Tapestry of Faith: Amazing Grace: A Program about Exploring Right and Wrong for Grade 6

Introduction

Part of Amazing Grace

My Church Believes in Civil Rights for All

— Bumper stick produced by the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland, Maine, during a state referendum about the rights of sexual minorities

This session is the first of four that focuses specifically on what Unitarian Universalism has to say about virtue and sin. It opens with a play, which shows that Unitarian Universalism honors many diverse ideas but places great value on its stated Principles and its reliance on many Sources. Participants will formulate their own succinct statements about Unitarian Universalist beliefs about virtue and sin. They will hear an African story that explains why wisdom is widespread, and they create bumper stickers about their religion.

Goals

This session will:

  • Use a story to express the Unitarian Universalist belief that no one religion has a monopoly on religious truth
  • Recognize Unitarian Universalist activism in the participant's congregation
  • Confirm that Unitarian Universalism confronts issues of good and evil
  • Demonstrate various ways that Unitarian Universalists profess their faith.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:
  • Increase their understanding of Unitarian Universalism
  • Understand UU Principles as a statement about right and wrong, virtue and sin
  • Identify visual indicators of the values shared in their faith home
  • Appreciate the Unitarian Universalist idea that we can find wisdom about right and wrong in many sources
  • Optional: Be able to summarize their Unitarian Universalist faith.