From Christian scripture, John 6:1-19, New Revised Standard Version (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1990). A large crowd kept following [Jesus], because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples....

A retelling of a story from Cherokee tradition. When the earth was first made, it was very dark, and the animals were afraid. One day Bear said, “I have seen light on the other side of the world, but the people will not share. Perhaps we could steal some for ourselves.” The others thought this...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Water Justice Tour" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions. Choose those that will best help the children share their interpretations of the story and relate it to their...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 2, "Now Let Us Sing," Hymn 368 in Singing the Living Tradition Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 2 and learn the song so you will be able to teach it from memory....

Inspired by the ancient epic poem, "The Conference of the Birds," by the Persian Sufi Muslim writer Fariduddin Attar. Once upon a time, all the birds in the land decided they needed a leader for their community. A leader, they thought, would make their community stronger....

Holding up an apple (or other fruit) as you begin telling this story provides a focus. If no one responds to your questions, or if the group is too big, you can give your own answers. If appropriate, slice the fruit and hand out pieces to students. Have you ever eaten an apple?...

Inspired by a story in Tales for the Seventh Day: A Collection of Sabbath Stories by Nina Jaffe (New York: Scholastic Press, 2000). Once a there was a great chef who was famous throughout the land. She was so good she taught other people how to cook and their food was almost as tasty as hers....

At the Central Park Zoo in New York City, there were two penguins named Roy and Silo, who adored each other. It is typical for penguins to find a partner, a mate – one other penguin that is special to them. Usually, it is one female and one male penguin that like each other and become a penguin...

This story is designed to be used with Leader Resource 2, Beehive Poster in Activity 3. What Do Bees Do at Home? How do you think bees get into their hives? (Point to the opening in the hive on the poster.) That's right; the hive has an opening so the bees can go in and out. Last week we talked...

In the warm salty waters of the great blue sea, little orange and white fish called clown fish played their favorite game: chasing each other round and round, swimming as fast as they could go. Yet always they stayed close to their sea anemone home. Their sea anemone had thousands of soft white...

“The Magic Vase” was adapted from "The Magic Vase" as retold by Margaret Silf in One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World, compiled by Margaret Silf (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2003), 41-42. Used by permission, all rights reserved. There was once a poor family who lived in a drab...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Situations Fabric in bright, complementary colors and patterns Fabric markers Scissors (including left-handed scissors), needles and thread, and fabric glue Masking tape or straight pins Optional: A copy of your congregational covenant...

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Polar fleece fabric cut into strips: 15 strips approximately 4x72 inches 18 strips approximately 4x60 inches Preparation for Activity Purchase polar fleece or (less expensive) old blankets or flannel sheets from a thrift store. It is best to use at...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Two-foot lengths of yarn or rope, at least two per participant Preparation for Activity Plan an indoor or outdoor course for the group to walk which is safe and accessible for all participants, yet challenging for a cluster of people tied together.

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Make sure you have a large, open space where the group has room to form a machine together. Description of Activity A basic element of helping one another is the experience of responding to others and joining them in a cooperative effort....

Materials for Activity Permission forms for all participants, as needed Preparation for Activity Arrange with your religious educator and/or congregational leadership to take the group on a field trip to a ropes course or climbing wall. Determine the cost of the activity and transportation....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lengths of rope, about two- to three feet each-one for each pair of participants Preparation for Activity Make sure you have an open space long enough for a race, wide enough for the whole group to stand abreast, preferably with a soft surface-i.e....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Music and player, or a chime, a gong, or bells Chairs for all participants; or, large sheets of newsprint or poster board and (optional) scissors Preparation for Activity Identify a large, open space where you can arrange chairs in a circle or oval...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A long rope and (optional) a utility knife Preparation for Activity Identify an open floor space large enough to accommodate all members of the group seated in a circle on the floor. If you need to, arrange for an alternate space for this activity.