Pinterest Pick Thursday

Martin Luther King Junior Day is this coming Monday.  Every year at the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, we honor this day with a special service known as 'Carter Sunday.'  It is a time of reconciliation, of forgiveness, of kindness, or reaffirming our commitment to justice and our predominately poor, African American neighborhood.

"It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not
be in favor of justice for all people. - Martin Luther King, Jr."

Today's pinterest pick is dedicated to him.

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Honoring MLK

Faith Formation Component
Content

Time for Activity
1-2 hours

Recommended Age
Kindergarten and Up

Materials
Construction Paper, Scissors, Markers, Tape / Sticky Tack, Computer, Printer, Library Card

Activity
It can be hard for our justice oriented children to imagine a world where people were separated and discriminated against because of the color of their skin.  Start by learning more about Martin Luther King and his role in the Civil Rights movement by checking out one of the following books from your local library:

• Who was Martin Luther King, Jr.? by Bonnie Bader
• Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
• I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Or, you can watch "Our Friend Martin."  In this hour long animated video for elementary aged children, several teens travel back in time to key events in the Civil Rights movement.  They learn about crucial issues of the time and meet substantial characters from history.  This video is a bit dated, but it is informative none-the-less.

If, when talking about Martin Luther King Jr., you decide to mention his assassination, I recommend having a candles available.  Like we light candles of Joys and Sorrows, you and your children can light a candle for Martin Luther King, Jr., his family, and the whole civil rights movement.

Next, create a 'Peace Wall.'  Start by tracing and cutting out hand prints from different colored pieces of construction paper with your child.  While doing that, talk with your child about Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.  Specifically, refer to this quote: "I have a dream that one day... little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."  What does this mean?  How can children be peace makers?  How can we be peace makers at home?  At school?  Write ideas from your discussion onto the hands.  Then, post them on a wall or door in your home.

Peace Hand

Finally, deputize your children honorary peace makers.  Ask them to raise their right hand and repeat these words after you:

I, ___________________, hereby swear to be a peace maker.  I will be kind.  I will be helpful.  I will be inclusive.  I will not be intentionally mean or hurtful.  If I find I am ever mean or hurtful, I will apologize.  And, I will always forgive those are mean or hurtful to me.  

Then, award them the 'Peace Maker' badge.

Peace Maker Badges have a picture of MLK and say 'I am a Peace Maker.'

Original Sources
Martin Luther King meme stolen from The Blue Door.
"Our Friend Martin" made available thanks to k6elearning on YouTube.
Peace Wall activity courtesy of Goose and Binky.
Peace Maker badges inspired by Realistic Teacher's Peacemaker badges, available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
All other sources cited above.


Peace to you,

- Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursday

One Thursday every month my daughter's preschool loads 24 preschoolers onto a school bus and takes them 15 minutes down the road to our local retirement community.  There, they color, sing, read and play with their 'grandfriends.'  Last spring, in my sermon 'It Takes a Village,' I expressed a wish - that every adult in this congregation would become honorary aunts, uncles and grandparents.

My daughter, Lily, with my mother, Rae Jane, her Oma (grandmother).

With the bitter cold weather we have been experiencing the past couple of days (and will continue to experience), I image some of our 'grandfriends' and honorary grandparents may feel shut in.  So, this week, I am encouraging all of you to build community by reaching out and making connections.

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Grand Fun with Grandfriends

Faith Formation Component
Community

Time for Activity
A Half Day

Recommended Age
All Ages

Materials
Cooking / Baking Supplies, Craft Supplies and Activity Supplies (see below for specifics)

Activity
I've had a terrible head cold for just over a week now.  And, I can tell you, it is rough being cooped up at home.  Help relieve someones social isolation with these easy steps:

• Choose an Elder
• Gather your family and discuss who you would like to visit - a close friend, a recent widow(er), a shut-in
• Call that elder up and invite yourself over - be polite about it of course, make sure they want company.
• Assure the elder that you and your family will take care of everything - food, clean up, activities, etc.
• Be sure to ask the elder if there is anything specific you can do for them - prepare a weeks worth of meals, clean their house, walk their dog, etc.
• Make a Gift
• Make a gift to thank your host for having your over (after all, you did just invite yourself - jerk ;-) ).  Make something useful, sentimental, or both.  Of, just let your child's imagination run wild.

• Prepare Food
• You'll need to eat.  So, with your children, prepare a meal you can take over.  Prepare your families favorite meal or choose one of the kid friendly recipes from Pint Sized Treasures or Childhood 101.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, even children as young as one can crush crackers.
• Prepare an Activity
• It can be hard for people to connect across generations.  Even families and family friends may find it difficult to interact with children or with elders.  You can help facilitate this connection by bringing along an activity.  My three suggestions are:
• Bring your families favorite game.
• Bring your families favorite movie.
• Prepare a game of 'Minute to Win it.'

When it comes to church, especially UU churches, community is paramount.  But, community doesn't build itself.  And, this weather doesn't help, as it keeps people inside, in their homes, where it is warm and familiar.  But, human are social beings - even us socially awkward ones (like me).  So, it is up to us to make the effort, to build community.

Original Sources
Gift ideas from Unsophisticook, Dad Vs. Wild, and The Thrifty Couple.
'Minute to Win it' Game can be found at The Chaos and the Clutter.

Wishing you well,

- Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursday

I know, I know, I'm a day behind once again.  I've been battling a terrible cold all week and I am just now getting to the point that I can do anything other than lie in bed, so I hope you will forgive me.

Now, I am wondering if you have heard the story of Leelah Alcorn - the ohio teen who committed suicide because she was transgender.  While this story has just started gaining national recognition, it has been saturating my news feed since the tragic incident occurred, as Leelah Alcorn lived - and lost her life - just 10 short miles from my home.

Leelah Alcorn: Taken from her Tumblr

In her suicide note, Leelah pleaded "My death needs to mean something."  And so it has, as her suicide has sparked a local and national discussion on what it means to be transgender in this world.  Now, I have said it before and I will say it again - I am just a simple, middle class white girl from the burbs.  Beyond my gender, religion and my daughter's disability, I have no claim to oppression, and I will not speak on behalf of those who are disenfranchised.  However, I do have people very close to me who identify as transgender, and so I will stand up against oppression, I will be an ally, and I will not shy away from this discussion.  As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "No one is free until we are all free."

So, for you Leelah, for those close to me who identify as transgender, and for all people who identify as transgender, this week's pinterest pick is for you...

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Continuing the Discussion

Faith Formation Component
Context

Time for Activity
1 - 2 Hours

Recommended Age
5 Years Old and Up

Materials
Gender Role Pictures (printed and cut out).  A blank piece of paper, A Copy of 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert.

Activity

Start the discussion with your child by examining gender roles.  Print off the grid below and cut out the pictures. 

On a piece of paper create two columns - label one 'boy' and the other 'girl.'  Ask your child to sort the pictures into each column.  Afterwards, ask:

• Was it difficult to sort the pictures?
• Which pictures did you feel could go in both columns?
• What does society say about girls who play with trucks?  How about boys who wear dresses?

Next, read 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert.  Afterwards, discuss some more:

• Why would a book like this be written?
• Who should read this book?
• What does it mean to be transgender?
• Why might it be hard to be transgender?
• How can we help?

Now, revisit the sorting activity - Does your child want to change anything?  Print off another sheet of pictures if needed.

Older children may be open to learning more about what it means to be an ally.  For that, I recommend this guide from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Original Sources
News article about Leelah Alcorn provided by ABC News.  A few of the discussion questions were provided by Alexis Birner from Pear Tree Education.  Additional activity ideas can be found by viewing her YouTube video below...

All other sources cited above.


If you or anyone you know of is thinking of suicide, the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1 (800) 273 - 8255.  They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Peace be with you,

- Ms. Meredith

Pinterest Pick Thursday (erm...Friday)

I'm a day late and a buck short it seems.  I am sorry.  I spent all of yesterday cleaning my office.  It has become a tradition of sorts, cleaning my office in December.  I've read that people with messy work spaces are usually very creative.  I hope that is true, or else I really have no excuse for how bad I let my office get over the past year.

Hey, did you know that cleaning is actually a spiritual practice?

Pinterest Pick of the Week

Holiday Cleaning

Faith Formation Component

Content

Time for Activity

A Day

Recommended Age

2 and up

Materials

Cleaning Supplies, Organizational Instruments, A Computer with Internet Access

Activity

There are many holidays that call for cleaning - Yule, Chinese New Year, Clean Monday, and Monday, just to name a few.  Learn about these holidays with your family by viewing the playlist below...

Now, prepare your house for whatever holiday you are celebrating next (Chalica, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years) by cleaning.  Even children as young as 2 can contribute.  Heck, my daughter (3 yr old with Cerebral Palsy) can even help me with the dishes, and often does (she loves to help).  A Mom's Take provides this free printable of age appropriate chores.

Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids.  Can be
downloaded by following the link above.

Original Sources
YouTube playlist features clips from ajambor99, WatchMojo.com, Athens Living and CNN.  You can learn more about the holidays featured in these films, and what cleaning has to do with each holiday,  by visiting the websites below.  All other sources cited above.

• Yule - Orknejar
• Chinese New Year - Wikepedia
• Clean Monday - Wikepedia
• Passover - Hebrew 4 Christians

Happy Holidays!

- Ms. Meredith

P.S. There will be no Pinterest Pick Thursday on Christmas.

Pinterest Pick thursday

Welcome back to Pinteret Pick Thursdays.

Let me ask you, have you ever had one of those, 'Aha' moments?  Has there ever been a topic, subject, or game that multiple people have tried to explain to you, but you have never really been able to grasp?  Then, someone else comes along and explains it in such a way that it all suddenly makes sense to you?

Stock photo: A boy looks surprised.  The thought
bubble above his head exclaims 'Oh, I get it now!'

I LOVE those moments.  In my student teaching days, I lived for those moments with my students.  But, let me tell you, I love having one of these moments as much as I love giving one of these moments.  And, today, I had one that I just must share with all of you...

Pinterest Pick of the Week
Parable of the Polygons

Faith Formation Component
Context

Time for Activity
0.5 Hours

Recommended Age
4th Grade and Up

Materials
A computer with internet access

Activity
This activity is pretty easy.  But, you'll need some mental bandwith to process what is going on.  It is a thought experiment on bias - what it is, how it affects our world, and what can be done to combat it.  So, I suggest you don't do this when you or your family is too tired or worn out.  Here is what you should do...

• Gather your family around a computer.
• Visit 'Parable of the Polygons.' Read and play through the post (make sure you allow your children to play as well).
• As you do, stop after every simulation and deconstruct together.  Ask yourselves:
• What is happening here?
• What does this simulation teach us about the world in which we live?
• Once you have finished with the post, wonder about these questions:
• The post makes it clear that history influences the present.  How has our nation's history shaped our present when it comes to race relations / immigration / disability / class / gay pride?
• What bias's do you possess?
• At the end of the post, the two shapes had to work side by side to get to the 'box of friendship.'  What can we do in the real world to get ourselves into the 'box of friendship'? (Make a list, make a plan, and execute).
• Is all bias bad? (ex. Bias against strangers).

If you are an adult doing this activity alone.  Or, if you are doing this activity with your youth, you may also wish to explore what role you play in combating bias as an ally.  Visit Anne Bishop's website, Becoming An Ally, to learn more.

Original Sources
All original sources cited above.

Now, if only someone could teach me how to play Euchre this easily.

Wishing you well,

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 7 (A Day Late)

Yesterday was the last day of Chalica.  The First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati celebrated with an intergenerational Chalica service.  We sang songs, shared stories, read poetry, decorated the mitten tree, and lit 8 candles in all - one for each principle, plus our Chalice.  It was a lovely celebration.

First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati: Chalica Altar

As for yesterday's principle, we were to honor our 7th principle, 'Care for the Interdependent Web.'

In honor of that principle I added a McDonald's Happy Meal toy to my altar.  Are you confused?  Let me explain.  You see, every December, my husband and I visit our local thrift stores and gather all the happy meal toys we can find.  Then, we bring them back home, where we transform them into Christmas Tree Ornaments.  We reuse (or, up-cycle) these cheap plastic toys so that they don't end up in landfills.  This is just one of the many ways my family cares for our Earth.  What about you?

Chalica Altar: Day 7

Princess Peach Happy Meal Toy

I'd love to hear how you celebrated Chalica this year.  Feel free to leave a comment with a 'stand out' story or random thought.  I'd love to hear what you have to say.

For now, I will leave you with the final Chalica Shorts playlist.  Enjoy!


Regards,

- Ms. Meredith

Chalica: Day 6

Happy Chalica!

Today is the second to last day of Chalica and we are to honor our 6th principle 'build a fair and peaceful world.'  What are you doing to fulfill that call?

On my Chalica Altar today, I have placed one of my daughter's old outfits.  Just recently, she outgrew all of her 3T clothing.  And, so, next week, all of her old clothes will go to a family in need.

Chalica Altar: Day 6

Now, for your Chalica Shorts...

Happy 6th day of Chalica!

- Ms. Meredith