Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Signs of Our Faith: A Program about Being UU Every Day for Grades 2-3

Alternate Activity 2: Personal Spiritual Practice

Activity time: 10 minutes

Description of Activity

Say in these words, or your own:

A spiritual practice is an activity you do regularly to deepen your spirituality, or connect yourself to something greater than just you. Prayer or meditation are common spiritual practices among Unitarian Universalists. When people perform a spiritual practice regularly, it becomes a ritual.

Many people say their spiritual practice helps them feel centered and connected to their values. It can help you remember what you love and remind you to act every day being faithful to what you love.

Help the children name spiritual practices. These might include yoga, journaling, reading from holy texts, and attending worship. Point out that different spiritual practices suit different people. You might say:

For someone, saying grace at mealtime might help them focus on how thankful they are to be nourished. For someone else, reading the newspaper every morning might remind them how much they wish for fairness and justice and peace all around the world. Gardening or taking a walk can be a spiritual practice if it helps us feel connected to nature and the Spirit of Life.

Ask if the children know anyone who engages in a spiritual practice, or if they themselves do. Encourage them to explore different spiritual practices and find one that fits them.