A Season of Nonviolence Be the Change (Service) For Older Children (Gr. 1-5) Sunday, February 4, 2018 This Week s Theme: I am the change the world needs today. I make a difference! Teacher Insights: A Season of Nonviolence is observed throughout the 64 days between the assassinations of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 th and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4 th. It is an international movement dedicated to a belief that we can heal, transform, and empower one another, our communities, and our world through peace. We find peace within ourselves. We share peace with one another. When we spread peace with our families, friends, and in our communities, we have the power to change the world. Inspirational Writing: My life is my message. Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi Bible Verse: Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself. - John 14:27 Unity Principle #5: Affirmations: I do and give my best by living the Truth that I know. I make a difference! I am the change the world needs today. I make a difference! Pre-Activity: 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. * Mahatma Gandhi activity sheets * Community games (in classroom) Heart Agreements describe ways we show respect for one another. We agree to have: * Gentle Hands * Open Hearts * Walking Feet * Listening ears * Kind Words Sacred Circle 11:00 a.m. 11:10 a.m. Invite each child to share in what ways they feel peace. Respond to each child by affirming, (Child s Name), you are a gift of peace in the world. Centering Breath for prayer: Breathe deeply and place your hand on your heart. Feel the Spirit of Peace in your heart. Breathe in peace all around you, breathe out peace to the world. We feel peace. We share peace. We are at peace. Affirmations: I am the change the world needs today. I make a difference!
Lesson Introduction: 11:10 a.m. 11:20 a.m. You Are the Face of God ( Unite With Me in Song, CD #3) I hold you in my heart. You are a part of me. I ve Got Peace Like a River ( Unite With Me in Song, CD #5) I ve Got Peace Like a River Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth; the peace that was meant to be. With God as Creator; family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take; let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me. Today s Scripture Reading: Parable of the Good Samaritan by Helen Caswell (from Luke 10: 33-37) What is the Golden Rule? [Treat others how you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12)] The Good Samaritan is a parable or story created to explain a message. What is the meaning of The Good Samaritan? Why was it so unusual that a Samaritan helped the injured man in the parable? In what ways can you be kind to others? Today s Season of Nonviolence Story: Mahatma Gandhi (see handout with materials) Who was Mahatma Gandhi? (Gandhi was a great leader who believed in peace and nonviolence. He was a champion of equality in India.) How was Gandhi like the Good Samaritan? In what ways was Gandhi like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? (Both men were civil rights leader who were committed to social justice and equal rights for all people. Both men were champions of peace and nonviolence. Both men were assassinated because of their beliefs.) In what ways can you be a role model like Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Creative Expression: 11:30 a.m. 11:50 a.m. Art Activity #1: Peace Posters Materials: * Daily Word magazines * White card stock * Markers * Scissors * Glue * Frames (Optional) 1. Discuss popular quotes about peace: Be the change you want to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2. Distribute copies of old Daily Word magazines. 3. Invite children to make posters about peace for the Season of Nonviolence. 4. Frame posters and post to walls throughout Unity Church of Overland Park. Art Activity #2: Inspirational Peace Candles Materials: * Daily Word magazines * Markers * Scissors * Glue * Mod Podge * Candles * Glass Candle Holders 1. Discuss popular quotes about peace (see above in Activity #1). 2. Distribute copies of old Daily Word magazines. 3. Invite children to cut out quotes about peace and inspiration from the magazines. 4. Fasten the quotes with glue sticks to the outside of the glass candle holders. 5. Coat surface of the glass candle holder with Mod Podge. Allow to dry. 6. Put a candle in the candle holder and place it somewhere in your home as a source of inspiration. Closing Prayer/Circle: 11:50 a.m. 11:55 a.m. Use the simple gestures and say the Prayer for Protection together: The light of God surrounds us; The love of God enfolds us; The power of God protects us; The presence of God watches over us; Wherever we are, God is and all is well! Join everyone in the church for closing songs. We will return to classrooms after the blessing. Teacher Reminders: Please HELP Encourage children to help tidy up the classroom. Remind parents and adults responsible for children to sign out before children exit the room. Return the teacher tub and all supplies to the Resource Room.
You Are the Face of God ( Unite With Me in Song, CD #3) I hold you in my heart. You are a part of me. I ve Got Peace Like a River ( Unite With Me in Song, CD #5) I ve Got Peace Like a River Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth; the peace that was meant to be. With God as Creator; family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take; let this be my solemn vow. To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me. Prayer for Protection The light of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us. The presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is, and all is well. Amen
Mahatma Gandhi Indian Civil Rights Leader Mahatma Gandhi was a great civil rights leader in India. He was one of the most famous champions for equality and justice in the world. Gandhi s words and actions were reflections of his beliefs. Like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi believed all people should be treated with kindness and respect. Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar (Por-băn-dar), India. He came from a wealthy family. His father was a leader in the community. Gandhi s family were Hindus. The believed it was very important to be pure of heart and kind to others. According to their family tradition, Gandhi s parents arranged a marriage for him when he was 13 years old. His parents wanted him to go to school and become a lawyer. When Mahatma was 19 years old, he traveled to England to study law at a university in London. He graduated and found a job at an Indian law firm in South Africa. While in Africa, Mahatma Gandhi experienced prejudice (negative beliefs based upon a person s association with a group) and unkindness. Many people in South Africa did not like him because he had dark skin and spoke with a foreign accent. Gandhi returned to his own country. The racism and inequality he experienced in South Africa was just like the mistreatment he received by the British people who lived in India. Great Britain ruled in India for more than 200 years. During British rule, most Indians were very poor. Gandhi encouraged Indian men and women to use nonviolent means to work for independence from Britain.
Through nonviolence, many Indians worked together to organize nonviolent protests. Gandhi was put in prison man times. As a form of protest, Gandhi refused to eat when he was in prison. Indians protested in the streets when they learned that their leader, Gandhi, was in a prison cell dying of starvation. British soldiers were afraid to keep Gandhi in prison because the people in India loved him so much. They usually released him from jail because they hoped to arrest him for more serious crimes. Great Britain tried to think of new ways to take money from the Indian people by increasing their taxes. One day, Great Britain decided make the people in India pay higher taxes for salt. Gandhi organized a peace march that was 241 miles long. The march led to the sea where Indians could make their own salt. Thousands of people decided to join Gandhi on the Salt March. Gandhi fought for civil rights and freedom for all people in India. He is called the Father of the Nation. His name, Mahatma, means Great Soul in Sanskrit. Mahatma Gandhi was shot and killed on January 30, 1948 by a terrorist while he attended a prayer meeting. Although Gandhi never received the Nobel Peace Prize, he was nominated for the award five times. He devoted his life to showing others how they could work together to solve problems with peace and kindness.