Sunday of the Paralytic

Activities for the Whole Family:

Race to be the first one in the pool after the angel troubles the waters!

• Create a "pool" out of masking tape on your floor (or just agree on a finishing line).

• Contestants could be the paralytic (each one moving across the room to the water without using their legs) or they could be blowing the paralytic (index card "mats" with people drawn on them) with a straw or funnel toward the pool or finish line.

• When you call out, “the pool is stirring!” everyone races to the pool!

• After playing a few rounds, talk about how difficult it must have been for people to sit around waiting for the pool to stir. The paralytic had no one to help him! How would it feel to be waiting so long with NO ONE to help?

Do a science/craft project together: In the pool of Bethesda, an angel stirred the waters. Here’s your chance to make waters “stir”! For this experiment, you’ll need a glass (or clean jar, measuring cup, or something similar); water, oil, food coloring, and an Alka Seltzer tablet. To make it an art project, just fill the glass, jar, or measuring cup to the brim, and as the “waters stir”, gently place a piece of paper on the surface to absorb the colored water coming to the top. Repeat with other colors if you wish, to add to your artwork.

Assemble a craft project that might just double as a Mother's Day gift (coasters, anyone?). Weave your own small “pallet” with yarn, cardboard, and a yarn needle. (If you don't have a yarn needle, be creative -- tape the end of the yarn or string to a toothpick!)