Tapestry of Faith: The New UU: A Program for Welcoming Newcomers to Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Opening

Part of The New UU

Activity time: 2 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, for all participants
  • Chalice, candle, and lighter, or an LED battery-operated candle
  • Appropriate stand or small table for the chalice
  • Cloth or decorative covering for chalice stand

Preparation for Activity

  • Prepare a welcoming space, including comfortable seating arranged in a circle around a small table with a chalice at its center.
  • Place a hymnbook on or near each chair.

Description of Activity

At the designated starting time, bring participants together. Invite a volunteer to light the chalice. Introduce the opening reading with these or similar words:

Mark Morrison-Reed is a retired UU minister. An African American, he has documented much of the history of the African American experience in Unitarianism and Universalism-both the positive and negative aspects. He has prompted us toward becoming a more anti-racist Association. Let's read his words, Reading 580 in the hymnbook, in unison.

Lead the reading.