Pinterest Pick Thursdays

It's Pinterest Pick Thursday again!  Hooray!  Just as a reminder, or for anyone that is new to this blog, today is the day I feature activities you can do at home to promote your child's faith formation (or, if you like, spiritual / belief formation).  The four components of faith formation are:

• Content (Curriculum)
• Community (Relationships / Group Identity)
• Covenant (How do we promise to be with each other)
• Context / Calling (Who are we in our community / Social Justice) 

Pinterest Pick of the Week:
Family Covenant

Faith Formation Component:
Covenant

Time for Activity:
2 hours

Recommended Age:
All Ages

Materials:
Crafting Material of your choosing, Your home altar, piece of paper, writing utensil

Activities:
How has the first month of school been for you and your child(ren)?  Have all of you settled into a nice routine, or are you still trying to stand on quick sand?  If you recall, about a month ago, I suggested your family create a family altar in preparation for the coming school year.  Did you do it?  Has it been useful in centering you and your family?

Whatever the case may be - routine or quick sand, home altar or none - now, at the dawning of fall, it is a good time to create, or revisit, a family covenant.  For those of you who may be new to Unitarian Universalism, covenant is a group of promises we make to each other and the world on how we will be in relation.  As our faith does not profess any sort of doctrine, the basis of our religion is the covenant - it is what binds us together.  The video below offers a great explanation of what covenant means to Unitarian universalists, appropriate for ages 10 and up.

To begin your family covenant, call all members of your family together.  Share with them what you just learned about covenant.  Then, ask the following questions, and record your answers on a piece of paper:

• How should we behave when we are around each other?

• How should we behave when we are around other people?

• How should we NOT behave?

• How should we remind each other when we break our covenant?  What words should we use?

Be sure to honor all voices, young and old, when creating your family covenant.  Once all ideas have been recorded, your family may want to revise and edit the list to a simple set of commands.  Now, here comes the fun part...

Transcribe your covenant so it can become a work of art in your home.  Some suggestions are provided below.

A cotton ball cloud with rays of rainbow colored construction paper.

Create a rainbow covenant like the one featured above.  Write each commandment on each ray of the rainbow and change out the words "God, I promise to..." that are on the sun to "Together, we promise to...".  Take it a step further and add our 7 principles to the back of the rainbow (one principle per ray).  Here is a quick cheat sheet for you to use.

Red: Each person is important.

Orange: Be kind in all you do.

Yellow: We're free to learn together.

Green: We search for what is true.

Blue: All people need a voice.

Indigo: Build a fair and peaceful world.

Violet: We care for our Earth.

A multi-frame picture frame
re-purposed as a meal planner.

Or, frame your covenant.  You could frame the entire covenant in one frame, frame each commandment in a separate frame, or use a compilation frame like the one featured to the left.  Use your child's artwork, wrapping paper, or scrap book paper for the backing of each frame.  Print out, cut and paste each commandment onto each frame, or use a dry erase marker on the glass of each frame.

Wood planks, painted, and
stacked on top of each other.

Looking for something more natural?  Just grab some paint, some old wood and stencils.  Have the entire family transcribe your covenant onto an old pallet, or wood planks (see right).

Finally, display your covenant.  Place it by your home altar, if you have one, or display it in a prominent place within your household.

Original Sources: Pictures and iinspiration for today's activity come from My Joy-Filled Life, Next to Heaven, HGTV, and UU @ Home.


Wishing you well!


- Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursdays

I assume you all know the drill by now...

Pinterest Pick of the Week:

Pinwheels for Peace

Faith Formation Component:

Context / Calling

Time for Activity:

0.5 hours - 1 hour

Recommended Age:

Kindergarten and Up

Material:

Pinwheel for Peace Template, Straight Pin, Pencil with Eraser, Decorative Material

Activities:

September 21 is the international day of peace, or 'Peace One Day' - a day of global cease-fire and non-violence.  Learn more by watching the TED talk below with 'Peace One Day' creator Jeremy Gilly.

Or, visit the websites, 'Peace One Day' and 'International Day of Peace.'

Now that you are an expert, gather your family together, share what you have learned and celebrate by creating pinwheels for peace.  Originally an art installation dreamed up by Ann Ayers and Ellen McMillan, two art teachers from Florida, Pinwheels for Peace has now spread across the globe.  The two talk about the project on their website, Pinwheels for Peace.

A pinwheel is a childhood symbol – it reminds us of a time when things were simple, joyful, peaceful. A pinwheel is easily made using just about any type of material, from copy paper, to thin plastic, to lightweight metal. The stick of the pinwheel can be as simple as a pencil or as intricate as a carved stick or metal rod. Pinwheels can be made as small as one inch in diameter or as large as desired – limited only by the creator’s materials and motivation. Pinwheels can be minimal or very complex – imagination, creativity (and a mild breeze) are the only variables needed.

Everyone will create pinwheels, pinwheels of all shapes and sizes – as part of the creation process, write your thoughts about "war and peace / tolerance/ living in harmony with others" on one side. The writing can be poetry, prose, haiku, or essay-style – whatever writing form is appropriate as you express yourself. On the other side, draw, paint, collage, etc. to visually express your feelings. Assemble these pinwheels and on International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2009, "plant" your pinwheels outside (at the schools, museum, public places, etc.) as a public statement and art exhibit/installation. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country, the world!

You can find pinwheel instructions and templates by visiting the Pinwheels for Peace Website.

A few follow up questions:

1. Why is peace important?
2. Why is peace so hard?
3. What can we do to spread peace?

Original Sources:  All original sources are sited above.

Peace to you,

 - Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursdays!

Pinterest Pick Thursdays!  And... It's going to be slightly chilly this weekend!  Aren't you excited?  I know I am, fall is my absolute favorite season.  School supplies, sweaters, apple cider, Halloween costumes, haunted houses, pumpkins, corn mazes - these are a few of MY favorite things.  So, while it isn't quite fall yet (the equinox falls on Tuesday, September 23 this year), this week's Pinterest picks are all dedicated to that wonderful season, and the appreciation it inspires in me for our mother Earth.

Pinterest Pick of the Week:
Nature Exploration

Faith Formation Component:
Content

Time for Activity:
An morning or afternoon block

Recommended Age:
All

Materials:
Dependent on the activity.

Activities:
Our seventh principle reminds us that we are all part of the 'interdependent web of all existence,' and that it is our responsibility to care for that web.  Fall is a great time of year to be reminded of this, because fall is traditionally the time of harvest.  Our Earth provides us with so much, and sometimes we forget we don't need ALL of it.  So, take a step back this weekend and appreciate all that mother nature has to give.  So, here are my quick suggestions on how to reconnect with nature this weekend.  Use the questions below each suggestion to 'bring the lesson home.'

• Enjoy nature.  Spend time outside, in the brisk fall air, doing something you love.  Go for a walk, play disc golf, partake in a world wide Easter egg hunt with geocache, garden, visit the park, or simply sit outside and enjoy your favorite drink.
• What is your favorite nature activity?
• Why is it important to get outside and experience nature?
• Older children and adults may find interesting discussion material in this article from The Guardian about the affects of nature on mental health.

This picture is of Gunnerside in Yorkshire England.  It was taken
from The Guardian article referenced above.

• Explore one of our six sources, 'science and reason,' and get hands on with these 15 Fun Science Activities for Fall.  
• What sort of wisdom can we gain from science?  
• What does science have to do with our spirituality?
• Older children and adults may find this article on NPR about Spirituality and Science, an interesting follow up.

This stock image of a woman communing with nature was
taken from the NPR article referenced above.

• Connect with our local community.  Check out one of the local nature programs that are offered around Cincinnati this weekend.  There is everything from learning about monarch butterflies, to canoeing, to building fairy houses.  You can find all these activity listings by visiting Cincinnati Family's website.
• What was your favorite thing about today's activity/
• I wonder how we can use what we learned / did today at home?
• If you are up for a weekend getaway or day trip, check out the magazine's article about Hocking Hills.

This picture shows several people on segways in Hocking Hills, Ohio.
The picture was lifted from the Hocking Hills article referenced above.

• Recognize the inherent contentedness of it all.  Gather around your family altar, a fire pit, the dinner table, or sit with that favorite drink in your hand, and recite "Autumn Prayer" from Christine C. Robinson:

God of the Autumn, help us to live

with the grace of falling leaves

the enthusiasm of the flaming Aspens

with the serenity of the old trees, whose roots reach deep into the earth.

God of the Autumn, help us to know

that living and dying are one

that life is precious, and beautiful, and limited.

that nothing good is ever lost.

God of the Autumn, help us to see

in the ways of nature a way for ourselves.

• What is this prayer saying?
• How do we honor its message?

Original Sources:  The Autumn prayer was courtesy of UUA's worship web.  All other original sources are linked above.

Wishing you all well,

- Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursday

Wohoo!  Time again for another Pinterest Pick Thursday!  You know what else is exciting?

THIS SUNDAY IS THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE NEW CHURCH YEAR!

I know, I can hardly contain my excitement as well!  So, in honor of this joyous event, this week's Pinterest Pick is all about us.

This Lord of the Rings meme says, "One does not simply explain
Unitarian Universalism."  So true!

Pinterest Pick of the Week:

UU Dance Party

Faith Formation Component:

Community

Time for Activity:

Dependent on You

Recommended Age:

All Ages

Materials: 

A computer with sound and internet capabilities, a good amount of silliness.

Activities: 

Get in the UU spirit by listening and dancing to some UU / UU inspired songs.  Here, are two playlists to get you started.

The first playlist is an eclectic collection of UU hymns, parodies of popular songs, and UU inspired originals.  Compiled by 'Davies Church,' this is a great YouTube playlist for your viewing or hearing pleasure.

The second playlist I offer is the one we (the members of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati) created together this summer, using Spotify.  Another eclectic mix, this playlist spans all popular genres - everything from Weird Al, to Pete Seeger, to Lady Gaga.  This playlist was compiled by members like you - in response to the day's sermon topic.

Now, that you are full of UU spirit, I hope you'll be so kind as to share that spirit with us this Sunday, September 7 at 10am.  Remember, a church is nothing more than a building without its congregation!

Original Sources: You can find the original YouTube playlist here.  If you have a Spotify account, you can follow the Spotify playlist here.

Welcome Home!

 - Ms. Meredith