Session 4: The Power of Place

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Sing to the Power

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. — Charles Dickens The power of the earth is the power of place. Children discover how connection to one’s location allows reaching out to others in the particularity of their location. In the story of a connection between a Unitarian…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Sing to the Power

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Harvesting Hope 10 Activity 2: Adverbs Game 10 Activity 3: “Our Place” Brainstorm 10 Activity 4: Egy Az Isten Posters 20 Faith in Action: Reflecting on Our Earth Power 20 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows 10 Alternate Activity…
Spiritual Preparation
From Sing to the Power

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: How does your connection to where you live sustain you?
Opening
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Opening Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1), and basket Cloth for altar or centering space Symbol of earth, such as a rock, bowl of dirt, crystal, etc….
Activity 1: Story - Harvesting Hope
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Harvesting Hope” Optional: Information about your congregation’s partner church relationship Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Find out if your congregation has a partner church. If so, gather…
Activity 2: Adverbs Game
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Identify a space where participants can sit in a circle and one person at a time can move out of sight and hearing range. Arrange chairs, pillows or mats in a circle that leaves room inside the circle for movement….
Activity 3: "Our Place" Brainstorm
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and markers Preparation for Activity Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity We can most effectively help others when we have a clear sense of our own gifts and resources. This activity invites participants to brainstorm what it is…
Activity 4: Egy Az Isten Posters
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Transylvanian Art Large sheets of drawing, construction, or poster board paper Drawing and coloring implements: color pencils, color markers, crayons Scissors, including left-handed scissors, and glue sticks…
Closing
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, “Place” Circle, and tape Session 1, Leader Resource 3, Circle of Elements Mural Instructions Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5) and basket Bracelets from Session 1, plus…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Sing to the Power

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn’t? What connections did we make with the children? What connections did the children make with each other? How was this evident? How could we build the…
Faith In Action: Reflecting on Our Earth Power
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity This activity is designed to help the group process a Faith in Action activity begun in Session 1….
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Attractive bowl Smooth stones, at least one for each participant Preparation for Activity Fill the bowl half-way with water. Set the bowl on a surface that will not be damaged if a small amount of water splashes out. Set out stones near the bowl,…
Alternate Activity 2: Baking Biscuits
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Biscuit Recipe Ingredients: Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, shortening or butter, and milk Baking equipment: Mixing bowl(s), measuring cups and spoons, rolling pin(s), large round cookie cutter(s) or juice glass(es) Preparatio…
Alternate Activity 3: Learning about Our Congregation's Partner Church
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Photos of your partner congregation and its members, or items from that community Optional: Pens and a card or note paper for thank you note Preparation for Activity Invite one or more guest speakers from your congregation’s Partner Church Committee.
Taking It Home: The Power of Place
From Sing to the Power

Charity begins at home, and justice begins next door. — Charles Dickens IN TODAY’S SESSION… the children heard about Project Harvest Hope, a UU organization which promotes economic development in Unitarian villages in Transylvania (ethnically Hungarian Romania). This project, which was started…
Harvesting Hope
From Sing to the Power

We do not need to think the same thoughts as someone else, in order to love them. So wrote Francis David, a long-ago faith ancestor of today’s Unitarian Universalist movement. He wrote these words in Transylvania, where he lived and was persecuted for his unpopular beliefs….
Handout 1: Transylvanian Art
From Sing to the Power

From the December 1999 issue of uu&me!, used by permission of the Church of the Larger Fellowship.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing…
Leader Resource 1: Place Circle
From Sing to the Power

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing…
Leader Resource 2: Biscuit Recipe
From Sing to the Power

Quantities are for 12 biscuits. Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/3 cup shortening 1 cup milk Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Find Out More
From Sing to the Power

Explore the Project Harvest Hope website. The UU Partner Church Council has information about Unitarian churches in Transylvania and around the world, including … curriculum sessions and games. The Global Trekkers website offers Transylvania photos and travel articles. A music video posted on…