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"To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing."
Raymond Williams
October Making A Difference
Making A Difference is the October Focus of the PWRDF Family Calendar -- you can explore this important concern with your family at any time of the year. Who has inspired you to make a difference?
Family Activity: Hope Thanksgiving
Continued efforts to make a difference and to make the world a better place, must be sustained by hope and faith. Take the time as a family to share with each other an example of who/or what keeps you going. Thanksgiving dinner would be an excellent time for this conversation. Each member of the family could light a candle as they share their contribution, or bring a symbol to add to the table centerpiece. A few days before the meal make sure that everyone who will attend knows that you want to include this ritual as a part of your celebration. Ask each person to share one thing that inspires them to make the world a better place, or a thanksgiving for one person who has made a difference in their lives. Sometimes we forget to share these important reflections among generations and it can be very significant for families to hear each other on these matters. If your children inspire you to make a difference, then tell them. If you learned it from your parents, tell them as well.
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank Photo: Liam Olsen, 8, of St. Anne's Anglican Church, B.C. raises money for Burma and China relief. Read the story of Liam and other PWRDF Local Heroes who make a difference.
Activity for ages 3-6: We are the branches tree donation can
"We are the branches" is a phrase that has been used to reflect the fact that the work of PWRDF belongs to Anglicans in Canada. Celebrate this connection, using the beautiful colors of fall with your youngest children.
Materials:
Trunk and Bark: empty clean tin can paper, brown crayon or paint, scissors, glue
Branches and leaves: small twigs, tape, colored tissue paper, pen
Directions:
1. Clean the can and remove any sharp edges.
2. Cover the can with bark -- bits of brown paper work well.
3. On the inside of the can use tape to secure a few twigs.
4. Cut the tissue paper into small circles and glue one or two on to the end of each twig to look like leaves. Use 5 leaves to add the words, PWRDF we are the branches. Add other branches and leaves as you like.
5.Use the tree can to collect donations to PWRDF. When it's full, count the coins and cash them in at the bank and send PWRDF a cheque for the amount. Write us a note and let us know you made your own tree and/or send us a picture.
Reach Out and Give by Cheri Meiners
Ages 4-8 This book begins with the concept of gratitude, because feeling grateful is a powerful motivator. Words and pictures show children contributing to their community in simple yet meaningful ways. Includes discussion questions, a philanthropy role play, generosity games, and ideas for service projects. Available from Parent Books.
Activity for ages 6-10: How the Monkeys Saved the Fish
Read the story How the Monkeys Saved the Fish with someone else. Talk about it and what you think it means. Make some monkey puppets and put on a show for family and friends. Discuss it after and share with us what you discover. Have you ever felt like the fish? or the monkey?
Monkey puppet instructions; Paper bag monkey puppet
Activity for ages 10-15: Artist Trading Cards
Artist Trading Cards, ATC's are individual art miniatures in the style of sports or collector cards.
ATCS can be made from any material - cardstock, old playing cards, recycled material -- the only rule in creating ATC's is that the dimensions are to be, in the trading card style of 2.5"x3.5", or 64x89mm. Each card is unique to the artist and can be made in any media -- painting, drawing, collage, photography, text, rubbings, stamps, punching holes, sewing, beads -- limited only by your imagination.
Create "inspire me" cards. Create a card or a set of cards to honour people who have inspired you to grow in your faith and to make the world a better place. Consider the question and write down the name of anyone who comes to mind -- could be someone you know, a historical figure, Jesus, a saint, an activist, someone in your family -- any story that inspires you. Create a card about that person -- you might use a quote, tell a bit of their story or what inspires you, a photo, or an image that you create. Add your name and contact information on the card.
Trade "inspire me" cards. ATCs are meant to be traded. Invite a group of friends to work on a set of 'inspire me' cards. No need for people to be in the same location as cards can be exchanged in the mail or on-line. Decide how you want to set up the exchange -- everyone make one for everybody or everyone just make one and then draw names to exchange. Start with one round of trading and then decide if you want to keep going or widen the circle.
SWEET DEAL!
Share your family story with PWRDF and we send you a fair trade chocolate bar. More....
More Ideas and Information
ATC Quarterly - links and information on Artist Trading Cards and groups.
