Session 1: The Journey Begins

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Faithful Journeys, Grades 2-3

In This Section

Introduction
From Faithful Journeys

In our era the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action. — Dag Hammarskjold This session introduces the program and welcomes participants as faithful travelers. Children learn how beliefs about what is right and fair connect with actions people can take to express their…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Faithful Journeys

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Group Behavior Covenant 5 Activity 2: Move It! Song — “Woyaya” 5 Activity 3: Story Path — UU Faithful Journeys 15 Activity 4: Decorating Our Faithful Journeys Path 15 Activity 5: UU Principles Matching Game 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Candles of Joys…
Spiritual Preparation
From Faithful Journeys

If it would be helpful in creating sacred space, light a candle or chalice. Reflect upon your own journey as a Unitarian Universalist. Take a few moments to ponder: How do you express your Unitarian Universalism in your daily lifestyle? In your larger choices?…
Opening
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers and tape Posters of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in both adult and children’s language, or copies of Session 1, Handout 1 for all participa…
Activity 1: Group Behavior Covenant
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write “Covenant” at the top of a sheet of newsprint and post it where you can write on it while leading a discussion….
Activity 2: Move It! Song - Woyaya
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Journey, supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition, or copies of Handout 2, “Woyaya” Optional: Copies of Handout 3, “Come and Go with Me” (alternate song) Preparation for Activity If you ar…
Activity 3: Story Path - UU Faithful Journeys
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2: Faithful Journeys Path Optional: A wide ribbon, long enough to wind around the perimeter of the room, or masking tape A copy of each of the three “Making a Difference” stories about Harriot Kezia Hunt, Toribio Quimada and Annie…
Activity 4: Decorating Our Faithful Journeys Path
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path Footprints and wheelchair tracks for all participants (Leader Resources 3 and 4) Trees cut out from copies of Leader Resource 5, Trees for the Faithful Journeys Path Optional: Templates of trees (Leader Resource 5), blank pap…
Activity 5: U U Principles Matching Game
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of Leader Resource 6, UU Principles Matching Game Cards (Note: If the group has more than seven children, make an additional copy of the cards with the children’s language.) Two baskets Preparation for Activity Cut out the game cards from Lead…
Closing
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path Copies of Leader Resource 8, UU Principles Song, for all participants Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Traffic light from Leader Resource 7, and glue stick or tape Copies of Handout 1, Unitarian Universalist Principles:…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Faithful Journeys

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team co-leaders and your director of religious education. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Which activities worked well?…
Alternate Activity 1: Candles of Joys and Sorrows
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Large nonflammable container, such as ceramic or metal bowl Play sand (can be found at local hardware store) or unscented cat litter Large number of candles Basket for candles Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Fill your container with the…
Alternate Activity 2: Move It! All My Friends and Neighbors Game
From Faithful Journeys

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A chair for each participant Preparation for Activity Identify a space large enough for the children to form a circle of chairs. Description of Activity Children build community as they learn more about one another while having fun and being active.
Taking It Home: The Journey Begins
From Faithful Journeys

In our era the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action. — Dag Hammarskjold IN TODAY’S SESSION… Children were introduced to the central idea of the Faithful Journeys curriculum: Unitarian Universalists express faith in our actions and behaviors. We began the journey…
Annie Arnzen Making A Difference
From Faithful Journeys

Adapted from “A Week at SOS Children’s Village, Tlokweng, Botswana,” by Annie Arnzen, on the “A Precious Cause” website. Used with permission. Annie first went to Botswana in 2006, when she was in eighth grade. She and her family attend the North Parish, Unitarian Universalist, in North Andover,…
Harriot Kezia Hunt Making A Difference
From Faithful Journeys

Adapted from multiple sources including a 2005 article, “Mrs. Mott, ‘The Celebrated Female Physician,’” in Historic New England online magazine. Harriot Kezia Hunt, 1805-1875, was barred from medical study at Harvard College because male students objected to her presence….
Toribio Quimada Making A Difference

Ellen Gold

From Faithful Journeys

By Ellen Gold. Based on information in the book, Maglipay Universalist, by Fred Muir (Annapolis, Maryland: Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 2001) and a 2002 review of Muir’s book by Rosemary Bray McNatt in UU World magazine. I bet some of you love to read. Maybe you have a favorite book.
Handout 1: Unitarian Universalist Principles, Adult and Child Versions
From Faithful Journeys

Unitarian Universalist Principles We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual grow…
Handout 2: Song - Woyaya
From Faithful Journeys

Hymn 1020 in Singing the Journey, supplement to Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook. Copyright unknown.We are going, Heaven knows where we are going, But we know within. And we will get there, Heaven knows how we will get there, But we know we will….
Handout 3: Song - Come and Go with Me
From Faithful Journeys

Hymn 1018 in Singing the Journey, supplement to Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook.Come and go with me to that land, Come and go with me to that land, Come and go with me to that land where I’m bound….
Leader Resource 1: Alternate Openings
From Faithful Journeys

Original sources are unknown for many readings commonly used in Unitarian Universalist congregations. If you like, select your own opening words to use instead of those provided in the sessions. These readings could work well, or you may prefer to find or write your own….
Leader Resource 2: Faithful Journeys Path Instructions
From Faithful Journeys

The Faithful Journeys Path is meant to be a large visual of a winding path that represents the journey we make as we translate our faith into action. In each session, you will add a signpost to the path, e.g., a green light (Session 1), Be Fair (Session 4), Build World Community (Session 13)….
Leader Resource 3: Faithful Footprints
From Faithful Journeys

Using different colors of paper, cut out Faithful Footprints to post on the Faithful Journeys Path. To promote inclusion, also provide wheelchairs (Leader Resource 4) as an alternative. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 4: Making Tracks for Faith
From Faithful Journeys

Promote inclusion by providing pictures of wheelchairs, using different colors of paper, as an alternative to Faithful Footprints to post on the Faithful Journeys Path. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 5: Trees for the Faithful Journeys Path
From Faithful Journeys

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 6: UU Principles Matching Game Cards
From Faithful Journeys

Cut out the game cards. Keep the adult language Principles separate from the children’s version. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 7: Signpost for Session 1
From Faithful Journeys

Cut out the traffic light. Color the bottom circle green if using a black and white version. During the Closing, show it to the children and attach it to the Faithful Journeys Path. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 8: UU Principles Song

Lisa Rubin

From Faithful Journeys

Sing to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” Seven UU Principles, Come and sing with me! One! Everyone is special, That’s what we believe! With a high five here and a high five there, Here a high five, there a high five, everywhere a high five … Everyone is special! That’s what we believe! Two!
Find Out More
From Faithful Journeys

Harriot Hunt and the Motts The treatment Drs. Elizabeth and Richard Dixon Mott provided her sister, Sarah, inspired Harriot Kezia Hunt to learn the Motts’ healing practices. However, in 1830s Boston, the Motts were considered quacks. According to the article, “Mrs. Mott, ‘The Celebrated Female…