No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you. — Althea Gibson, 20th-century African American tennis champion

This session explores the ways the bonds of relationships are crucial in times of self-doubt. When members of our family are struggling with insecurity, we offer support, care and love. This can be as simple as offering a hug when a sibling is feeling sad. It can be as involved as going to our child's school to advocate for extra help when they need it. We sacrifice our time and comfort in order to support others.

Our Unitarian Universalist values call on us to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person. This begins with those closest to us. The source for this session derives from the wisdom of the world's second largest religion, Islam. The story is about how the prophet Mohamed, the founder of Islam, was afraid of the first revelations he received from Allah. Mohamed's first wife, Khadija, was steadfast in her support of him and her trust in Allah. It was her trust, people believe, that helped give Mohamed the courage to fulfill his calling and bring Islam to the people of world.

Participants will be asked to envision this story from Khadija's perspective. This will encourage them to consider what it means to support someone who is feeling insecure and afraid.

The Faith in Action activity creates an opportunity for the group to offer their collective support. This will take research and consultation with your minister and religious educator to identify members of the congregation or a group within the congregation who need support, or if there is a cause the children can lead the congregation in supporting.

Goals

This session will:

• Promote being a source of support to members of our family and our friends, and explore the challenges of being a supporter
• Create a sense of trust among the Windows and Mirrors group
• Guide participants to identify ways they support people they care about in their lives
• Affirm two of our Principles; the first, respect for the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and the second, justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Hear a story from the Muslim faith about how the support of Mohamed's wife, Khadija, was crucial to his acceptance of his calling
• Experience and process a trust walk—a physical exploration of giving and receiving support
• Develop empathy by imagining what it must have been like for Khadija, the wife of Mohamed, to be his first supporter.