This week we honored the Our Whole Lives graduates during the service. Then we dispersed to our respective classes to learn about John the Baptist, dreams, and picnics. The K-2nd and 3rd-6th graders discussed John the Baptist and the idea of repentance. The preschoolers talked about bedtime, dreams, and imagination. And, the infants and toddlers read a story about a picnic and then had an indoor picnic.
In the 3rd-6th grade class, Larry told them the story of John the Baptizer, including the gory part. They also learned the word “repentance,” meaning “I’m sorry I did that and I won’t do it again.” Most of their examples from their own lives involved doing something and getting hurt, but they aren’t so sure that the experience will prevent their doing similarly risky stuff in the future. (An attitude Larry secretly applauds.) Larry’s own examples were of the “grown up” variety: treating someone shabbily and resolving not to do that again (sometimes hard to live up to in all respects — how often do we avoid a person we don’t want to see? It happens.) and telling a lie (somehow easier to avoid these days).
The 3rd-6th graders also heard the message that while John preached repentance to the Jews, Jesus took his message to everyone. The class will hit that again with the Good Samaritan. And they learned (what some knew) that baptism is a common rite even today.
In the K-2nd grade classroom, joys and concerns abounded and took up a good part of time. Molly enjoyed hearing all the stories from the kids’ weeks. Then they turned their focus to John the Baptist. As part of their discussion, the class talked about what people might ask forgiveness for (sin). They reminded themselves of the 10 commandments (still above the bulletin board). Lea remembered she was Moses and brought those down the mountain. The lesson concluded with making doves and then it was time for snacks.
In the pre-K class, the preschoolers discussed their dreams and how to use their imagination. The lesson began with Sandy reading Goodnight Moon and the class talking about their special bedtime rituals… sleeping with a stuffed animal, reading a special book, etc. Then they talked about dreams and how you can dream at night, but also in the daytime. They put their imaginations to work by making paint blobs come to life. They created stories about dragons, boulders, flowers, socks, and more. Everyone was very inventive!
In the nursery, the infants and toddlers read a Blue’s Clues book about picnics. Then they had an indoor picnic of pretzels and graham crackers. After their picnic, they played with toys and colored.
If you would like to extend these lessons at home, here are some suggestions: for K-2nd and 3rd-6th graders talk about the ideas of repentance and redemption. Then share with them what the Unitarian Universalist dedication ceremony is all about – how does it compare with baptism? For preschoolers, play an imaginary game. Where will their imaginations take you? For infants and toddlers, pack a picnic lunch, snack, or dinner and go to the playground. They will really enjoy eating outside. Or, have a picnic inside. A dinner could be quite fun on a blanket in the house!