Session 2: The Gift Of Covenant Part of Wonderful Welcome In This Section Introduction to Session 2 From Wonderful Welcome A covenant is not a definition of a relationship; it is the framework for our relating. ... This calls for a level of trust, courage and sacrifice that needs to be nurtured, renewed and affirmed on a regular basis. ... Abiding in covenant is an art form. A mutual creation. — Rev. Lisa Ward, in a... Session-at-a-Glance From Wonderful Welcome Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: The Wonder Box 5 Activity 2: "Simon Says" without Rules 10 Activity 3: Story — Making Promises, Making Covenants 10 Activity 4: We Covenant Together 10 Activity 5: Making a Paper Chain 10 Activity 6: Singing "The More We Get Together" 5 Faith in Action:... Spiritual Preparation From Wonderful Welcome Think about your spiritual upbringing. Did you grow up in Unitarian Universalism? Do you have another religious background? Think about the first time you learned about a covenant. Was it in a religious context, or a setting outside your faith community? Think about how you understood the concept... Opening From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Print the opening words on newsprint. Post the newsprint where everyone can see it when they gather in a circle. Activity 1: Wonder Box From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Wonder Box A copy of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in children's language Construction paper in assorted colors Scissors, including left-handed scissors Preparation for Activity If you have not already made a Wonder Box, see Session 1 Materi... Activity 2: "Simon Says" Without Rules From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Make sure you have a large, open floor space for this game. Optional: If you have more time and/or want to try another game, find rules for many simple games which most of the children will already know, on Geof Nieboer's Kids Games website . Activity 3: Story - Making Promises, Making Covenants From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, Making Promises, Making Covenants Optional: "Making Promises, Making Covenants" coloring sheet (PDF), and crayons Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to tell it, rather than read it from the page.... Activity 4: We Covenant Together From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Post the newsprint where all participants can see it. If the group includes children who may have difficulty understanding or keeping the group covenant, talk with your DRE about your concerns. Activity 5: Making A Paper Chain From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper in various colors Scissors, including left-handed scissors Thin markers Tape Preparation for Activity Read Alternate Activity 1: Paper Chain Covenant and, if you have time, consider substituting this activity in which children wr... Activity 6: Singing "The More We Get Together" From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Make sure you know the song, "The More We Get Together." You can hear it on a National Institutes of Health website. Optional: Write the lyrics to "The More We Get Together" on newsprint and post. Closing of Session 2 From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Wonder Box poster Paper chain made in Activity 5 or Alternate Activity 1, and tape or glue stick Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity If you have not made a Wonder Box poster, cut and... Leader Reflection and Planning From Wonderful Welcome Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today's session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session? Faith In Action: Adults Covenant, Too! From Wonderful Welcome Preparation for Activity Make a time for the children to meet with their minister and/or members of the congregation's board. Ask the adults to bring copies of a congregational covenant or provide copies of the Unitarian Universalist Principles for them to use.... Alternate Activity 1: Paper Chain Covenant From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper in various colors Scissors, including left-handed scissors Markers for participants Tape Covenant from Activity 4, We Covenant Together Preparation for Activity Note: This activity is a longer version of Activity 5: Making a Pape... Alternate Activity 2: The Most Important Promise From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Group covenant from Activity 4, We Covenant Together Optional: Paper and markers or crayons for all participants Preparation for Activity Post the newsprint with the covenant generated in Activity 4, We Covenant Together.... Alternate Activity 3: Singing Safety Songs From Wonderful Welcome Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Choose one or more safety songs that you know or choose from the following sources. Try the Mr. Walter: Safety Songs, available from the CD Baby website; Mrs. Jones Sing Along songs such as The... Taking It Home: The Gift Of Covenant From Wonderful Welcome A covenant is not a definition of a relationship; it is the framework for our relating. ... This calls for a level of trust, courage and sacrifice that needs to be nurtured, renewed and affirmed on a regular basis. ... Abiding in covenant is an art form. A mutual creation. — Rev. Lisa Ward, in a... Making Promises, Making Covenants Janeen K Grohsmeyer From Wonderful Welcome Do you remember your first day of school? I remember mine. Your parents and grandparents probably remember their first days, too. Probably everyone remembers, no matter how long ago it was. Going to a new place and starting something new can be exciting... and sometimes a little scary.... Find Out More From Wonderful Welcome The quotation that begins this session comes from "From Creed to Covenant," a sermon given by Rev. Lisa Ward on November 17, 2002 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County (Churchville, Maryland). From Creed to Covenant: Roots of Unitarian Universalism There are a few different... PREVIOUS: Find Out More About Session 1 UP: Wonderful Welcome NEXT: Introduction to Session 2 Download all of Wonderful Welcome (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.