(Humankind) ...has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall... (and) ...will end by destroying the earth. — Albert Schweitzer __________________________________________________________ We need to develop a sense of gratitude so deep that we are willing to consider our every action—large or...

Whether implicitly or explicitly, much of radical political thought falls within established patterns of either utopian or apocalyptic thought. Utopian thinkers believe a better society can be created in a particular place and time....

Brook Farm is probably the best known of the three utopian communities started by Unitarians or Universalists in the mid 19th century....

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper, at least 12x18 inches, for all participants Pens, pencils, crayons, and markers Timepiece (minutes) A bell or chime Preparation for Activity Assure there is ample table space for each person to draw....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, Environmentalism Quotes Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 1 and cut the five quotes apart. Arrange for five volunteers to read the quotes aloud....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Brook Farm" Preparation for Activity Read the story and arrange with three or four volunteers to read it aloud to the group. Assign each volunteer a section of the story and give all the volunteers a copy of the story in advance....

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism Preparation for Activity Read Handout 1 and copy it for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism. Allow participants a few...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table and chalice Participant journals Writing materials, including paper, pens, pencils, color pencils, and markers Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Customize the Taking It Home section of this workshop and copy...

Description of Activity Home schooling is gaining popularity in some Unitarian Universalist communities. It could be argued that the home school movement is a type of utopian movement. Do you agree with this? If so, why? Do you home school? Does someone else in your congregation? Organize a...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Timepiece (minutes) Chime or bell Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook, for all participants Optional: Cloth for worship/centering table...

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use), and bold markers Copies of Workshop 1, Handout 1, Schedule Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Have copies of Workshop 1, Handout 1, Schedule on hand for those who need one....

Unitarianism first developed as an institutional movement during the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Transylvania and Poland, the countries where Unitarianism initially appeared, were far from the power centers of both the Catholic Church and the Magisterial, or mainstream, Reformation. It was...

Unitarian roots in North America stretch back to Puritan New England. Many of the original Puritan congregations, the oldest Protestant churches in the United States, are now Unitarian Universalist communities....

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the Earl Morse Wilbur words quoted in the activity description. Discuss with your co-facilitator the ways you find these values are-and are not-the dominant values in our faith tradition. Description of Activity Read aloud these words of the...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "The Cambridge Platform" Preparation for Activity Read the story "The Cambridge Platform" and copy it for all participants....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Socinianism Preparation for Activity Read Handout 1 and copy for all participants. Optional: Prearrange with a volunteer to read Handout 1 aloud....

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint: "Power is the ability for individuals and groups to achieve purpose." Leave ample room for additional writing on the newsprint, and set aside. On a second sheet of newsprint,...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table and chalice Participant journals Writing materials, including paper, pens, pencils, color pencils, and markers Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Customize the Taking It Home section of this workshop and copy...

Materials for Activity Participant journals Writing materials, including paper, pens, pencils, color pencils, and markers Description of Activity Invite participants to consider power in their congregation, using these or similar words: Remembering the definition of power-the ability to achieve...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Time piece (minutes) Chime or bell Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook, for all participants Optional: Cloth for worship/centering table...