This session focuses on the key UU values of the inherent worth and dignity of every person, acceptance of one another, and kindness and fairness in human relations. Children in kindergarten and first grade are old enough to begin to understand the meaning of these values in their lives, in their feelings about themselves and their relationships with others. When you model these values in your teaching, your actions and words have a lasting and profound impact on the children. Through your example, they will experience the power of our Unitarian Universalist val ues in their lives and they will "catch" their religious education from you!

This is an important session in affirming each child and encouraging kindness and fairness in how we think about and treat others. Through your attention to and affirmation of each individual and your mindfulness in building community, you help create an environment of trust and security. Throughout the eight sessions, the goal is to support and strengthen each child's sense of self-worth and sense of belonging to this community.

Introduce your opening and closing rituals in this session. Create an area of sacred space in your classroom with your coleader or include the children in creating this space. Either way, the attitude you bring to the opening and closing times is what creates a sacred environment. Your willingness to share how the subject of every session relates to your Unitarian Universalist beliefs and values offers the children clarity and courage for future life decisions.

Invite the children and parents to the area you have prepared for your ening and closing times. You may want the group to stand in a circle around a "wonder and beauty" table with a chalice on it or you may want to e the chalice on the floor in the center of your sharing circle. You may to use meditation chimes or a worship bell to help create a sense of worship time.

Welcome the group. Light the chalice. Sound the chimes or bell. Then say something like, "As we begin the Our Whole Lives program together, let us remember that Unitarian Universalists believe that each and every person is unique and important. We believe that every person is special and important , unique and wonderful." Read the following affirmation: Welcome to the church of the flaming chalice. Welcome to a congregation of open minds. Welcome to a congregation of loving hearts. Welcome to a congregation of helping hands.

Go around the circle and say the name of each person or invite each person to say his/her name. Then lead the group in singing "I'm Unique and Unrepeatable" (Leader Resource 1, Songs, in Our Whole Lives). Extinguish the chalice.

Read the children's version of the UU Principles from the UU Parent Handout, Unitarian Universalist Principles and Our Wholes Lives Values, or ask parents and children to look at the "We Believe" poster that you have displayed. As you read the seven principles, connect them to the values of this program. Share why this curriculum is being offered as part of their religious education program and why, as Unitarian Universalists, we believe that healthy sexuality is an important and good part of life.

Drawing: Making Pictures of Our Wonderful Bodies. Invite parents to work with their children as they decorate their journal covers with the name of their congregation and other words or pictures that affirm each child's specialness. Encourage families to continue to add affirmations to the journal pages and HomeLinks when they share time together during the week.

Closing: Ask the children and parents to gather around the chalice again for a moment of silence. Then lead the group in singing the closing song, "Until We Meet Again" (Leader Resource 1, Songs, in Our Whole Lives), written especially for this program. Affirm each child's and each parent's participation in this session.