Henna Prayer Flags - can be used in RE this spring as we continue to offer to one another and the world our prayers for peace.

The process is simple:

Take (or make! ) some old henna paste - any old paste will do the job! I bought some at the Body Shop. It made enough for about 20 flags.

Place a plastic tablecloth and then a couple of layers of paper towels on the table. Put a square piece of cloth on top for each participant's -- a bit of white or light coloured cotton.

Read a peace prayer or meditation and tell the children that sometimes words can't possibly express profound and intense feelings - this is when art or other creative outlets help us express our emotions. When words seem futile and feelings must be released ... prayer flags can be a good focus.

Henna is an expression of the joy of life, so hennaed prayer flags may help spread a life affirmation... a wish for peace, love , hope, understanding.

Take your cloth piece and henna paint a pattern on it with a small stick or a brush - just focus on your feelings, don't feel that it needs to look like something.

Perhaps say a silent prayer at this point for your dream of peace and harmony in the world. Play some meditative music. The symbols will come- of peace, of your dreams of love, of hope, of gratitude - start drawing, the pattern will develop! Take care with the henna - it will stain the clothes you're wearing!

Let the henna dry a bit. Flick off the extra henna flecks into the garbage and then have an adult iron the cloth between paper towels top and bottom. (Iron set on cotton). Pass the iron over the hennaed part several times and it will darken each time.

This is very important - the scent of the ironed henna is beautiful and will start carrying your prayer on the wind. Hang your prayer flag outdoors somewhere at home.. and every time it flutters, the essence of your prayer will be carried on the wind to the proper place.

Eventually, the sun, wind and rain will consume your flag and the feelings carried with it, and by then, perhaps, there may be an answer to your prayer -- some greater understanding, compassion, wisdom, goodwill, peace.

Our children at the Unitarian Fellowship of London did this activity in Family RE. Several of the families hung their flags at their homes, other flags were hung on the trees at the Fellowship. They served as a reminder of our hopes for peace.

This certainly feels like the time to intentionally send out our prayers for peace once again.

Peace is courage. Peace is strength. Peace is power.

Peace is one small step, taken over and over again. on a long, long road.