United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Scripture Text | Matthew 26:39-46
Three Wonderings
1
I wonder when there was a time you were afraid?
2
I wonder who or what helped you feel safe?
3
I wonder what God feels when we are afraid?
Caring for the Common Good Project
Amplify Kindness
Big-hearted actions speak louder than fear. Amplify the impact of kindness by creating a display to celebrate the way you help and are helped by community. Add to your display throughout the Lenten season.
Materials: Printed “kindness is…” square. Crayons or markers, Scissors
How to: Wonder together:
- Who did you help today? Who did you make smile?
- Who helped you? How did someone else make your day better?
- Inspired by your wondering, decorate a “kindness is…” square.
- Assemble squares into a display. Consider hanging them with clothespins along a ribbon. Tape or glue them onto poster paper to make a quilt. Or create your own one-of-a-kind display.
Reflect:
- Looking at the display, we can see the many, organic ways our community supports one another. What feelings does this display inspire in you?
Contemplative Movement
Outdoor Explore
What: Walk to a place you associate with a garden. Find some melting snow or puddling rain; enjoy the mud!
Reflect/Ask:
- Consider negative associations people have with mud. Wonder about all the life in that mud.
- Take several deep breaths as you look toward the sky; sway in the breeze
- Consider how mud goes from ‘yuck’ to new life; how fear can be met with courage.
- Explore where God is in our fear; in courage.
Films
Short film: Coin Operated (all ages) A young boy dreams of a moon-rocket and space travel.
Full-length movie: Inside Out (ages 5+) 11-year-old Riley moves to San Francisco and her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Creative Project
Melt Our Fears
Materials: paper & coloring utensils; scissors
How to: Invite each person to draw a word or symbol naming a different fear on separate pieces of paper. Cut the pieces of paper into snowflakes. As you cut, talk about why you hold onto these fears. Enjoy everyone’s snowflakes; hang them in a window to share with others.
Additional reflection:
- Talk about what happens to snowflakes in the spring.
- Gather snow from outside. As it melts, talk about the importance of fear and the difference between courage grounded in faith vs. pride.
- Consider how naming and owning our fears can make us stronger.
Books
The Dark by Lemony Snickett (picture book ages 4-10)
Ghost by Jason Reynolds (chapter book ages 10+)
Additional Resources
- Read Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival and other titles about fear and anxiety available on this growing collection of picture books to inspire emotional awareness.
- Discover lots of ideas for meaningful acts of kindness in this printable list.
- Scripture Text Matthew 26:39-46