Tapestry of Faith: Toolbox of Faith: A Program That Helps Children Discover the Uses of Faith

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Lighter and extinguisher, if needed
  • Newsprint, markers, and tape
  • Tool of the Day - at least one compass

Preparation for Activity

  • Print the opening words on newsprint. Post the newsprint where the children will be able to see it when they gather in a circle.

Description of Activity

Gather the children in a circle, in the Council Circle space. Light the chalice.

Indicate where the opening words are posted, for any children who are unfamiliar with them. Lead the group in reciting:

We are Unitarian Universalists

with minds that think,

hearts that love,

and hands that are ready to serve.

Hold up a compass and tell the children what it is called. Tell them it is the Tool of the Day. You might ask, "What do you think makes this a Unitarian Universalist tool?" Allow participants to share ideas. Affirm that there is no one answer. Say, in your own words:

The compass represents integrity. Integrity means doing what is right. Integrity is our inner moral compass. Unitarian Universalism is a faith that will help you find ways to decide what is right, and to stand up for what is right, even in confusing times.

This is an important part of our faith. When Unitarian Universalist congregations came up with guiding principles to affirm together, the second Principle we chose was justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

Just like the compass whose needle always points north, each of us has an inner voice which can help us determine what is right. Some might call the inner voice, "God." When we act with integrity we are connected to a universal sense of what is right.

Pass around the compass(es). Invite participants to share what they know about how a compass behaves and how to use a compass to determine direction. Guide them to discover that a compass will always point to the north.

Collect the compass(es). Extinguish the chalice.