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....

As a child, Joseph Priestley noticed something that would influence the rest of his life: If you keep a bug in a jar for too long, it will die. At the time Joseph Priestley didn’t understand why that was true—nobody did. No one really studied the air; it was something everyone took for granted.

This Korean folk tale, translated by Heinz Insu Fenkl, is similar to the European folk tale “The Frog Prince.” Used with the translator’s permission. Once there was a woman who had a son late in life, and much to her surprise, he was born as a snake. She covered him with the bamboo hat she...

In 1927 a Roman Catholic priest and scientist Georges Lemaitre proposed what later became known as the Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe, based on work by Edwin Hubble who theorized and then proved that the Universe was getting bigger and bigger. Many scientists have discovered other...

A retelling of a Hawaiian legend. The god Maui was the smallest but smartest of his brothers, who often made fun of him because he couldn’t fish very well. Sometimes Maui would go out on a boat with his brothers, distract them when they had a fish on the line, and steal it from them, claiming it...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "The Four Creations" Metal bowl with sand in the bottom Slips of paper Pencils or pens Long matches or a long lighter Optional: Flash paper Preparation for Activity Plan where you will conduct this ritual....

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: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Phebe Hanaford Gets the Vote" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "The Power of Water" Optional: A computer with Internet access, and a large monitor or digital projector Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Harvesting Hope" Optional: Information about your congregation's partner church relationship Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Find out if your congregation has a partner church. If so, gather...