Session 12: Stewardship Is a Sign Part of Signs of Our Faith In This Section Introduction From Signs of Our Faith In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. — Baba Dioum, conservationist Children understand themselves as "stewards"—that is, people with ability and responsibility to contribute to the care of people and... Session-at-a-Glance From Signs of Our Faith Activity Minutes Opening 3 Activity 1: Story — Know Yourself 15 Activity 2: "The Magic Penny Song" 5 Activity 3: Time, Talent, and Treasure 15 Activity 4: The Ritual of Offertory 5 Activity 5: Where Does the Money Go? 10 Activity 6: Third Emblem 5 Faith in Action: Canvass Closing 2 Alternate... Spiritual Preparation From Signs of Our Faith Think about a time you gave generously of your time, talent, or finances. How did you feel? What does your generosity dance feel like? Do you sometimes feel you have given too much? Burnout can happen to us all, especially when we give generously of our time.... Opening From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 3 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... Activity 1: Story - Know Yourself From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, "Know Yourself" A few coins Large box for donations 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: "The Magic Penny Song" From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, "The Magic Penny Song" Lyrics Newsprint, markers, and tape Recording of "The Magic Penny Song" and a music player Preparation for Activity Obtain a recording of "The Magic Penny Song." You can download a version from many music sites.... Activity 3: Time, Talent and Treasure From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Stewardship Actions - Time, Talent, or Treasure? Newsprint, markers, and tape Recording of "The Magic Penny Song" and a music player Preparation for Activity Write "Time," "Talent," and "Treasure" on three separate sheets of... Activity 4: The Ritual of Offertory From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Items used by the congregation for offertory collection, such as baskets or pledge envelopes Optional: Leader Resource 2, Letter to Parents Preparation for Activity If you are unfamiliar with the offertory ritual at the congregation, learn the words... Activity 5: Where Does the Money Go? From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Congregational Needs Five buckets, masking tape, and a marker Offertory basket Twelve one dollar bills of play money Preparation for Activity Cut apart the items on Leader Resource 3, Congregational Needs.... Activity 6: Third Emblem From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Stoles Craft materials Optional: Leader Resource 4, Third Emblem Preparation for Activity Review or find out from co-leaders the activities and stories this group has experienced in Sessions 9, 10, and 11 so you can prompt children's memories. Print... Closing From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 2 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 With your co-leaders, reflect on the session. What went well? What would you do differently next time? Were you able to find ways that every child could practice stewardship? Did children seem to understand why members' stewardship matters to the congregation? Did they give freely?... Faith In Action: Canvass From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Optional: Leader Resource 2, Letter to Parents Preparation for Activity Once the congregation starts planning the canvass, ask the appropriate leaders how the children can help. Be ready with suggestions: Perhaps the advertisement/announcement for the canvass could involve... Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Collecting the Offertory From Signs of Our Faith Materials for Activity Offertory collection baskets Activity 4, The Ritual of Offertory Leader Resource 2, Letter to Parents Preparation for Activity Arrange with worship leaders for children to collect the offertory during worship and (optional) to address the congregation about their donation... Alternate Activity 2: Leadership in Action - Sharing the Plate From Signs of Our Faith Preparation for Activity Ask worship leaders how a project is chosen to share your congregation's offertory. If possible, arrange for the children to nominate a project.... Alternate Activity 3: Conservation Is Stewardship From Signs of Our Faith Description of Activity Children help conserve the congregation's resources. Ask the group if their family has ways to save money. Do they use cloth to wipe up spills instead of using paper towels? Are they careful to not waste food? Do they walk to places when they can, instead of using a car? Alternate Activity 4: Signing The Magic Penny Song From Signs of Our Faith Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, "The Magic Penny Song" Lyrics Newsprint, markers, and tape Recording of "The Magic Penny Song" and a music player Preparation for Activity Obtain a recording of "The Magic Penny Song." You can download a version from many music sites.... Taking It Home From Signs of Our Faith In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. — Baba Dioum, conservationist IN TODAY'S SESSION... we said that, as Unitarian Universalists, we believe in being good stewards.... Know Yourself Ayat Jamilah From Signs of Our Faith Beautiful Signs, A Treasury of Islamic Wisdom for Children and Parents by Sarah Conover and Freda Crane (Boston: Skinner House, 2010). All rights reserved. Available through inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop.... Handout 1: The Magic Penny Song Lyrics From Signs of Our Faith Malvina Reynolds, copyright 1955 and 1958 by Northern Music Corporation, renewed 1986; permission pending.Love is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, You end up having more.... Leader Resource 1: Stewardship Actions - Time, Talent, or Treasure From Signs of Our Faith Picking up trash outside the congregation Buying muffins at the congregational bake sale fundraiser Bringing muffins for a snack to share in RE Attending Signs sessions Visiting a member of the congregation who is in the hospital Helping to tell a Story for All Ages in worship Singing in the choi... Leader Resource 2: Letter to Parents From Signs of Our Faith Dear Parents and Caregivers, The children in the Signs of Our Faith program are learning about stewardship. Today we discussed ways to share our "time, talent, and treasure" with the people and places we love.... Leader Resource 3: Congregational Needs From Signs of Our Faith Pay rent or mortgage on building Pay electric bill Fix broken window Pay minister's salary Buy crayons Give to community groups helping people who are homeless Pay pianist for worship services Buy sheet music for choir Pay water bill Give to money community soup kitchen to purchase paper plates B... Leader Resource 4: Third Emblem From Signs of Our Faith This is the official chalice of the Unitarian Universalist Association.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Find Out More From Signs of Our Faith The UUA publication Stewa… The Joy of Giving has resources for all ages. Find more stewardship resources from the UUA's Annual Program Fund on the UUA's website. Read more about the Muslim spiritual practice of Zakaat.biog…; on the Harvard Square Library website. On YouTube, hear her perform. 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