All Saints’ Day
All Saints’ Day is on 1 November
by Rebecca Parkinson
Suitable for Key Stage 1
Aims
To explore our uniqueness and consider All Saints’ Day on 1 November.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (All Saints' Day) and the means to display them.
- Optional: you may wish to use a reader for the Bible passage Matthew 5.1-12 (the Sermon on the Mount).
Assembly
- Show Slides 1-8.
As you show each slide, ask the children to identify the animal and share any physical or behavioural information about it. - Ask the children to describe the differences between the animals and their characters. Do they have weaknesses? Do they have strengths? What can they do and what can’t they do when compared to one another?
- Ask the children which animal is their favourite and why.
Listen to a range of responses. - Point out that, just as each animal is different, so each person is different.
- Ask the children to describe what one of their friends or family members is good at. Ask the children to think about what they are good at themselves, for example, reading, playing football, sharing or being kind.
- Explain that each person has things that they are good at and also things that they find difficult. Each person is unique – there is no one quite like each of us in the whole world.
Time for reflection
Christians believe that it is important to celebrate the uniqueness and importance of each person. They believe that God created people and that they are made for a reason.
All Saints’ Day is celebrated on 1 November every year. It is a time when Christians remember and celebrate not only famous saints (you may wish to use specific examples, especially if you are in a church school that is named after a saint), but all people who have lived a special life for God.
Optional: read the Bible passage Matthew 5.1-12. Explain that Jesus taught a very useful lesson in this passage. He pointed out that people don’t need to be showy or special to be important. Instead, they need to be aware of those around them and care for them.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for all the animals in the world, from the smallest to the largest.
Thank you for our pets, who we can love and who make us feel safe and happy.
Thank you for wild animals, strong animals, beautiful animals and tiny animals.
Thank you that the world is full of variety.
Help us to remember that we, like animals, are all unique.
Help us to use our talents to help your world and the people in it.
Amen.
Song/music
‘Tidal wave’ by Doug Horley, available at: https://youtu.be/hWfYpF40i8U (4.25 minutes long)
