Session 10: Signs of Welcome Part of Signs of Our Faith, Grades 2-3: Being UU Every Day In This Section Introduction From Signs of Our Faith Those of us who have come through the great doors, who have made of this place the soul of Sunday on our spiritual journey, share a commitment... to radical hospitality. This is the heart of our faith: love, service, justice, peace. — Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Unitarian Universalist minister... Session-at-a-Glance From Signs of Our Faith Activity Minutes Opening 2 Activity 1: Story — A Calabash of Poi 5 Activity 2: Shut Out 10 Activity 3: Song — "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" 15 Activity 4: The Welcome Challenge 15 Activity 5: Creating a Ritual of Welcome 10 Faith in Action: Welcome Flags Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: Learning... Spiritual Preparation From Signs of Our Faith Reflect on the times you felt welcomed, particularly when you were a child. When did you feel truly wanted? When did it feel false, or overdone? If you have a short, appropriate story to share about being shut out or welcomed, prepare to share it with the group. Opening From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Centering table A chime or bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Cloth for centering table Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Preparation for Activity If the group designe... A Calabash of Poi From Signs of Our Faith Based on "A Calabash of Poi," originally published in In the Path of the Trade Winds by Coral Wells Thorpe (New York/London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924). It was a sizable house, as Hawaiian houses go, perhaps fifty feet long, its side thatched with ti-leaves—a sign of rank. Its only window, about a... Activity 1: Story - A Calabash of Poi From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, "A Calabash of Poi" Optional: Fidget basket (see Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Fidget Objects) Preparation for Activity Read the story so you will be comfortable telling or reading it to the children.... Activity 2: Shut Out From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Think of two short, personal anecdotes you can share, if needed, to prompt or affirm the children-one about being left out or unwelcomed, and one about an action you did to welcome someone else. Be ready to say how you felt in each situation. Activity 3: Song - "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Optional: Computer with Internet access or a music player Preparation for Activity Read the Description of Activity.... Activity 4: The Welcome Challenge From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chairs for all participants, plus one extra chair Optional: A welcome mat Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle-one for each participant, plus one extra.... Activity 5: Creating a Ritual of Welcome From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Description of Activity Participants design a ritual for the Signs of Our Faith community.... Closing From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Stoles, including extras for visitors Optional: Items needed for new Closing ritual (Session 9, Activity 4) Preparation for Activity... Leader Reflection and Planning From Signs of Our Faith What went well in this session? What have you learned that you can apply in the future? How did the children interact? Did everyone in the group demonstrate an understanding of welcoming behavior? How did the group make visitors or new participants feel welcomed?... Faith In Action: Welcome Flags From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Cloth in a variety of light colors Permanent or fabric markers in various colors Twine or heavy string, and glue, Velcro tabs, or another means of attaching flags to twine Preparation for Activity Invite members of the membership committee, wors... Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Making Name Tags for Members From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags (blank) used by congregation Markers Stickers, glue sticks, glitter, and other decorations for name tags Preparation for Activity Arrange for the group to have a table during coffee hour. Assemble name tags and decorating items on a table... Alternate Activity 2: Leadership in Action - Leading a Round in Congregational Worship From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Optional: Computer with Internet access or a music player Preparation for Activity Refer to Activity 3, Song - "Come, Come, Whoever You Are" for help preparing to teach ... Taking It Home: Signs of Welcome From Signs of Our Faith Those of us who have come through the great doors, who have made of this place the soul of Sunday on our spiritual journey, share a commitment... to radical hospitality. This is the heart of our faith: love, service, justice, peace. — Rev. Kim K.... Find Out More From Signs of Our Faith Welcoming in UU Congregations In a 2006 sermon, "Setting a Place for Elijah" Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern, encourages us to value and practice welcoming.... 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