Session 5: Unitarian Universalism

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Amazing Grace, 6th Grade: Exploring Right and Wrong

In This Section

Introduction
From 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 t…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Amazing Grace

ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: The UUs and the Bullies – A Play 15 Activity 2: The Congregation’s Parking Lot 17 Activity 3: Story and Discussion – Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom 10 Activity 4: Elevator Speeches 15 Faith in Action: Making UU Bumper Stickers 20 Closing 3 Alternate Activity…
Spiritual Preparation
From Amazing Grace

In the days before you present this session, create your own “elevator speech,” a few brief sentences expressing your understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Afterwards, think about what this experience was like for you….
Opening
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Conundrum Corner poster/banner Leader Resource 1, UU Cars Sign on newsprint asking, “Which of these are UU cars?” Chalice and matches Recording of “Amazing Grace” and music player Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Nametags and markers…
Activity 1: The UUs and the Bullies - A Play
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, “The UUs and the Bullies” script Name tags on card stock, with string attached to hang around actors’ necks or hanging nametags Poster listing the http://www.uuabookstore.org/Principles-and-Purposes-Poster-P16899.aspx“… Principle…
Activity 2: The Congregation's Parking Lot
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 17 minutes Materials for Activity Photograph and sign from the Conundrum Corner, Leader Resource 1, UU Cars Optional: Photographs of bumper-sticker bearing cars in your own congregation’s parking lot Optional: Paper and pencils/pens Preparation for Activity Decide whether your grou…
Activity 3: Story and Discussion - Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story 1, “Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom” Preparation for Activity Read through the story. Photocopy Story 1, “Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom,” one for each participant. Description of Activity Say that you are going to share a story from the Ashanti…
Activity 4: Elevator Speeches
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: A stopwatch Preparation for Activity Optional: Decide if you want to time the activity.If your meeting space does not have a clock with a second hand, obtain a stopwatch for this activity. Be prepared to show a youth how to operate it.
Closing
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Create a handout from Taking It Home that is specific to the activities used in this session. Description of Activity Briefly summarize what you have done in this session. Hand out any Taking It Home…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Amazing Grace

Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on how it went. How was your mix of discussion and action? Have you successfully found ways to involve all youth fully in your sessions despite any limitations they might have? Did your group seem familiar with the Principles and Sources, or…
Faith In Action: Making UU Bumper Stickers
From Amazing Grace

Materials for Activity Waterproof vinyl sticker paper, or sticker paper and acrylic paint Washable markers Photograph from the Conundrum Corner Lamination supplies Optional: Music player and background music Preparation for Activity Look for waterproof vinyl sticker paper in craft stores, office…
Alternate Activity 1: Ethics Play
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two dice (extra large, if possible) of different colors Ethics Play role name tags Ethics Play Scenarios (Session 1, Leader Resources 2-7) Optional: Masks, costumes, and wigs for roles Preparation for Activity If you are or your group is new to Eth…
Alternate Activity 2: Matching Holidays and Sources
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Holidays and UU Sources Pencils Optional: Markers and paper or card stock for a more active approach Preparation for Activity Review the resource page and decide whether you wish to add any holidays to the list. Copy the resource…
Alternate Activity 3: Preparing for a Guest Speaker
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Description of Activity Participants prepare questions for a guest speaker. If you plan to do the Faith in Action from Session 6, The First U, when your group next meets and you will have a visitor talk about your…
Taking It Home: Unitarian Universalism
From Amazing Grace

My Church Believes in Civil Rights for All — Bumper sticker produced by the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church in Portland, Maine, during a state referendum about the rights of sexual minorities IN TODAY’S SESSION… We performed a play about some UU youth meeting some bullies. We talked…
Anansi and the Pot of Wisdom

Jessica York

From Amazing Grace

An Ashanti story retold by Jessica York. Anansi, the spider, loves to spin a tale! He can regale you for hours with stories full of wonder, stories full of fun, and stories full of facts, too. Because he is so nosy, Anansi knows almost everything about almost everybody. Almost….
Leader Resource 1: UU Cars
From Amazing Grace

Take a look at some cars with Unitarian Universalist (UU) bumper stickers.
Leader Resource 2: The UUs and the Bullies
From Amazing Grace

Characters Narrator First UU Youth Second UU Youth Third UU Youth Fourth UU Youth First Bully Second Bully Third Bully Fourth Bully Props Name tags for characters, on card stock with string for hanging around the neck Scene A city sidewalk outside a tall parking garage NARRATOR: Some UU youth arr…
Leader Resource 3: Holidays and UU Sources
From Amazing Grace

Instructions: On the left is a list of holidays that many people celebrate. On the right is a list of the UU Sources. On the line next to each holiday, write the letter of the Source that has the most to do with the holiday. You can put more than one letter per line if you like. If you think no…
Find Out More
From Amazing Grace

Morales, Peter, editor. http://www.uuabookstore.org/The-Unitarian-Universalist-Pocket-Guide-P16… Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide (Boston: Skinner House, 2012). A brief but excellent introduction to Unitarian Universalism. Check out, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, the…