Pinterest Pick Thursdays

Welcome to a new series in my blog - Pinterest Pick Thursdays.  Today, and every thursday, I'm going to highlight a pinterest activity that you can do at home to support your child's faith formation.  If you have been reading the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati's newsletter, or if you have been following the 'Full Week Faith' movement in UU congregations, then you know faith formation (or, if you like, spirituality / belief formation) is comprised of 4 parts: Content (i.e. curriculum), Community (relationships), Covenant (How we treat each other?), and Calling (group identity and social justice).

Over the course of several weeks, I hope to highlight activities that pertain to all four of these.  'Why, Thursdays,' you may ask.  Well, I wanted to make sure you had at least a day to gather the materials before the weekend whisked you away to soccer games and overdue chores.

So, without further ado, your Pinterest Pick of the Week!

Pinterest Pick: 
'Stained Glass' Chalices

Faith Formation Component: 
Content

Time for Activity: 
0.5 - 1 hour

Recommended Age:
4 Years Old and Up

Materials: 
A Computer with access to YouTube, Acetate Sheets, Copy Paper, Pencils, Rulers, Sharpies, Aluminum Foil, Construction Paper, Scissors and Double Sided Tape

Activities:
Start with some discussion...

• What is the symbol of our religion?
• What does it mean to you?
• Childhood Development Moment: Children, up until the age of 12, differentiate and define religions based on their symbols and stories.  Children older than the age of 12 are better able to conceptualize conventional notions of faith, and take on a more nuanced view.
• I wonder how it came to be?

Watch the following video from UUCA

Follow up with a short discussion...

• At the beginning of the video, the narrator says that our flaming chalice is "a sign of service to others."  Do you believe that is true?  I wonder what the rest of the world thinks of when they look at our chalice?
• Also at the beginning of the video, the narrator says we are "grateful heirs - and keepers - of our flaming chalice."  What does it mean to be 'keepers' of our flaming chalice?

Be a 'keeper' of the flaming chalice - claim it for yourself by creating a stained glass chalice.  Start by sketching out a design on copy paper using the pencil.  Don't be afraid to include some other symbols you feel define this faith (e.g. If you feel our chalice represents service, you may draw a picture of helping hands), or your individual beliefs (e.g. A UU christian might include a cross).  Pay close attention to edge lines, where the 'lead' of a traditional stained glass window would hold the panes together.  Transfer the drawing onto the acetate paper using the black sharpie.  Then, color the glass 'panes' using colored sharpies.  

To complete your stained glass masterpiece, lightly crumple a piece of aluminum foil.  Affix the aluminum foil to your piece of acetate paper using double sided tape.  Make sure the marker side of the acetate is against the foil, this will eliminate color streaks.  Finally, cut a 'frame' out of the construction paper, and adhere your 'stained glass' to it.  Now, you have a beautiful 'stained glass' Chalice that can go anywhere in your home.

Picture from http://margauritaspear.blogspot.com/

Original Sources: YouTube video courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta and Jeep Hook's YouTube channel.  Stained glass window activity inspired by Margaurita Spear's own stained glass lesson.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend of wonder!

- Ms. Meredith