Session 2: A Heritage of Love Part of Love Connects Us In This Section Introduction From Love Connects Us God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. — Christian scripture, 1 John 4:16 Our beloved communities are places where people are tied together through the spirit of love.... Session-at-a-Glance From Love Connects Us Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 15 Activity 1: Turning Circle Inside-Out 10 Activity 2: Story — Judith Sargent Murray: Turn Around 15 Activity 3: Making Friendship Bracelets 15 Faith in Action: Helping a Younger Religious Education Group Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Spirit of... Spiritual Preparation From Love Connects Us Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for about five minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, think back to a time when you felt a strong sense of warm,... Welcoming and Entering From Love Connects Us Materials for Activity Card stock in colors of red, pink, and orange Scissors, including left-handed scissors Hole punch String or yarn Heart shaped cookie cutters or card stock to make heart-shaped templates Preparation for Activity Create a sample heart hanging: Cut a heart shape out of card... Opening From Love Connects Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and matches or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Heart ornaments cut from card stock (see Welcoming and Entering) Pens, pencils, or markers Preparation for Activity Set up chalice.... Activity 1: Turning Circle Inside-Out From Love Connects Us Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Make sure you have an open space large enough for all participants to stand in a circle with their arms outstretched.... Activity 2: Story - Judith Sargent Murray: Turn Around From Love Connects Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Judith Sargent Murray: Turn Around" Preparation for Activity Read the story several times so you are comfortable telling it to the group. Review the discussion questions and choose those that will best help the children share... Activity 3: Making Friendship Bracelets From Love Connects Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Embroidery floss or hemp cord in a variety of colors, masking tape, and scissors Chairs, tables, or other sturdy objects to which strands of floss or cord can be taped Timepiece (minutes) A bell or chime Optional: Beads, shells, or other decorative... Closing From Love Connects Us Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Optional: Friendship bracelets made in Activity 3 Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy as a handout for all participants (or, email to parents). Description of Activity Bring the group to the circle.... Leader Reflection and Planning From Love Connects Us Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? How long did it take for the participants to discover a solution to turning the circle inside out? Did it seem too easy or too challenging?... Faith In Action: Helping a Younger Religious Education Group From Love Connects Us Materials for Activity Embroidery floss or hemp cord in a variety of colors, masking tape, and scissors Chairs, tables, or other sturdy objects to which strands can be taped Optional: Beads, shells, or other decorative items with small holes in them Preparation for Activity With your religious... Alternate Activity 1: Spirit of Love Collage From Love Connects Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Magazines, catalogues, and old calendars with colorful pictures and printed words to cut up for collage Large sheet of poster board or art paper to create collage on Scissors, including left-handed scissors, and glue sticks Hole punch and yarn... Alternate Activity 2: Three Puzzles From Love Connects Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Three large floor puzzles Bell or chime Preparation for Activity Obtain three puzzles, each with at least 25 large, brightly colored, odd-shaped pieces. Then: Set aside the corner and edge pieces of all three puzzles. Take several pieces from the... Taking It Home From Love Connects Us God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. — Christian scripture, 1 John 4:16 IN TODAY'S SESSION... participants heard the story of Judith Sargent Murray and how the pioneers of Universalist thought with their emphasis upon God as love was a strong departure... Judith Sargent Murray Turn Around From Love Connects Us Like most children growing up in the American colonies before the Revolutionary War, young Judith Sargent attended church with her family on Sundays.... Find Out More From Love Connects Us Learn about Judith Sargent Murray and explore her archivesUniversalist catechism she wrote in 1782, on the Judith Sargent Murray Society website. Discover the amazing relationship between Judith and John Murray on the Brigid Alverson websitewebsi…; Learn more about Calvinism and the concept of... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Love Connects Us NEXT: Introduction Download all of Love Connects Us (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.