Tapestry of Faith: Toolbox of Faith: A Program That Helps Children Discover the Uses of Faith

Spiritual Preparation

After you have read the story, "Eliza Tupper Wilkes: Riding for Faith, Hope, and Love," think about the convictions you hold in your own life and moments of courage that you have experienced, or avoided.

Find some time to sit in a quiet place, even if only a few minutes, and reflect on these issues in your own life. What are your convictions? What are your resources for the courage to stand up for what you believe? What would you or do you stand up for, even if it might be dangerous or inconvenient to do so?

Use these questions, if you find them helpful:

  • What beliefs do you hold strongly? What beliefs would you call your convictions?
  • What would you be willing to stand up for, even, perhaps, at your own peril?
  • How have you come to decide what convictions are most important to you?
  • What are the moments in your life when you have felt called to take a courageous stand, or to be courageous?
  • What are the moments in your life when you wish you could have been more courageous?
  • What resources do you find in your faith, and in your faith community, to support you in your courage and your convictions?
  • What resources in your faith and in your faith community do you wish could be strengthened, to support you better in your courage and your convictions?

Focus on the children who will be in the session today. What convictions do you hope a new generation of Unitarian Universalists will hold dear? What kinds of courageous actions would you wish for them to take? What resources do you wish them to have in their lives and in their faith community to support them in their courage and their convictions? Let your wishes for the group guide you in the session you are about to lead.