Session 7: Book of Ruth Part of Creating Home In This Section Introduction From Creating Home What is home? A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship.... Session-at-a-Glance From Creating Home ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Ruth and Naomi 10 Activity 2: Moving 10 Activity 3: Memory Game 12 Activity 4: Story — Owen and Mzee 10 Activity 5: Friendship Bracelets 18 Faith In Action: Making Fleece Blankets for Homeless People — Short-term 45 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1:... Spiritual Preparation From Creating Home Most of us, by adulthood, have lived in more than one home. What have your homes been like? Why have you moved? How did it feel to move? If you have asked children to bring a transitional object with them today, prepare to lead their sharing. Do you have a transitional object? Did you bring it?... 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: Story - Ruth and Naomi From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of story, "Ruth and Naomi" Optional: “Ruth and Naomi” coloring sheet, and crayons Preparation for Activity Review the story, "Ruth and Naomi." Print out the story, and prepare to tell it in your own words so you do not have to read directly... Activity 2: Moving From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Optional: Customize and distribute Leader Resource 1, Advance Letter to Parents one or two weeks ahead of this session. Description of Activity Children will have an opportunity to share personal stories about moving and re-establishing home. Use... Activity 3: Memory Game From Creating Home Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Set of 14 picture cards, made with Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards Optional: Index cards Preparation for Activity Print out two copies of Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards.... Activity 4: Story - Owen And Mzee From Creating Home Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity An illustrated book about Owen and Mzee (see "Leader Resources"), or a computer with internet access Set of 14 memory game picture cards from Leader Resource 2, Memory Game Picture Cards, the seven sets of pairs used in Activity 3 A copy of the sto... Activity 5: Friendship Bracelet From Creating Home Activity time: 18 minutes Materials for Activity... 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 upon it Basket for name stones Optional: Index cards or post-its, bold markers, and tape Optional: A copy of Singing t... Leader Reflection and Planning From Creating Home In this session, the group explored who shares family homes together, why families live where they do, and what it is like to move and reestablish home. Did the activities turn out well? Did you feel you had allowed adequate time for sharing, or do you think some children felt rushed?... Faith In Action: Making Fleece Blankets for Homeless People - Short-term From Creating Home Activity time: 45 minutes Materials for Activity Large pieces of fleece fabric Scissors, including left-handed scissors Preparation for Activity Identify a homeless shelter in your area where you can donate the blankets participants make.... Alternate Activity 1: Show and Tell From Creating Home Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity... Alternate Activity 2: New Home From Creating Home Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper and crayons or markers Description of Activity Here is an activity that can help children experience cooperation, shared decision-making, division of responsibilities, and active participation by playing at being a family and making a... Taking It Home From Creating Home What is home? A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship.... Owen and Mzee From Creating Home Once upon a time in Kenya, on a peaceful river near the east coast of Africa, a herd of hippopotamus was surprised by heavy rain. The rain washed them away from their river home, toward the Indian Ocean. Then came something worse. A tsunami! In the huge, windy storm the ocean waters became strong. Ruth and Naomi From Creating Home Adapted from Hebrew scripture. Once long ago, in the city of Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, there lived a man named Elimelech. Elimelech was married to Naomi and they had two sons, Kilion and Mahlon. The time came when a great famine struck Bethlehem and none of the farmers could produce enough... Leader Resource 1: Advance Letter to Parents From Creating Home Dear Families: Next session, we will talk about re-establishing homes. Children will have an opportunity to tell their stories about moving.... Leader Resource 2: Memory Game Picture Cards From Creating Home Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Find Out More From Creating Home If your congregation has children's Bibles, you may like to have one on hand for children who wish to read another version of the Book of Ruth, Chapters 1-4. Read or hear National Public Radio's original report about Owen and Mzee online.... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Creating Home NEXT: Introduction Download all of Creating Home (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.