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 8 (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:

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 "Seek Truth." It is for our fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle, a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. It means that as Unitarian Universalists we are always trying to understand the world better. We are open to other people's different ways of understanding the world. And, we are open to ways our own understanding may change as we grow and learn.

Attach the signpost to the Faithful Journeys Path.

Remind the children that the next time they meet they will have a chance to add Faithful Footprints to the Faithful Journeys Path. Encourage them to try to do an action during the week that shows they seek truth and value others' ideas of what is true. Brainstorm together what sorts of action might reflect free, responsible truth-seeking. You might suggest: talking with a friend or family member about big questions such as "How did the world begin?" and "Where do people come from?" and sharing your different answers; listening to someone else's side in an argument; or reading a book, visiting a website, or watching a television program to learn about something new.

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 fourth 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.