Tapestry of Faith: Love Connects Us: A Program on Living in Unitarian Universalist Covenant for Grades 4-5

Closing

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Taking It Home

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. If you have not yet done so, invite one or more volunteers to attach their affirmation badges to the group's wall hanging, with the comments side facing out.

When all are back together in the circle, say, in your own words:

Today we talked about the ethic of reciprocity and how some form of it appears in just about every religion. Unitarian Universalists hold this as an ideal way of living out our first Principle, which affirms each person's inherent worth and dignity, and as a way of being welcoming even to people very different from ourselves; this way of interacting is known as Radical Hospitality.

Now, ask participants to cross their arms in front of their body and then take the hands of the people on either side of them. Say "We are tied together by the spirit of love when we ... " and ask anyone who wishes to fill in a word or phrase about what ties us together in the spirit of love. When everyone who wishes to share has done so, open the circle by having everyone, while still holding hands, turn to their right, so that everyone is facing out, and no longer has their arms crossed in front of their body. (Be mindful of participants' physical mobility; use this closing activity only if you are sure all children can comfortably participate. As an alternative, simply invite the entire group to hold hands.)

Distribute copies of Taking It Home you have prepared. Thank and dismiss participants.

Including All Participants

Children in wheelchairs or with balance issues may participate in the closing ritual by sitting in a chair or wheelchair and having other children maneuver around them. This ritual does involve close physical contact, and children who are uncomfortable being touched may wish to opt out.