Closing
Part of Moral Tales
Activity time: 3 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Newsprint, markers, and tape
- Moral Compass poster
- Optional: One copy of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition
- Optional: Music CD or tape, and music player
- Optional: A guitar, piano or other instrument
Preparation for Activity
- Look at Hymn 414 in Singing the Living Tradition, "As We Leave This Friendly Place," and make sure you can lead the group in singing it. If it is unfamiliar, you might ask your music director to teach it to you before this session.
- If you prefer, choose an alternate song for your closing ritual. Find some suggestions in Session 1, Leader Resource 3, Alternate Closings. It is recommended that you use the same Closing song in each session.
- If you are uncomfortable leading a song, you can invite a musical volunteer to do it for you. Or, ask your music director to record the song, and use the recording to lead the group. You might even like to record the congregation's choir singing it.
- Write the words of the closing song on newsprint and place it where the children will be able to see it during the Closing.
- Place the Moral Compass where all of the children can see it during the Closing.
- Customize, print out, and photocopy the Taking It Home section for all participants.
Description of Activity
Repeating the same Closing each time you meet helps accustom the children to a practice as an affirmation of belonging in the faith community.
Gather the group in a circle. Thank the children for participating and sharing their stories and ideas in this session. Tell them something you liked about the way they worked together as a community.
Point out the Moral Compass. Say, in your own words:
Our compass shows us ways to make good decisions and how to be fair. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in justice and goodness in human relations. Generosity is one way to make things fair and to show that we care about other people. We're going to add "generosity" as a direction on our compass.
Write the word "generosity" on the compass.
Remind the children that the next time they meet, they will have a chance to add more gems to the Gems of Goodness jar. If appropriate, remind them that when the jar is full of gemstones, you will have a special celebration. You may wish to encourage them to focus on "generosity" as they look for ways they can act for goodness or justice.
Lead the children in singing Hymn 414 in Singing the Living Tradition, "As We Leave This Friendly Place." If the hymn is unfamiliar to some of the children, teach it line by line and then sing it once through together.
The song's lyrics are:
As we leave this friendly place,
Love give light to every face;
May the kindness which we learn
Light our hearts till we return.
Distribute the Taking It Home handout you have prepared. If new participants need to take home a Gems of Goodness notebook and parent handout, make sure they have these. Thank the children, tell them you look forward to seeing them next time, and dismiss the group.