Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Windows and Mirrors: A Program about Diversity for Grades 4-5

Spiritual Preparation

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Make yourself comfortable; light a candle to mark the time as different from your other activities. Close your eyes and breathe deeply and perhaps repeat a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. After opening your eyes, consider:

  • What is your perception of your class identity in childhood? What positive and negative associations does your memory of your class identity bring?
  • How similar or different is your class identity today? How have your perceptions of others changed along with your class identity?

Review what you know about socio-economic class identities within your congregation, specifically among the families whose children are in the Windows and Mirrors group. The group may include children who feel, or whose parents feel, invisible like the Soji underclass in this session's story. Consider how you can create a safe climate for all the children to expand their awareness of socio-economic class. Resolve to develop children's understanding that people's worth is absolute, no matter their wealth.

  • What are your expectations for this session? What do you hope to create by the end of it? What difference do you hope it makes?