Faith At Home: October
Monthly Family Calendar to Explore Cultivating Compassion
One of our goals this year is to provide support and resources to parents and families. A meaningful way to do this is to integrate Unitarian Universalism into your home life, so that you practice your faith throughout the week, rather than only on Sunday morning. Our faith is one where we live our values - "deeds, not creeds." Children learn and internalize their concepts of faith by watching and learning from their parents.
October's theme is Cultivating Compassion. We've created a monthly calendar with simple activities to incorporate the monthly theme into your family's daily life and routine.
Download the calendar (PDF) and post it on your refrigerator or central location.
Share what worked or what came out of this experience for your family. Email
kskinner@uucuc.org or catch me on Sundays!
Compassion Cookies
Nothing shows you care like sharing a sweet treat. Have fun baking as a family and make some “crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth heart-shaped thumbprint cookies filled with a fresh and fruity jam.” You can share them with your family or take it a step further and give some away to someone (or many someones) who needs a compassionate boost.
Find the recipe here
Kindness & Compassion Rocks
Paint rocks with uplifting messages or designs and hide them around the neighborhood for others to find.
Blessing of Compassion
Dear bear huggers, band-aid handers, bad-dream snugglers, and kindness spreaders,
May your hearts open wide, and your hands be gentle, ready to heal and hold those with hurting hearts.
May your eyes see beyond differences to the shared light inside each person.
And may you journey steadily on the paths of empathy, helping others carry their burdens and celebrate their joys.
May you honor the earth beneath your feet and all the creatures that call it home.
May your family live in harmony with all beings, protecting and cherishing this sacred planet we share.
May you remember to be kind and compassionate to yourselves,
For our children do not need perfect parents, but only parents doing their best with love.
May your family be rooted in love and guided by our UU values.
May you grow together, choosing connection over division and compassion over fear.
And may your home be a sanctuary where all feel safe, seen, and deeply loved.
Blessed be, and may it be so.
Compassion Detective Bingo
Your mission is to notice moments when people offer each other kindness, care, and help.
There are so many places to look: at school, church, playgrounds, activities, stores, and home.
And here’s a secret: As you notice the compassion of others, you’ll be growing your own. Because when we pay attention to the kindness others show, we suddenly start to notice all the opportunities we have to be kind. This treasure hunt is also deeply connected to our Unitarian Universalist faith, which calls us to put love at the center of all we do.
To help you on your way, we’ve found a Compassion Detective Bingo Board. Take it with you whenever you can and when you spot someone showing compassion—big or small— check it off on the Compassion Bingo Board. See if you can find them all by the end of the month!
Directions
- Print the Compassion Detective Bingo Board
- Every time you see that act of compassion happen in real life, mark it off with a sticker, stamp, or colored dot.
- Celebrate as a family when you get a Bingo (five in a row) or Blackout (all squares filled).
Family Reflection
At the end of the month, gather as a family and share:
- What kind of compassion did you spot most often?
- Which was hardest to find?
- How did it feel to notice compassion all around you?
- Did you show compassion yourself after seeing others do it?
