First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington

Parent Resources

Contents:  Grace   Meditations & Prayers   Chalice Lightings  
                     Parenting Web Resources  

Grace 1

May we hold hands quietly for a moment...

May we hold hands quietly for a moment.... feeling love flow around us and through us, knowing that as we give love away there is always more within.

Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.

Grace 2

For being, for being here, for being here together.

Meditations & Prayers

Lucinda S. Duncan -- God of life and beauty:

God of life and beauty:
We pray for the quietness of snowflakes, knowing that love is quiet.
We pray for the kindness of small acts, knowing gentleness is fragile.
We are grateful to know that thoughtfulness makes no sound,
that compassion leaves wonderfully beautiful traces when we open ourselves to wonder.
May ours be a religion which, like the snowflake, goes everywhere in quietness,
in love, and with gentle regard for that which is true and beautiful,
in us and about us. Amen.

Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.

Chalice Lightings

Lindsay Bates -- To face the world's shadows, a chalice of light.

To face the world's shadows, a chalice of light.
To face the world's coldness, a chalice of warmth,
To face the world's terrors, a chalice of courage.
To face the world's turmoil, a chalice of peace.
May its glow fill our spirits, our hearts, and our lives.

Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.

Recommended Parenting Web Resources

Tufts University Child and Family Web Guide
This site is an excellent resource for a large spectrum of information about children and families. The site provides information and also offers assessments by renowned child development experts of other child and family-related sites.

Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture
Produced by the New American Dream, this is an excellent, parent-friendly booklet addressing how parents can navigate family life in a commercial culture. It is downloadable.

Mavin Foundation 
The nation's leading organization that builds healthy communities that celebrate and advocate for mixed heritage people and families.

Project a Maze 
A non-profit organization of parents, educators and other caring adults working to create safe and respectful communities by promoting the knowledge and skills needed to work together across our differences.

Things Kids Can Do For the Earth
Booklist from Robbins Library Children's Department, 2008

List of resources from the www.uua.org