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Part of Heeding the Call, Jr. High Ages 12-15: Qualities Of A Justice Maker

In This Section

Introduction
From Heeding the Call

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace. — Helen Keller The third workshop asks youth to reflect on the importance of understanding and explores different ways to attempt to understand. The story is about a young man coming to understand...
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Heeding the Call

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Peace Begins with Me 10 Activity 2: Artists — Head to Toe 15 Activity 3: Abled and Less Abled 10 Activity 4: Nonviolent Communication 15 Faith in Action: Understanding Our Community Faith in Action: Are We Accessible? Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1:...
Spiritual Preparation
From Heeding the Call

Think about ways your understanding of the need for greater justice has developed throughout your life. Can you remember listening to people whose experiences have opened your eyes?...
Opening
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post. Description of Activity Welcome first-time participants....
Activity 1: Story - Peace Begins with Me
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story "Peace Begins with Me" Optional: Copies of Heifer International's World Ark magazine or printouts of stories from World Ark online Preparation for Activity Read the story until you are comfortable presenting it....
Activity 2: Artists - Head to Toe
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Mouth and Foot Paintings, or order prints onlineMouth and Foot Paintings Association. The quality will be better and you will help a worthwhile organization. You can order note cards, calendars, or prints. Prices range from 10...
Activity 3: Abled and Less Abled
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Pens or pencils Lined paper Description of Activity Youth reflect on the word "disabled." Ask youth what comes to mind when they hear the terms "disabled people" or "a disabled person." If there is a youth in the room wi...
Activity 4: Nonviolent Communication
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write this list on a sheet of newsprint: Observation, Feelings, Needs, Request Write these two sentences on a separate sheet of newsprint: 1. My sister is such a pig. 2....
Closing
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Description of Activity Invite youth to stand in a circle and go around saying one thing they will take with them from today's workshop. Thank first-time participants for their contributions to the group.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Heeding the Call

Talk with co-leader about the group dynamics. Are you starting to "understand" how the group works best? Discuss with your co-leader how the workshop went in terms of viewing abilities through a lens of "abled" versus "less abled." Were there moments of awkwardness in the discussion?...
Faith In Action: Understanding Our Community
From Heeding the Call

Materials for Activity Local newspapers Congregational bulletin Preparation for Activity Gather newspapers, bulletins, and other sources of social justice educational events. Colleges and civic organizations often schedule speakers, as do civic organizations. Speak to members of the justice...
Faith In Action 2: Are We Accessible?
From Heeding the Call

Materials for Activity Handout 1, Access Checklist for Meeting and Conference Planning Description of Activity Participants evaluate the accessibility of the congregation’s meeting space. Ask youth, “How accessible is our congregation?” Let youth share their observations. If further prompts...
Alternate Activity 1: Can You Guess Who I Am?
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Riddle Description of Activity The group hears a riddle about being different. Let youth know that the answer to this riddle is based on a story written by Robert May. Robert was just over 5 feet tall and as a child he was often...
Taking It Home: The Call for Understanding
From Heeding the Call

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace. — Helen Keller In Today's Workshop... We explored different ways to reach new understanding, including reading or hearing true-life accounts and communicating with non-violent or giraffe language....
Peace Begins with Me
From Heeding the Call

Adapted from an interview with Raziq Brown. Used by permission.At the age of 19, Raziq Brown was the recipient of the 2008 Mary-Ella Holst Young Activist Award given annually by the Unitarian Universalist Association. His activism has taken him around the world, but the initial sparks began within.
Handout 1: Access Checklist for Meeting and Conference Planning
From Heeding the Call

From the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregation’s Office of Multicultural Growth and Witness. 1. Have the meeting and lodging sites been evaluated by someone with knowledge of disabilities? 2. Physical Accommodations: handicapped parking (flat, close to major entrance)? ramped, flat...
Leader Resource 1: Mouth and Foot Paintings
From Heeding the Call

By the courtesy of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Worldwide. Used with permission.First painting by Tony Nguyen. Second painting by Onix Flores. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 2: Riddle
From Heeding the Call

There was something physically different about me. It was easy to see in the day and especially easy to see at night. Others would call me names and laugh at me. Then one foggy night the very thing about me that everyone laughed at was needed....
Find Out More
From Heeding the Call

Living with Disabilities Welcoming Children with Special Needs: A Guidebook for Faith Communities by Sally Patton (Boston: UUA, 2004) is a particularly useful resource for congregations. You can download a copy of the book from the UUA website....