 To do this activity, you will need a lamp, an electric outlet, and 2 or 3 lightbulbs of different strength: 25, 60 & 100 watt.
Kids: for safety, make sure an adult is with you.
 Gather together around a table or in a circle on the floor. Light a candle, or a chalice if your family has one. Say together these words of affirmation, said by many UU churches at the beginning of worship:
"Love is the doctrine
of this church,
The quest for truth
is its sacrament,
And service is its prayer."
How can service be a prayer?
Prayer is a religious practice found in almost every religion. Prayer is a way of connecting with the spirit of life, that some call God, and with the whole world around us. In this affirmation, Unitarian Universalists are saying that we feel connected to the spirit of life and to the world around us when we serve others and work to make the world a better place.
Think about how this works in your life. Put a low watt bulb in your lamp and plug it in, but don't turn it on.
"Does this lamp have electrical power?" Yes.
"Can you see it?" No.
"Why not?" Because it hasn't been turned on.
People are like this lamp. We are all connected to the power of love that brings light and goodness to the world. Sometimes the light that shines out of a person is small (put in a 25 watt light bulb); Sometimes it's huge (put in a 100 watt light bulb). Sometimes it isn't there at all (turn off the light switch). We choose to turn our light on or not. And we choose how bright our light is going to be, by the things we do and the way we are in the world. Service to others is one way we make our light shine brightly and feel a strong connection to love and the spirit of life.
Think of a time recently when you did something nice for someone, or helped someone in some way. As you share your story, pick one of the light bulbs to show how strong a connection you felt when you did this. Put it in the lamp and turn it on. Was it a small light that your action made, or a big light? What made it big or small? How did you feel?
Take turns sharing times you've helped or served others. Each time, light the lamp with the 25, 60 or 100 watt bulb to show how strong a connection to love you felt with each act of service, and how big a light shined out from you.
Think of ways you and your family can make service a part of your everyday life.
If you know it, you could end your family worship time by singing the song "This Little Light of Mine."
Source: This activity was adapted from Nurturing Spirituality in Children, by Peggy J. Jenkins. |
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