Who Is Invited?
All are welcome
by Rachael Crisp
Suitable for Reception / Key Stage 1
Aims
To reflect upon how we can include others in our activities.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (All are invited) and the means to display them.
Alternatively, the images on the slides could be printed for the children to hold or, if you have the appropriate cuddly toys available, you could use them to help you tell the story in the assembly. - The Bible story is from Luke 14.15-24.
Assembly
- Explain that you are going to tell a story about a group of cuddly toys. Show the slides as you tell the story.
- Show Slide 1.
A lion named Geoffrey was the most important of all the cuddly toys. He sat in the most important place in the bedroom: on the bed. All of the other cuddly toys knew who Geoffrey was.
One day, Geoffrey decided to throw a big party and invite all of the other cuddly toys, so he sent out invitations to them all.
Geoffrey sent one invitation to Snap the Crocodile, who lived by the bedroom door.
Show Slide 2.
He sent another to Susie the Cat, who lived on the middle shelf in the bedroom.
Show Slide 3.
Another invitation went to Liam the Leopard, who lived on the bedside table.
Show Slide 4.
Geoffrey liked all of these toys because they all lived together in the bedroom and they were important to each other.
The time for the party arrived and everything was ready. Geoffrey sent out the little blue bear next to him to tell all the other toys to come in.
Show Slide 5.
All of the other toys made excuses as to why they couldn’t come to the party. One bear said that he was busy washing his fur, and another one said that she was busy waiting for some post. None of them came to the party. The little blue bear came back and told Geoffrey what the other toys had said, which made Geoffrey sad and rather cross. He said to the little blue bear, ‘Go into the wardrobe and bring in the poor, sick and lonely toys.’
Show Slide 6.
The little blue bear did this and then came back, saying, ‘I’ve done what you asked, but there’s still room for more.’
Geoffrey replied, ‘Go into the attic and invite the toys that are broken and that nobody wants.’
Show Slide 7.
So, the little blue bear invited all the toys he could find and they all had a fantastic party together! - This story is very similar to a story told by Jesus in the Bible (Luke 14.15-24), although his story involved people rather than cuddly toys! Christians believe that part of this story is about Jesus welcoming everyone: whether they feel important or not, whether they feel sick, or lonely or different. Christians believe that the Bible tells them that Jesus loves everyone and that everyone is special.
Time for reflection
Let’s think about what we have heard and how it affects us.
Can we think of someone in our class, or at football, or gymnastics, or in our school, or in our street, who is different in some way?
Do we know people who are new, lonely, sick or who don’t always get included in things?
Could we include them?
Could we be the person who makes a difference to their lives?
Could we show compassion and friendship?
Could we talk to them or let them join in with our game?
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you made us all differently.
Thank you that you love every one of us.
Help us to show care for all people.
Help us to learn to appreciate differences.
Help us to be inclusive and always to make others feel welcome.
Amen.
