Building Bridges

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

By Mary K. Isaacs

Building Bridges is a world religions program to deepen youth’s understanding of the dynamic, fascinating, and varied world in which they live. It seeks to broaden their knowledge of humanity and embolden their spiritual search.

Acknowledgments
From Building Bridges

Without an excellent editor, nothing worthy of print ever makes it to publication. Attentive, patient, and creative, Jessica York’s careful and tireless ministrations have greatly benefitted this work. Acknowledgment is also due loved ones, without whom this work could never have been undertaken:…
Introduction
From Building Bridges

The Program The responsibility for our lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone. — Humanist Manifesto III UU Humanists believe that religion is too important to be based on unprovable beliefs such as a belief in God. They wish to base the meaning of their lives on…
Program Structure
From Building Bridges

Each workshop focuses on one or more religions except Workshop 1, an introduction to the program, and Workshop 22, a conclusion. All workshops follow the same structure. An opening and a closing bracket each workshop meeting in ritual, establishing continuity and helping to define the religious…
Materials
From Building Bridges

Each activity includes a list of all materials needed for that activity. Have a poster of the Unitarian Universalist Association Principles and Sources for reference throughout the program. Create the Religions Time Line before the first workshop….
Leader Guidelines
From Building Bridges

Keep Your Sense of Humor While keeping a sense of humor is a good idea under most circumstances, it is especially valuable when working with youth. Keeping a sense of humor will help you maintain internal balance and diffuse any tension that might arise. Equally important, it will enable you to…
Implementation
From Building Bridges

Scheduling Planning and coordination are important to this program. Note that engagements (visits) are not included in the 90-minute workshop time. Schedule the placement of engagements, whether on Sundays or other days, as part of the flow of the program. Planning well in advance of engagement…
Before You Start
From Building Bridges

Before beginning the program, meet with the religious educator to learn of any special needs of participants and to coordinate this program with the goals and resources of the RE program. Learning about the faith identities of the youth’s families is recommended….
Facilitator Feedback Form
From Building Bridges

We welcome your critique of this program, as well as your suggestions. Thank you for your feedback! Your input improves programs for all of our congregations….
Participant Feedback Form
From Building Bridges

We welcome your critique of this program, as well as your suggestions. Thank you for your feedback! Your input improves programs for all of our congregations….
Workshop 1: Treasure Everywhere
From Building Bridges
Workshop 2: Unitarian Universalism: The Journey Starts at Home
From Building Bridges
Workshop 3: Indigenous Religions: The Earth Speaks
From Building Bridges
Workshop 4: Hinduism: One God, a Thousand Faces
From Building Bridges
Workshop 5: Judaism 1: The Birth of the Abrahamic Tradition
From Building Bridges
Workshop 6: Judaism 2: People of the Law
From Building Bridges
Workshop 7: Introduction to Eastern Religions
From Building Bridges
Workshop 8: Taoism
From Building Bridges
Workshop 9: Buddhism 1: Waking Up
From Building Bridges
Workshop 10: Buddhism 2: Right Living
From Building Bridges
Workshop 11: Christianity 1
From Building Bridges
Workshop 12: Christianity 2
From Building Bridges
Workshop 13: Islam 1: Peace by Surrender
From Building Bridges
Workshop 14: Islam 2: Contemporary Issues
From Building Bridges
Workshop 15: The 1800s: Five New Religions
From Building Bridges
Workshop 16: Evangelical Christianity
From Building Bridges
Workshop 17: The Quakers: Lamb and Lion
From Building Bridges
Workshop 18: Humanism: Just Us... And Everything Else
From Building Bridges
Workshop 19: Atheism and Agnosticism: Not in Temples Made with Hands
From Building Bridges
Workshop 20: Cults: Lose Your Will, Lose Your Soul
From Building Bridges
Workshop 21: Neo-Paganism: The Sacredness of Creation
From Building Bridges
Workshop 22: Wider and Stronger
From Building Bridges
Stories in Building Bridges
From Building Bridges
Handouts in Building Bridges
From Building Bridges
Leader Resources in Building Bridges
From Building Bridges