This reflection on Transformation is part of a collection entitled, "Theological Reflection on Shared Values" by Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud’homme. In 2024, Unitarian Universalists adopted six shared values, centered around love, as a guiding expression of their faith.

This reflection on Justice is part of a collection entitled, "Theological Reflection on Shared Values" by Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud’homme. In 2024, Unitarian Universalists adopted six shared values, centered around love, as a guiding expression of their faith.

This reflection on Pluralism is part of a collection entitled, "Theological Reflection on Shared Values" by Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud’homme. In 2024, Unitarian Universalists adopted six shared values, centered around love, as a guiding expression of their faith.

Rev. Dr. Sheri Prud’homme reflects on the interplay of Unitarian Universalism’s theological heritage and the shared values from the proposed revision of Article II and offers ideas as a beginning to further conversation among UUs.

Parameters: in person groups of more than 3. Have everyone write down something they need to hear right now. Have everyone crumple up their pieces of paper and throw them around the room at each other. Invite each person to open some up and read them aloud or pass them to someone else to read.

Parameters: can be done individually or as a group, in person or virtually. If sharing out, create smaller groups depending on the comfort level of participants. Think of a time in the past when you felt lost. From your wise self, write a blessing or prayer for your younger self.

Parameters: can be done individually or as a group. This is a self care metaphor. The teacup is our body or capacity. The tea is our energy or input. What's on the saucer is our output, what we have to give others. This metaphor suggests we need a full cup of energy and can give from the overflow!

Parameters: Best for groups of 5-8 people who come together more than once (ex: 2x during an overnighter, weekly on Sundays, etc.) This goes by many names in Unitarian Universalist communities: chalice circles, touch groups, gaggle groups, touch base groups, and care groups are but a few.

Parameters: Two or more people. Can be played in person or in breakout rooms online. Take turns attempting to describe a predetermined part of their lives—their room, name, family, etc. without words.

Parameters: Two or more people. Have each person in the group come up with two facts and one falsehood about themselves. Go around the circle and have each person present the three statements as if they are all true. Then have each member of the group guess which of the three statements is false.

Parameters: More than 2 people. If there are more than 10 in your group, form small groups, in person or virtually. Ask who consents to potentially be Mx. Whosit. The lead secretly chooses another person in the group to be Mx. Whosit. Each person tries to find out who the lead is thinking of.

Parameters: More then 2 people. If there are more than 10 in your group, form small groups of 5 to 10 people. Can be done in person or virtually. Ask each member of the group to write a fact about their life that others in the group may not know. Let the group try to guess whom each fact describes.

As Unitarian Universalists recently affirmed seven Shared Values that define our faith, this series explored each one, using a podcast episode from a diverse list of pods as the "text" to generate thought, discussion and learning together.