Saying Good-bye is Saying Hello
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Before gathering for this activity, ask each person to bring:

a CD or tape with a song on it that speaks about saying good-bye or starting over again

or

a poem that speaks about saying good-bye or new beginnings

You'll need:

a boom box to play CDs and/or tapes

a Bible with these passages marked: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 ; John 14: 1-3; John 20: 19-21

a large sign that says: "In my end is my beginning." T.S. Eliot

Step by Step

1. Hang up and/or show the sign the quote from T.S. Eliot on it.
2. Explain: Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet in the beginning of the 20th century who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but lived most of his life in England. This is one of his most famous lines.
3. Discuss: What does Eliot mean when he says "In my end is my beginning"? How is the ending of something a beginning?
4. Have someone read aloud Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.
5. Explain that this is the time of year for saying good-bye and for moving on.
6. Discuss: How does it feel to say "good-bye" to this school year? To this group? To your school, if you are graduating?
7. Have each person who brought a song or poem about saying good-bye play it or read it.
   Discuss: What does each of these songs or poems teach us about saying "good-bye"?
8. Have someone read aloud John 14: 1-3.
9. Explain that this was part of what Jesus said on the night before he died.
10. Discuss: What does Jesus teach us about saying "good-bye"?
11. Have each person who brought a song or a poem about starting over again or new beginnings play or read it. Discuss: what does each of these songs or poems teach us about new beginnings?
12. Discuss: What new beginnings await you this summer? Next fall?
    What are your fears about these new beginnings?
    What are your highest hopes for these new beginnings?
13. Have some one read aloud John 20:19 -21.
14. Explain: Jesus spoke these words on the night that he rose from the dead, shortly before he ascended into heaven and left his disciples to continue his work here on earth.
15. Have each one say: What do I hear Jesus sending me out to do now?
16. Explain: One of the oldest Christian ways of saying good-bye and saying hello is to share a sign of peace. It reminds us that even when we are apart, we are together in the spirit of Christ.
17. Have everyone take a moment and be silent.
18. Have some one pray aloud:
    Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, "I leave you peace; my peace I give to you." You know our fears about saying good-bye. You know our hopes for the new beginnings that await us. Grant us your peace and keep us united in your heart as we go our separate ways from here. And bring us back together from time to time until that day when you return in glory and gather us in forever. You are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
19. Invite everyone to share a sign of peace.