Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Creating Home: A Program on Developing a Sense of Home Grounded in Faith for Grades K-1

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Lighter and extinguisher, if needed
  • Labyrinth
  • Basket or bowl of name stones
  • Newsprint, markers, and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Write the chalice-lighting words on newsprint, and post.
  • Memorize the chalice-lighting words so you can make eye contact with participants while you say them.
  • Spread the labyrinth on the floor with the chalice in the center.
  • On top of the labyrinth, place the basket or bowl of stones.

Description of Activity

As children enter, invite them to retrieve their name stones from the basket and join you at the labyrinth. The labyrinth should be spread upon the floor with the chalice in the center and matches or a lighter at hand, if needed. Be aware of newcomers or guests in the room. Always have extra stones so you can offer the new people a chance to be part of the ritual.

When all are seated, light the chalice and recite these opening words. Invite everyone to say with you:

We are Unitarian Universalists,

with minds that think,

hearts that love,

and hands that are ready to serve.

Tell the group, in your own words:

This labyrinth reminds us that we are taking a journey together. Every time we meet, we move forward in our journey, and everyone is asked to place his or her stone within the labyrinth. Each stone is a symbol of us as fellow members of this Creating Home community.

When it is your turn to place your name stone on the labyrinth, please say your name and share any joys or concerns you have had since we last met. Joys are the things that make you feel happy. Concerns are worries. Sharing our joys and concerns with each other is a tradition in our faith community.

Allow children, one at a time, to step onto the labyrinth, speak their joys and concerns, place their stones, and return to the circle. Close the joys and concerns by affirming that it is very good to be together. Extinguish the chalice.