Session 5: Out of Nothing

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Riddle and Mystery, 6th Grade

In This Section

Introduction
From Riddle and Mystery

Out of the stars in their flight, out of the dust of eternity, here have we come. — Robert T. Weston Big Question: How did life begin? Where are the youth who have never wondered why they exist, where life comes from, what lies beyond the first known causes? Session 4 applied faith and belief to…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Playing Detective 20 Activity 2: Story — A Garden Is Born (Evolution) 8 Activity 3: WCUU — Wonder of the World 17 Activity 4: WIT Time — Taking a Stand 7 Faith in Action: Planting New Life Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: Notable Thoughts 5 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Riddle and Mystery

With preparations complete, carve out a meditative moment for yourself. Relax. Take several deep breaths. Remember when, as child and youth, you searched the stars and clouds for clues to the source and meaning of life. Recall the awe your questions inspired, and recapture it now. Smile in the…
Opening
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument Handout 1, Today’s Big Question and (optional) a plain envelope “Today’s Big Question” sign Kid for the Day bag or box, card stock cut…
A Garden Is Born Evolution
From Riddle and Mystery

Where previously there had been nothing, now there was something. Within a black hole, a “singularity” developed. What’s a “singularity?” It’s an area in a black hole where the density is so great the pressure squeezes bits of finite matter into a piece of infinite matter. Do you understand that?
Activity 1: Playing Detective
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and pencils for small groups Leader Resource 1, Mysteries Timepiece A poster of the Unitarian Universalist Sources, or, copies of Session 1, Leader Resource 1 Optional: Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument Optional: Newsprin…
Activity 2: Story - A Garden Is Born (Evolution)
From Riddle and Mystery

Materials for Activity A copy of the story “A Garden Is Born (Evolution)” Preparation for Activity Read and print out the story. Description of Activity Gather the group and read or tell the story. At its conclusion, ask for reactions: How do you feel about the theory of evolution?…
Activity 3: WCUU - Wonder of the World
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 17 minutes Materials for Activity Microphone(s), video camera(s) and tripod(s), real or simulated For studio set Backdrop made in Session 1 Painter’s tape or masking tape Leader Resource 2, WCUU Script Paper for On-Air People’s name cards, markers and string or tape Timepiece A cop…
Activity 4: WIT Time - Taking a Stand
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Where I Stand on Life Preparation for Activity Review and print out Leader Resource 3….
Closing
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section and copy it for all participants….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Riddle and Mystery

Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on it. How was your mix of discussion and action? Do youth seem excited by science? Should you talk more about science in future sessions? Note that the Big Question for Session 6 is “What happens when you die?” Plan to reflect on your own…
Faith In Action: Planting New Life
From Riddle and Mystery

Materials for Activity Pots, potting soil and flower seeds for all participants or small, inexpensive, potted houseplants suitable for the congregation’s meeting space Additional gardening tools, such as watering cans and trowels, and supplies, including clean-up supplies Preparation for Activity…
Alternate Activity 1: Notable Thoughts
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Bag or box containing participants’ Big Questions notebooks (see Session 1, Alternate Activity 1, Notable Thoughts) Blank notebooks for new participants Pencils or pens Masking tape Preparation for Activity Retrieve participants’ Big Questions…
Alternate Activity 2: Song - Life Is the Greatest Gift of All
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copy(ies) of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: A recording of the song, and a music player Preparation for Activity Decide how best to present the song “Life Is the Greatest Gift of All,” Hymn 331 in Singing …
Alternate Activity 3: Challenge Question
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Optional: Write the challenge question on newsprint, and post. Optional: Browse the Internet and see what you find to share. Description of Activity Challenge questions guide a deeper…
Alternate Activity 4: Wonder Art
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Scratch-Art paper, and scratch tools such as toothpicks (round is better) for all participants A copy of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Living Tradition Optional: Large sheets of black construction paper and pastel or chalk crayon…
Alternate Activity 5: Great Story Stuff
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Material from The Great Story website, or a computer with Internet connection Preparation for Activity Explore the website. Familiarize yourself with its descriptions of life’s origin and evolution. Select material to share with the youth….
Alternate Activity 6: The Awakening Universe
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity DVD, The Awakening Universe, and DVD player/monitor Preparation for Activity Obtain and test equipment to show a DVD. Preview the 15-minute DVD. Consider showing it from where the screen is visually empty and the narrator says “Imagine nothing.”…
Alternate Activity 7: Personal Timelines
From Riddle and Mystery

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Oval wooden beads large enough for youth to write on and string for all participants Paper and pencils for all participants Scissors (including left-handed scissors) and fine-point permanent markers to share Optional: Trays or bowls to hold beads o…
Taking It Home: Out of Nothing
From Riddle and Mystery

Out of the stars in their flight, out of the dust of eternity, here have we come. — Robert T. Weston Talk about the quote. When you think about how life began, do you go all the way back to the stars?…
Handout 1: Today's Big Question
From Riddle and Mystery

To the Kid for the Day: You have two jobs. The first is getting your group excited about hearing today’s Big Question. The second is announcing the question. 1. Say to the group, “Give me a drum roll!” Then wait for a minute while the drum roll builds….
Leader Resource 1: Mysteries
From Riddle and Mystery

Think of your small group as a detective agency and the following events as mysteries to be solved. Make up a story to explain what caused one of the mysteries numbered 1-5. Then, make up a story to explain mystery number 6. If you have more time, return to mysteries 1-5 and choose another to solve.
Leader Resource 2: WCUU Script
From Riddle and Mystery

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program talks about a UU scientist’s attempt to have life named the greatest wonder of the world. Your job is to follow the script, read your part, and otherwise keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you are alone on camera, sitting or standing in front of a…
Leader Resource 3: Where I Stand on Life
From Riddle and Mystery

1. Is the theory of evolution the best way to explain how life began? Yes — No 2. I would rather study … Myths — Science 3. I think that something or someone had to start the whole process of evolution. Call it God, or call it Mystery or whatever, but whatever you call it, it had to be…
Find Out More
From Riddle and Mystery

Cosmology The National Aeronautics and Space Administration offers an introduction to cosmology with in-depth yet accessible information on the Big Bang, the beginning of life and other topics. The PBS program NOVA”Our Universe” with information on the beginnings of the universe and of life….

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 5: Out of Nothing

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