Alternate Activity 1: Greeting Cards
Part of Love Surrounds Us
Activity time: 15 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Pre-cut, blank greeting cards or plain paper
- Envelopes
- Markers
- Names and addresses of selected card recipients
Preparation for Activity
- Ask a minister or your pastoral care committee for the names and addresses of people who could use a card to cheer them up.
- Set materials on work tables to share.
Description of Activity
Sometimes a simple hello in a card can make a huge difference to someone who is lonely or hurting.
Ask each participant to make a card that would make someone smile. The cards should be very general so any card can be sent to any of the people on your list. Make sure that if children write any words, their messages are "thinking of you," or "hello," or something else general. Flowers, colorful balloons, or the sun are all easy objects to draw and make colorful. Some children may have time to make more than one card.
Have each participant sign their cards. Below the child's name, write "Made by the K-1 Love Surrounds Us religious education group."
As children finish, address and stamp the envelopes and explain to the participants that their cards will be sent to people in the congregation who need a smile. Process this activity by talking about why it is important that we reach out to those who may be hurting, even if we don't know them.
Including All Participants
Be prepared to help participants draw or write on their cards. Encourage participants to draw very simple pictures. Help participants who may need it think of a design for their card.