorus to "When Our Heart Is in a Holy Place," Hymn 1008 in Singing the Journey.
If you prefer, invite participants to recite the words to the song:
When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place.
We are blessed with love and amazing grace.
When our heart is in a holy place.
Say in your own words:
Today we have been talking about Henry David Thoreau. We remember that Henry built his cottage in natural surroundings and this became his favorite home. We hope that after our session today, as you go back to doing all the things you normally do, you will also take a moment to observe nature as Henry did. Stop, look, and see what nature has to teach you. We will see you next time.
Extinguish the chalice.
Distribute the Taking It Home handout you have prepared. Remind participants to give the handout to their parents.
Thank and dismiss participants.