Session 9: Love Surrounds Us in Our Search Part of Love Surrounds Us, Grades K-1 In This Section Introduction From Love Surrounds Us Be ours a religion which, like sunshine, goes everywhere.... Session-at-a-Glance From Love Surrounds Us Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Many Paths to God 10 Activity 2: Personal Symbols 20 Activity 3: Chalice Sand Painting 20 Faith in Action: Photos of Our Sacred Space Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Calling the Directions 5 Alternate Activity 2: Basket Game... Spiritual Preparation From Love Surrounds Us Members of our congregations may be in a continual search for what is right and true for themselves. You may have been on a spiritual journey for many years or are new to developing your own religious values. Think about how you might respond if a child asks you about your own beliefs.... Welcoming and Entering From Love Surrounds Us Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Drawing paper and crayons Preparation for Activity If you have not previously made ribbons sticks or wrist ribbons for each child do it now as per instructions in Session 1, Opening.... Opening for Session 9 From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Session 1, Leader Resource 1, Rote Teaching - Love Surrounds Us Song Green cloth for centering table Preparation for... Activity 1: Story, Many Paths to God From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "Many Paths to God" Optional: Four different hand puppets Optional: "Many Paths to God" coloring sheet, and crayons Preparation for Activity Read the story so you are comfortable presenting it as a play.... Activity 2: Personal Symbols From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Magazines and/or newspapers that can be cut up Large sheets of construction paper in various colors Glue sticks and scissors, including left-handed scissors Preparation for Activity Gather participants at work tables. Description of Activity... Activity 3: Chalice Sand Painting From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard Craft sand (at least three different colors), paper cups, and plastic spoons Pencils Glue and small paintbrushes Preparation for Activity Cut cardboard into circles approximately 8 inches in diameter, one circle for each child plus a few... Closing From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Invite everyone to gather in a circle and hold hands.... Leader Reflection and Planning From Love Surrounds Us Think about the children in the session today. Did they understand what symbols are? Were participants able to choose their personal symbols? Did they understand that everyone has their own thoughts about religion and all of them can be right? Does anyone need assistance in crafts? Are there... Faith In Action: Photos of Our Sacred Space From Love Surrounds Us Materials for Activity A digital still camera and photo printing equipment, or a Polaroid instant camera Construction paper, multiple colors Scissors Glue sticks or rubber cement Push pins or stapler Preparation for Activity Arrange to use a prominent bulletin board in the congregation.... Alternate Activity 1: Calling the Directions From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the Description of Activity so you are comfortable using it to lead this activity. Identify an indoor or outdoor space for this activity. Find out which direction is east.... Alternate Activity 2: Basket Game From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Basket or flat bowl about ten inches in diameter, one for every five participants Heavy, light-colored cardboard Markers, various colors, to share Preparation for Activity Cut cardboard into two-inch squares, one for each participant plus a few extra. Alternate Activity 3: Poster, Fourth Principle From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Poster - Fourth Principle Crayons and/or color markers Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all participants. Set crayons/markers at work tables. Description of Activity Distribute the handout. Invite children to think about an... Taking It Home: Love Surrounds Us in Our Search From Love Surrounds Us Be ours a religion which, like sunshine, goes everywhere. — Theodore Parker, 19th-century Unitarian minister and abolitionist IN TODAY'S SESSION... children learned about the Unitarian Universalist Principle about being free to search for what is true and right.... Many Paths to God Mary Ann Moore From Love Surrounds Us Adapted from "Many Paths to God" in Hide and Seek with God (Skinner House Books, 1994). Used with permission. Narrator: Once upon a time, four travelers from different lands met near a mountain. The travelers had been told that if they climbed the mountain, they would find God at the top.... Handout 1: Poster, Fourth Principle From Love Surrounds Us Unitarian Universalist Fourth Principle Each person is free to search for what is true and right in life. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Find Out More From Love Surrounds Us Books for adults that represent a wide variety of religious beliefs in prose and poetry include The Enlightened Heart (New York: Harper & Row, 1989) and The Enlightened Mind (HarperCollins Publishers, 1991), both edited by Stephen Mitchell. Books with meditations and prayers are A Grateful Heart,... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Love Surrounds Us NEXT: Introduction Download all of Love Surrounds Us (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.