Tapestry of Faith: What Moves Us: A Unitarian Universalist Theology Program for Adults

Opening

Part of What Moves Us

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Small worship table and cloth
  • Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle
  • A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook
  • Newsprint, markers, and tape
  • Optional: Microphone

Preparation for Activity

  • Set up the altar or centering table with the cloth, chalice, candle and matches or lighter.
  • Place chairs in a semicircle around the table.
  • Prepare and post a sheet of newsprint with these words of Annie Dillard:

We are here to abet creation and

to witness to it,

to notice each other's beautiful

face and complex nature

so that creation need not play to

an empty house.

Description of Activity

Welcome participants. Invite a participant to light the chalice while you read aloud Reading 651 in Singing the Living Tradition, "The Great End in Religious Instruction" by William Ellery Channing, noting that this reading, found in our hymnbook is one of his most familiar writings, well-loved by Unitarian Universalists.

Invite participants to join in reading aloud the opening words you have posted on newsprint, "We are here to abet creation" by Annie Dillard.