Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: What We Choose: An Adult Program on Ethics for Unitarian Universalists

Alternate Activity 2: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

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Part of What We Choose: Ethics for Unitarian Universalists

Activity time: 20 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Prepare to read the story "Frances Ellen Watkins Harper" to the group, or ask a participant to read it and, if possible, give the participant the story ahead of time.
  • Write on newsprint, and post:
    • Where can we identify the cultivation of virtue in the life of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper? What caused her to take action and create change?
    • Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was a Unitarian. How was the cultivation of virtue congruent with her Unitarian faith?
    • In our faith today what messages do you receive about living a virtuous life? (Consider our Principles, hymns, sermons, or social justice movements.)
    • What virtues do you cultivate in your life? How?
    • On what roots do you draw to support your actions? Family? Faith community or tradition? Broader community? Other roots?

Description of Activity

Share the story, "Frances Ellen Watkins Harper." Lead a discussion guided by the posted questions.