Tapestry of Faith: Love Connects Us: A Program on Living in Unitarian Universalist Covenant for Grades 4-5

Taking It Home: Our Heritage's Calling

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it. — Margaret Fuller, 19th-century Unitarian theologian

IN TODAY'S SESSION... the participants experienced a challenging obstacle course and then heard a story about Elizabeth Blackwell who persisted in her quest to become a doctor even as she faced many obstacles to achieving her dream because she was a woman. Blackwell's Unitarian faith sustained her and her strong calling helped her persevere. Participants considered what they like doing best in order to gain insight about their personal callings to help others.

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Talk about... a time in your life when you reached a goal despite many obstacles. Talk about how you handled the adversity and share what drove you to continue pursuing your goal.

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Try... sharing others' stories of adversity and challenge by watching videos of movies such as Willow, Field of Dreams, Rocky, or Hoosiers. After the movie, talk about the obstacles the characters faced and how they were able to overcome them or work around them. Share ideas about what may have driven the characters to continue in the quest of their dream even when it seemed hopeless. Finally, talk about how the characters overcoming these obstacles helped other people (either directly, or indirectly—such as by example).

A Family Game. Create your own outdoor obstacle course. Include challenges such as walking across a two-by-four plank or climbing through a tire. If there is one near you, try a family ropes course or climbing wall activity together.

A Family Ritual. Pass a basket of stones around for each family member to select one. While they hold a stone in the palm of their hand, invite each person to share something (or someone) that makes them feel stronger or keeps them going when they need help or assistance.