Cultivating a spirit of gratitude has proven to lower stress and lead people toward a more optimistic world view and greater life satisfaction. What better day to cultivate a spirit of gratitude than Thanksgiving? It is the perfect time to focus on our blessings. Materials: Construction paper Scissors Hole punch Markers/crayons/pencils Yarn A tree or … Continue reading November’s Bringing it Home

  I dragged myself to the early morning Theme Talk, even though it was the last day of a week at church camp and I was tired from staying up late singing with friends and dancing my fool head off. A panel of old-timers was talking about the early days of SUUSI—Southeastern UU Summer Institute, … Continue reading THE WISDOM TREE by Meg Barnhouse. 

  The Wonder Box technique of storytelling was created by the Reverend Christina Leone-Tracy, senior minister of the Fox Valley UU Fellowship in Appleton, WI. This interactive way of sharing the story for all ages, integrates the message of the Wonder Box into the theme of the service. “Wonder” can be a noun and a … Continue reading Why the Wonder Box?

Spiritual practices come naturally to children. Spiritual practices are time-honored ways that people use to get closer to the sacred; to family, friends, and community; and to the world around them. They can teach children and adults about being present, enthusiasm, imagination, play, and wonder—to name just a few. Here are some ideas for how … Continue reading October’s Bringing it Home: Encouraging Children’s Spirituality

  Chalice Lighting: May this flame we light remind us that every one of us can bring the light of love to the world. May this clear flame be a symbol that every heart can burn bright with joy, peace, and harmony. May the wisdom of ages speak to us through this flame and stay … Continue reading September~ Spiritual Practices

  The Goose Who Tried to Keep the Summer There was once an old Wild Goose who had led the flock of other wild geese every fall for years and years on their way south. He had a thick coat of white feathers, he wore orange-colored boots, and his bill was like a gold trumpet … Continue reading September~Bringing it Home

  Chalice Lighting Love is the doctrine of this family, and service is its law. This is our great covenant, to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.   Family Grace God, make me a channel of thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may sow … Continue reading August Spiritual Practices

  Creating a Family Covenant Family covenants have a lot of potential.  Used with younger children, the covenant serves as a deeper lesson about compromise and demonstrates our religious values lived in the home.  Used with teens, the covenant helps shift power dynamics through the co-creation of agreements.   Family covenants guide us to intentionality around … Continue reading August~ Bring it Home

  “Covenant is a promise I keep to myself, about the kind of person I want to be, the kind of life I mean to have, together with other people, and with all other living things.” ~Victoria Safford, from the article Bound in covenant from UU World magazine, summer 2013.   At the beginning of … Continue reading Covenant

  Chalice Lighting We light this chalice celebrating the flame of life in each of us, honoring the light we bring into the world, giving thanks for the family and the life we create together.   Family Grace May we hold hands quietly for a moment Feeling love flow around us and through us, Knowing … Continue reading July Chalice Lighting & Grace