Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity An assortment of everyday items of different sizes and colors (for example: a set of keys, an aluminum can, a flashlight, a CD case, a bag of candy or chips) A large tray to hold the items A low table Preparation for Activity Display the everyday...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Filling the House" Preparation for Activity Read the story several times so you are comfortable sharing it. Description of Activity Tell or read the story. After the story, invite the group to be silent for a moment to think...

One optical illusion that challenges our notion of truth is a 1, 2, 3 Optical Illusions website, along with the Wavy Lines Illusion, the Gradient Illusion (two bars of the same color appear different, because of where they are placed), the famous image which is both two faces and a vase, and the...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Optical Illusions One-hole punch, yarn or hemp, and scissors Taking it Home Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 1 (or, gather the optical illusions you showed the group earlier in the session)....

Materials for Activity A video camera, tripod, and blank tapes for each team of three or four participants Optional: Hand-held microphones Preparation for Activity Arrange to use at least one video camera....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and matches or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Set up chalice....

Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Optical Illusions Optional: Additional optical illusions and images that change with a different perspective Preparation for Activity Print the images provided in Leader Resource 1. You may wish to make a few copies of each image, so all participants can...

Say not 'I have found the truth,' but rather 'I have found a truth.' — Khalil Gibran, from The Prophet Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition. We expect that what we find to be true may change over time as new life experiences shape our search. This session guides participants to "seek the...

Scenario A: You really want to play with a friend, who is only available for the next two hours. Your house rules are that you have to finish your homework before you are allowed to play. Scenario B: Two of your good friends are arguing....

Marissa's mom could tell there was something wrong the minute Marissa slunk in the door after school. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Nothing." "Come on," her mother coaxed, "I know you better than that. Sometimes it helps to talk about things." "I'll tell you what the problem is," blurted out Marissa.

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Optional: Scissors, including left-handed scissors Description of Activity In addition to building community through sharing information about important events in participants' lives, this version of sharing joys and concerns uses a...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Beads in silver, purple, and gold colors, one of each color for each participant Elastic thread, preferably black or silver; scissors Preparation for Activity Set out materials at work tables....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Hemp or silk cord Beads, large enough to string on hemp or silk cord Shallow containers for all participants to contain their beads Scissors Optional: Quiet music, and music player Preparation for Activity Cut hemp or silk cord into 18-inch...

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the meditation below so you understand the timing and will be ready to leave sufficient pauses for participants to fully experience meditation. Arrange to use a space that has a clean, preferably carpeted, floor where...

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Locate a space, preferably outdoors, where participants can walk briskly and safely, in a loose cluster, without touching one another. Description of Activity Begin the mediation in a space where there is room for the participants to move briskly...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Wisdom to Know the Difference Scenarios Preparation for Activity Review the three scenarios so you will be able to discuss them without continually referring to the page....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group....

The Serenity Prayer Hear an NPR interview with Elizabeth Sifton, the daughter of Reinhold Niebuhr, about the circumstances which led to Niebuhr's creation of the Serenity Prayer. In July/August 2008, the Yale Alumni Magazine published an article,...

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn't? What connections did we make with the participants? What connections did the participants make with each other? How was this evident? How could we...