Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Heeding the Call: A Program on Justicemaking for Junior High School Youth

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Newsprint, markers and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post.

Description of Activity

Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants. If there are new people present, invite youth to go around the circle and say their names. Ask if anyone would like to share anything noted in their Justicemakers Guide since the last meeting. Light the chalice, or invite a participant to do so, and recruit a volunteer to read the chalice lighting words:

Let the light of this chalice shine on our willingness to work with and learn from, one another.

Ask the group to be silent for a moment as they reflect on the words. End the silence with "So be it," or other appropriate words. Tell the group that today's theme is cooperation. Ask for volunteers to share what they think cooperation has to do with justice.