Dana Greeley

WE HELP MAKE THE WORLD BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ALPHABET

Please read the Overview before using this Plan.

G g Letter G introduces Dana Greeley, grandparents and generations. The globe gives the worldwide presence of Unitarian Universalists.

MATERIALS: Construction paper with hole punched in top, yarn for necklace

Ask children to bring pictures of grandparents or relatives other than the immediate family.

Globe or map of the world

Snacks—Grapes, granola

GETTING STARTED:

Welcome. After each person says his or her name, the group responds, “Welcome, (name).” For a child who is attending for the first time this year, add name to the letters that have been posted and to the attendance sheet, and make a nametag during or after the session. Leave an empty chair for someone who is not present or for someone who has not joined the group yet.

The Letter of the Day:

Talk about the Letter.
Give the Letter necklace to a person with that initial.
Talk about the things that the children have brought for the Letter, and/or Letter grab bag.

SPECIAL PERSON: Dana Greeley (July 5, 1908-1986)

Dana Greeley was a Unitarian minister. He was the President of the Unitarian Service Committee, a group that helps people all around the world get the things that they need to live. He helped the Unitarians and the Universalists become the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1961. He became the first President of the new group.

Dana Greeley worked very hard for world peace. He had friends who were leaders of other churches. He helped start the World Conference on Religion and Peace. He felt that churches needed to be involved in peacemaking, not just the governments. His church also helped people who believed that war was wrong.

Dana Greeley had four daughters and ten grandchildren. Many of his family members are active in various Unitarian Universalist churches.

Dr. Greeley was very sick before he died. But he continued to go out as much as he could, so that he showed others how much he enjoyed life! (His joy of life can be seen in the words that he wrote, now Hymn #326 in Singing the Living Tradition.)

AFFIRMATION: We help make the world better for everyone.

Grandparents. How many of the children have grandparents who attend the church? For those who do not have grandparents in the church, are their grandparents Unitarian Universalists in another church? Have they gone to church with their grandparents (as Unitarian Universalists or to another faith tradition)? Have their grandparents ever come to church with them?

A "Church Grandparent" program matches children and older adults. There can be informal communications between them, such as exchanging cards, talking on Sunday mornings or on the phone, or doing special things together.

Generations. Invite older people in the congregation visiting the group to discuss why they come to this church, what they like to do (special interests, hobbies). The intent would be in providing an opportunity for interactions among the generations.

THE LETTER G IN THE CHURCH

God. There are several books available related to perceptions of God.

A-B-C

Animals: Gerbil, giraffe, goat, goose, gorilla, grasshopper, gull

Body:

Calendar:

Note the date of the session and any special events for the day, including birthdays.
Note items beginning with that letter
Note events between today and the next session.

CLOSING: Gather around the Special Place where the things related to the letter have been placed. "For the Letter G we give thanks. We have shared and learned about special people and animals and ourselves and our church. May we leave in love and peace. Next week we will meet again. Our letter will be ____ and our leader(s) will be ____________________." Make sure that people take home things that need to

VARIATIONS FOR OLDER CHILDREN

The globe. Dr. Greeley worked with the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF). Using a globe talk about where there are Unitarian Universalist churches in the world (information is in the Unitarian Universalist Association Directory, published and sent to each church annually). From the 1998-1999 Directory, there are churches or contacts in:

United States

Argentina

Australia

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Canada

Czech Republic

Denmark

France

Germany

Great Britain/Ireland

Hungary

India

Japan Latvia

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nigeria

Norway

Puerto Rico

Philippines

Poland

Romania

Russia and Ukraine

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

The children might want to have pen pals in other countries. If the church has a partner church arrangement, discuss this with the group.

Pictures from IARF focus on the fact that Unitarian Universalists work with many different faiths.