Theological Concept: Grace, celebrating the gifts of Nature

Chapel Set-up: The Tree of Life filled with many little treasures. We created a beach in the middle of the Minnesota winter, with beach blankets, buckets and shovels, a beautiful circle of shells around the altar table, and background ocean wave music.

Story: Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier

After the story we talked about treasure: what treasures they found in the story and all the ways we can think of treasure. I always bring a special box with a few of my own favorite "treasures" and I ask the children if they would like to see them. I show them and tell a brief story about to each one. A quilt square made by my great grandmother, a stone I gathered from the top of a mountain, pictures of my children.

We talk about what really makes a treasure is the story behind it or the love connected to the object or memory. One year we sent postcards and asked children to bring their favorite treasures. A few of the children shared stories about their treasures. Then we had a "blessing of the treasures" ceremony.

Music suggestions: "Simple Gifts" We have taught the original circle dance with the simple Shaker movements and this has become a community favorite.

Theological Concept: Transformation; the central human experience of story. Every religion, every culture, uses storytelling as a way of teaching beliefs and reinforcing morals. The purpose of this chapel is to talk about the use and power of stories. It could also be reframed to focus on the concept of Transformation.

Materials Needed: scarves, neckties, large piece of paper, and a scissors.

Chapel Set-up: The Tree of Life draped with lots of colorful scarves and neckties.

Story: Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback. There are many versions of this folk story. The above was recently reissued and won a Caldecott Medal in 1999. I think this story is most effective if told and not read. I start with a large piece of paper with an overcoat lightly drawn in pencil. As the story progresses, I cut the coat into the jacket, the jacket into the vest, the vest into the scarf, the scarf into the tie, the tie into the handkerchief, and the handkerchief into the button. I crumple up the button and drop it behind my back. Now I have nothing; except a great story!

And what are stories good for? Fun, teaching, remembering history...You can have a discussion about stories, all the places you find stories, and special stories in your families and in your church.

The discussion could also be about how we can make something out of nothing, or how one thing turns into another thing. Use examples from your own lives, your church or your community.

Other Ideas: Invite a church member to come and tell a special story from his or her life, or from the life of the congregation.

Music Ideas: The song, "I had a Little Overcoat" is printed with both words and music, in the back of the book.