Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Faithful Journeys: A Program about Pilgrimages of Faith in Action for Grades 2-3

Closing

Activity time: 7 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Faithful Journeys Path
  • Signpost for Session 13 (Leader Resource 3) and pins, glue stick or tape
  • Copies of Session 1, Leader Resource 8, UU Principles Song, for all participants
  • Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Print out Leader Resource 3 and cut out the signpost.
  • Optional: Write the UU Principles Song lyrics on newsprint, and post.
  • Customize, print out and photocopy the Taking It Home section for all participants.

Description of Activity

This activity helps children get used to practicing a closing ritual as a way of affirming their belonging in the faith community.

Gather the group in a circle. Thank the children for participating and sharing their stories and ideas in this session. Tell them something you liked about the way they worked together as a community.

Point out the Faithful Journeys Path. Say, in your own words:

Our Faithful Journeys Path shows our journey to live our lives and act in ways that reflect our Unitarian Universalist beliefs and faith. The signposts direct us by reminding us about our Principles.

Today's signpost is "Build World Community." It is for our sixth Unitarian Universalist Principle, the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. It means that as Unitarian Universalists we care about all the people of the world. We want to build connections that help create a peaceful world where all people treat each other, and each other's countries, fairly and with kindness. It means we want to learn about people whose countries and lives are different from ours and find out what we have in common.

Attach the signpost to the Faithful Journeys Path.

Remind the children that they will have a chance to add Faithful Footprints to the Faithful Journeys Path the next time they meet. Encourage them to try to do an action before your next session that could help build a world community. Brainstorm some actions. You might suggest learning about life in another country through library or online research, asking someone you know from another country what it is like there, or trying a new food of another country or culture.

Point out the words to the UU Principles Song. Tell the children it is sung to the tune of "Old McDonald Had a Farm." Lead the children in singing the verse about the sixth Principle. Then, sing the entire song together. Explain that you will learn about all of the Principles during the Faithful Journeys program.

Distribute the Taking It Home handout. Thank the children, tell them you look forward to seeing them next time, and dismiss the group.