Session 8: Love Surrounds Us in Our History

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Love Surrounds Us, Grades K-1

In This Section

Introduction
From Love Surrounds Us

This argument is solid and weighty, but it is neither reasonable nor convincing. Not all the stones in Boston…shall shut my mouth. — Rev. John Murray, father of American Universalism, on the occasion of a rock thrown at him while he preached Unitarian Universalism has a long and honorable…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: History Chain 10 Activity 2: Story — Nathaniel Takes a Ride 5 Activity 3: Time Capsule 15 Activity 4: UU Magnets 15 Faith in Action: Partner Church Project Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: What’s in a Name? 10 Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Love Surrounds Us

Many members of our congregations are relatively new to Unitarian Universalism. If it was not the religion of your childhood, you may know little of our history. How comfortable are you with our history and your level of knowledge about it? Do you want to learn more about the origins of our…
Welcoming and Entering
From Love Surrounds Us

Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Drawing paper and crayons Preparation for Activity If you have not previously made ribbons sticks or wrist ribbons for each child do it now as per instructions in Session 1, Opening….
Opening for Session 8
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Session 1,Leader Resource 1, Rote Teaching — Love Surrounds Us Song Green cloth for centering table Preparation for…
Activity 1: History Chain
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper in two contrasting colors, scissors, and a marker Transparent tape Preparation for Activity Cut construction paper into 3x12-inch strips. Make 21 strips in one color and 6 in the other color. Number the 21 strips of paper for the…
Activity 2: Story, Nathaniel Takes a Ride
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Nathaniel Takes a Ride” Optional: “Nathaniel Takes a Ride” coloring sheet Preparation for Activity Practice reading the story aloud. Optional: Download, print, and copy the coloring sheet (PDF). Place coloring sheets and crayons…
Activity 3: Time Capsule
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A large empty container, shoe box, or other container with a lid A sheet of letterhead paper from your congregation, and a writing utensil Quart size plastic baggies A current, local newspaper and/or a congregational newsletter Permanent marker Ite…
Activity 4: UU Magnets
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Chalice Picture for Magnet Magnetic strips or magnetic sheets Clean metal or plastic lids, approximately two inches in diameter — one for each participant Crayons and/or markers, scissors (including left-handed scissors), craft glue, and…
Closing
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Invite everyone to gather in a circle and hold hands….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Love Surrounds Us

Think about the participants in the session today. What did they learn? Do they understand how far back our religion goes in history? Are there participants who need more assistance in crafts? Reflect on your effectiveness in presenting this week.
Faith In Action: Partner Church Project
From Love Surrounds Us

Materials for Activity Information about your congregation’s Partner Church, including contact information Preparation for Activity Contact your partner church as a representative of the faith development program. Ask if your group could help them raise funds for a special project….
Alternate Activity 1: What's in a Name?
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Find out about your congregation’s use of the names of historical figures. There may be rooms in your congregational building named after local or national figures, or your congregation itself may have been named after someone….
Alternate Activity 2: Finger Play
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the list of people in the Description of Activity so you will be comfortable sharing the pronunciations and descriptions with the group….
Alternate Activity 3: Heart Ribbon Magnet
From Love Surrounds Us

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Felt hearts mounted on felt squares and magnets, assembled in Session 2, Alternate Activity 1 A roll of 1/8-inch green ribbon Extra felt, magnets, and ribbon (red, orange, and yellow) for new participants, plus glue, sharp scissors, and permanent…
Taking It Home: Love Surrounds Us in Our History
From Love Surrounds Us

This argument is solid and weighty, but it is neither reasonable nor convincing. Not all the stones in Boston…shall shut my mouth. — Rev. John Murray, father of American Universalism, on the occasion of a rock thrown at him while he preached IN TODAY’S SESSION… participants learned about the…
Nathaniel Takes a Ride
From Love Surrounds Us

Hundreds of years ago, when America was still a very new country, Unitarianism and Universalism were also very new. They were actually two separate religions. By itself, Universalism was a loving and accepting religion. Universalists believed that God loved everyone and did not punish people. In…
Handout 1: Chalice Picture for Magnet
From Love Surrounds Us

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Love Surrounds Us

Unitarian Universalist History Books on Unitarian Universalist history include Unitarian Universalism, a Narrative History by David E. Bumbaugh (Meadville Lombard Press, 2000); This Day in Unitarian Universalist History by Frank Schulman (Skinner House, 2004); The Larger Faith: A Short History of…