Family Resources for Sunday November 17
The details about Sunday morning:
Babies – 4 year olds
- chalice lighting, children’s covenant, joys & concerns
- play inside in our very popular wooden kitchen.
Kindergarten- grade 5
Those of us who have come through the great doors, who have made of this place the soul of Sunday on our spiritual journey, share a commitment… to radical hospitality. This is the heart of our faith: love, service, justice, peace. — Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Unitarian Universalist minister
Background info:
The children hear a story based on a Hawaiian tale in which Pele, the goddess of fire, who visits two families in disguise to teach a lesson of welcoming. They sing and discuss “Come, Come, Whoever, You Are,” a popular Unitarian Universalist hymn based on words of the Sufi mystic, Rumi. Participants share personal experiences and brainstorm ways to make the group welcoming and accessible to everyone.
- chalice lighting, children’s covenant, joys & concerns
What you can do this week at home:
If you are unable to join us, feel free to use these links and resources to create a faith formation opportunity in your own home this week.
EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Talk about… times one or another family member may have felt shut out of family activities. Affirm that in a family, people do not always do everything together. Sometimes when someone is excluded, there is a good reason, although you might not know what it is. Make sure children know that if other family members participate in an activity they want to try, they can ask to accompany.
EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Try… volunteering as “family greeters” at your congregation. Your role will be to greet everyone, while paying particular attention to a new or visiting family. Make a family feel at home by showing them the nursery and RE rooms and explaining routines involving children and youth.
Family Discovery. Share stories about friendship. Ask each family member: Who is your best friend? How did you meet? How were you welcoming to them, or they to you?
Family Game. Play a version of the Welcome Challenge game we played today. Gather in a circle, leaving one empty seat. Take turns imagining a new person who might like to join your circle. Examples: a neighbor who has never been to your home before, the new spouse or partner of an adult family member, someone from another country who is just learning the English language and American customs. How would you welcome that person? What signs—words or actions—would you use? Take care that your welcome does not make assumptions about what a new person needs, but invites them to say how you can help.
Family Ritual. Does your family have a special treat you like to offer visitors? If Dad is known for his banana bread or your stepmother makes a great fruit salad, children can help that person make the special dish for visitors. You might even create your own special welcome food. The treat need not be food. What about inviting every guest to leave a hand print on a special wall in your home?
Grades 6-8
Visitation to International Kadampa Retreat Center in Williams, AZ.
“Some of us are leaving from Beacon at 10:15am on Sunday morning and some families are driving themselves and will meet us at the Center. If you would like to all go in together we can meet outside the classroom. In review: The address is the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon, 6701 E Mountain Ranch Road, Williams, AZ 86046. MapQuest says that from Flagstaff we will be taking Ext 171 off of I-40 in Williams.”
Please call Dru Monroe 928-856-1365 for details
I hope to see your family on Sunday! Let me know if I can be supportive to you in any other way! I am here for you.
All my best with blessings,
Amy