Compiled from a variety of West African and South African folk tales. Once upon a time two cousins lived side by side in a village. They worked together in the fields each day and returned home each night to share a meal and some fun in the evening. The young woman cousin's name was Nosa....

Genesis 1: 1-31; 2:1-4 (New Revised Standard Version) In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was...

Activity time: 23 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Scenarios for Flexible Solutions Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Identify the scenario(s) below that you think will be of greatest interest to your group. Be prepared to adjust the number of topics...

Changing how we do church is scary, but not changing means decline and a lost opportunity.

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?...

In a time not so long ago and in a place not so far away, there lived a boy named Arthur Lismer. Arthur always had a pencil in his pocket, because Arthur loved to draw. He drew clouds. He drew birds. He drew flowers. He drew many beautiful things. And he drew pictures of stones....

In the land of Australia, where koalas climb high in eucalyptus trees and kangaroos bound across grassy plains on great big feet, a baby bird pecked his way out of his shell. His mother called him Kejaro, and she brought him good fruit to eat. Every day, for dessert, she brought him bugs. His...

Noah's Wife: The Story of Naamah (C) Text 1996 Sandy Eisenberg Sasso. Permission granted by Jewish Lights Publishing, Woodstock, VT, www.jewishlights.com.

Kylie groaned on the sofa. Her best friend Georgia was sick. It was Saturday, and the girls had planned to ride their bikes to Sundale Preserve that morning. But Georgia had a sore throat. Kylie had been looking forward to the trip all week. Sundale was her favorite place to go on weekends....

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements Mural Instructions (Session 1, Leader Resource 3) Paper, poster board, or fabric Paper or fabric and appropriate drawing tools (crayons, markers, permanent markers, or fabric paint), and tape or glue sticks Optional: Magazines to...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper, 11x17-inch Plain pencils and color pencils Description of Activity Participants understand the connections that surround and ground them, by creating a visual depiction. Distribute paper and set out pencils for children to share....

Pete Seeger decides to build a ship, like the great sailing ships that had traveled the river 100 years ago, back when it was clean and clear.