Being Together
Theme
How to worship God.
Aim
To teach the value of 'collective' worship and the importance of each and everyone.
Preparation
You will need to make, or get the children to make items for the 'Focus'.
This will take some time in organisation and craft work.
Focus
- some strips of fabric
- a simple weaving frame with warp (down) strands
- a finished piece of weaving, a simple basket weave in paper would do.
Introduction
Show the children the weaving. Talk about how weaving is done, and how long it takes to go over and under.
Story - The Weaving needed Everyone
There was a rule at William's school called 'time out'.
William thought it was a good rule because it meant that Michael got what he deserved. William thought Michael was not a boy he wanted for a friend and he was cross because Michael had been put on his table. Michael was unkind, and he told lies and he copied other people's work.
'Time out' meant he had to sit by himself; or stand by the wall at playtime; or sit alone at dinner.
When they sat on the carpet for story, Michael was allowed back IF he could behave.
On Tuesday, William was shouting in class. Mrs Murray said, "William, the rest of us really can't put up with that noise. 'Time Out' for you. Go to the book corner and work there please."
William had to sit on a table by himself and he felt ashamed. It was awful not being with everyone else. When the class practiced for Class Assembly he came back but decided to sulk and not join in! He pulled faces at Michael.
At playtime, Mrs Murray told him to stay behind.
"We miss you" she said, "the class isn't the same when you are choosing to be apart". William didn't understand. He didn't think he'd chosen anything. He looked at the floor.
"If one person isn't joining in then we are not really a class. It makes me sad, William. Each person in our class is important. What would the weaving have looked like if you hadn't put in your red pieces of cloth?"
William looked at the finished weaving which was going to be shown to the school in their Class Assembly on Friday. Each boy and girl had put in pieces of fabric (hold as you talk) and now it was finished. William thought it looked beautiful. His red strips of cloth made it look bright. Gran had saved them from a dress she was making, and he'd taken them to school.
"What would you feel like if you had to miss the Assembly?" Mrs Murray was talking to him in a kind voice, which somehow made William want to cry.
"I want to be there," muttered William looking at her.
"And I want you to be there too!" she replied. "Being together is important. It makes us one, like the weaving. Every thread matters. Now off you go, there's still time left for play."
As William got his coat on Mrs Murray called after him, "Oh and by the way William, I am having a move round of tables after half term and you'll be in a different group." She smiled, and suddenly everything seemed all right again for William.
Discuss with the children how all of us coming together to Worship God helps to make us one school like a family. We can all help each other.
Perhaps you could ask them if they thought that Michael mattered to Mrs Murray as much as William did!
Stillness and Prayer
Dear God, thank you that although we are all different we all make
up one school and each person matters. Help us be like the
weaving and try to work well with each other.
Amen
Sing
Come into His presence, Children's Praise No.14, Marshall Pickering
He's got the whole world in his hand, Children's Praise No.62
