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

Closing

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Faithful Journeys Path
  • Signpost for Session 15 (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
  • Participants' list of simple ways to protect the Earth (Activity 4)

Preparation for Activity

  • Print out Leader Resource 2 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 practice 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 "Protect the Earth." It is for our seventh Unitarian Universalist Principle, that we respect the interdependent web of all life of which we are a part. It means we believe we should take care of the Earth so the Earth is a healthy, safe place for humans and all other living beings.

Attach the signpost to the Faithful Journeys Path.

Remind the children 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 that protects the Earth before the next meeting. Refer to the ideas children generated in Activity 4; suggest they present ideas to their parents and/or post their "Make a Difference" posters at home.

Point out the words to the UU Principles Song. Tell the children it is sung to the tune of "Old McDonald Had a Farm." If the group has completed at least one session about each of the Principles, congratulate the children on having learned about all seven Unitarian Universalist Principles. Lead them in singing all the verses of the song.

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