Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures: A Multigenerational Program

Alternate Activity 1: Kinship Litany

Activity time: 25 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Six sheets of paper and pencil/pen

Preparation for Activity

  • Be sure that there are at least two adults or youth to meet with this breakout group.
  • Recruit a scribe to record ideas.

Description of Activity

Invite participants to create a litany for the closing worship that honors the fact that we are related to all that lives on our planet and to the earth and the universe itself. Explain that in this litany, each group will make lists of all the ways they are connected to all the parts of creation and after each list, the whole group will respond by saying together, "All these are connected to me." Work through an example with them, saying, "On the first day of creation, the story says that God created light and darkness, morning and evening. What are all the 'light' things you can name? And all the 'dark' things? Our scribe will write them down as you say them."

After all the thoughts have been recorded, explain that in the closing worship, one of the groups will read the list aloud, and then the whole group will say together, "All these are connected to me." Continue with each of the six days, asking the scribe to use a separate sheet for each day. If there are too many ideas or responses for some days (such as the days with plants or animals), suggest that each person only name their two favorites for the list. If you have time after creating the list, practice leading the litany. Invite those who are comfortable reading aloud to read one or more list, and those who cannot read or are uncomfortable reading, to join in the response after each list.