Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
Parents as the Ultimate Religious Educators
Materials: medium sized post-a-notes, 2 pieces plain paper.
Opening Words/Lighting the candle/chalice (Suggestion: multiple voices)
Children participate in a Religious Education Program for a short time once a week;
parents see them at all times of day and night.
Children are greeted when they come to church;
parents get them there, and show the importance of attending by coming themselves.
Children are given information and experiences to help them to explore spiritual issues;
parents are frequently the ones present when the "religious" questions are asked, like "Do dogs go to heaven?" or "I don't believe that God is a man or a woman. Do you?"
Check In: How long have you been a Unitarian Universalist? What is your experience with children?
Topic/Activity
Read reflectively, pausing for a few seconds between the points:
This guided imagery focuses on our religious past, as a basis for building positive religious experiences with our children. It is not limited to experience within a church or organized religious setting. You may guide where your thoughts go, and you may return to this space at any time.
Find a comfortable position. Think of an experience from your childhood that you label as a ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’..
• Be aware of where this happened--in a church building, by a campfire, in a youth group, in nature, in a special place……
• Feel the surroundings--the sights, smells, light and dark, temperature, sounds.
• Remember who was there with you--friends, family, someone special? Feel their presence. If you were physically alone, did you feel the presence of anyone or anything?
• Think of a word or phrase to describe the experience.
Stay in the experience for a few moments, savoring its memory. You can return to this place at any time. But for now, slowly return to the group, gradually become aware of the sounds and temperature in the place where we are meeting now. Open your eyes to show us that you are back from the journey."
Invite people to share what was like for them.
Describe the spiritual journey that you are on, and how you do or would like to share that journey with your children.
What impact does having the religious identity as a Unitarian Universalist have on your spiritual journey? On how you parent? Or, put another way, what difference does your identity as a Unitarian Universalist parent have in the development of your child’s spiritual journey?
Covenant for the time together: Give each person 2 post-a-notes, writing implement.
Invite each person – including facilitators – to note on a post-a-note what they need to feel comfortable and be able to participate fully. Place these on a piece of paper labeled “We Need.”
On a second post-a-note, invite each person to note something that they will do to make the group work. Place these on a piece of paper labeled “We Will.”
Read the collection of statements and add as needed.
Some suggestions for inclusion:
Listen, encourage input from everyone with no editing, commenting, or “put downs”. However, listening respectfully does not assume agreement.
Passing or deferring speaking is permitted.
The information shared in a group is shared beyond the group only with permission of the originator.
Closing (Suggestion: multiple voices)
''When We Live..We Learn" ("Children Learn What They Live" by Dorothy Law Nolte, adapted)
When we live with criticism, WE LEARN TO CONDEMN
When we live with hostility, WE LEARN TO FIGHT.
When we live with shame, WE LEARN TO FEEL GUILTY
When we live with tolerance, WE LEARN TO BE PATIENT.
When we live with encouragement, WE LEARN CONFIDENCE.
When we live with praise, WE LEARN TO APPRECIATE
When we live with fairness, WE LEARN JUSTICE.
When we live with security, WE LEARN TO HAVE FAITH.
When we live with approval, WE LEARN TO LIKE OURSELVES.
When we live with acceptance and friendship, WE LEARN TO FIND LOVE IN THE WORLD
Likes and Wishes: Comments about the session, including content and group process. What went well, and what would you like to see changed?
Zidowecki, January 2006