Celebrating Family

			Celebrating Family

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Author: Tirrell H. Kimball

Publisher: Green Timber Publications

Pub. Date: 1990

Available From: Green Timber Publications, PO Box 3884, Portland, ME 04104. Phone (207) 797-4180

Theme and Description Explores concepts of family, including non-traditional family structures. Seeks to give each child a sense of belonging and a sense that his or her family is unique, precious, and as real as any other.

Goals for Participants

To explore concepts of family
To understand that families have a variety of structures
To feel a sense of belonging to a family
To affirm one's own and others' families.

Age Range Ages 5 to 14

Size of Group Very flexible. With sufficient leadership, can be used with the entire church school.

Space Requirements A large meeting area for all participants. Areas or rooms for smaller group work.

Number of Sessions 5 (Session 5 is an intergenerational worship service)

Length of Sessions 1 hour

Leader Training No special training required

Leader Preparation 1 1/2 to 2 hours

Strengths

Affirms the diversity of families in congregations and society
Can be used with a wide age range
Each session has a variety of engaging activities
Provides an opportunity for the entire congregation to focus on the theme in a worship service
Includes a good bibliography.

Limitations

Provides little leader background information. Does not give guidelines for handling such issues as adoptive, blended, foster, multiracial, gay, and lesbian families; divorce; or death
Requires leaders to gather books and other resources not sold with the curriculum
May be seen as "too young" by older children or youth.

Adaptability

Well suited to small church schools with few children in a wide age range
Can be the basis for intergenerational programming.

Unitarian Universalist Values Affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. Explicitly affirms diversity.