Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Conundrum Corner poster/banner An empty plate Chalice and matches Recording of "Amazing Grace" and music player Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Nametags and markers Optional: Decorative cloth for Conundrum Corner Preparation for...

From John Murray, Letters and Sketches of Sermons, (Boston, 1812), as quoted in David B. Parke's book, The Epic of Unitarianism.John Murray, a Methodist preacher from England, is often credited with being the founding father of Universalism in America....

Long ago in Japan, a samurai—a warrior of those ancient times—went to visit a monk named Hakuin. The samurai was elaborately dressed in armor, and by his side swung a gleaming, sharp sword. He was a big, proud fellow, used to getting whatever he wanted. "Hakuin!" The samurai bellowed at the...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A recording of Susan Werner's song, "(why is your) heaven so small" from her CD The Gospel Truth (2007, Sleeve Dog Records), and a music player Preparation for Activity Download or obtain the MP3 file or CD, and test the music player....

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Decide how to divide the youth into skit groups. Description of Activity Ask participants to act out their ideas of heaven and hell. Say they should divide into two teams (or three or four if your numbers are large) and talk about how to act out...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 7, Origen of Alexandria Handout 2, Excerpt from De Principiis Preparation for Activity Become familiar with the contents of Leader Resource 7, Origen of Alexandria. Make copies of Handout 2, Excerpt from De Principiis....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Description of Activity Invite participants to create a group covenant to guide them in their work. Ask the group to work together to construct a group covenant. Inform participants that a covenant is a promise, an...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 6, Paradise Is Ours Handout 1, Paradise in the Psalms Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 6, Paradise Is Ours and prepare to present its contents. Copy Handout 1, Paradise in the Psalms....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two signs on newsprint, one saying NONE OR NEARLY NONE and the other saying AS MUCH AS THEY WANT Optional: Painter's tape or tacks to attach the signs Preparation for Activity Hang or place one sign on one wall and the other sign on the opposite wall.

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 5, Life-Changing Beliefs Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 5, Life-Changing Beliefs and prepare to present its contents. Write these questions on separate sheets of newsprint, and set...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two dice (extra large, if possible) of different colors Ethics Play role nametags Ethics Play Scenarios (Session 1, Leader Resources 2-7) Optional: Masks, costumes, and wigs for roles Preparation for Activity If you are or your group is new to Ethi...

Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Cardboard sword in Conundrum Corner (see Opening) Story 1, "Heaven and Hell" Preparation for Activity Read through the story "Heaven and Hell" Photocopy Story 1, "Heaven and Hell," one for each participant. Description of Activity Youth react to a...

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, We Are Universalists Leader Resource 4, Photos of Early 1900s Universalists in North Carolina Bowl or basket Workshop 1, Handout 2, Time Line of UU History Optional: Computer and digital projector Preparation for Activity Print o...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper, two sheets for each youth Oil pastels Cleanup supplies Music player and recordings of background music Optional: Tacks, painter's tape, or other supplies needed to display completed paintings Preparation for Activity Gather supplies ...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 2, Universal Salvation to Universalism Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 2, Universal Salvation to Universalism and become familiar with its contents....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "John Murray and the Deacon" Leader Resource 1, John Murray, Portrait Optional: Computer and digital projector Optional: Hand-held or wireless microphones Preparation for Activity Copy the story "John Murray and the Deacon" for all...

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home, one for each participant Preparation for Activity Create a handout from Taking It Home that is specific to the activities used in this session. Description of Activity Briefly summarize what you have done in this session....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Taking It Home Optional: Faith in Action from this workshop and/or Spiritual Preparation from Workshop 11...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Any material your group needs for continuing Faith in Action projects Twenty-five small sticks, wooden craft sticks, or pencils Preparation for Activity Collect and bring in any information that may be helpful to the gro...

Description of Activity If the group has not yet begun this activity, read Workshop 9, Faith in Action and plan to introduce it to the group.