Riddle and Mystery

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

By Richard S. Kimball

The purpose of Riddle and Mystery is to assist sixth Graders in their own search for understanding. Each of the 16 sessions introduces and processes a Big Question. The first three echo Paul Gauguin’s famous triptych: Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? The next ten, including Does God exist? and What happens when you die?, could be found on almost anyone’s list of basic life inquiries. The final three are increasingly Unitarian Universalist: Can we ever solve life’s mystery? How can I know what to believe? What does Unitarian Universalism mean to me?

Acknowledgments
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We gratefully acknowledge use of the following material: “Where Do We Come From?” (Session 1) is taken from “Where Do We Come From?” by Brian Tate, as included in the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Singing the Journey: A Supplement to Singing the Living Tradition. Copyright 1999 by…
Introduction
From Riddle and Mystery

The Program I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it. — Harry Emerson Fosdick A curriculum about the “big questions” must begin with an inquiry: How often do you find yourself asking big questions?
Program Structure
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All sessions follow the same structure. Each revolves thematically around a single Big Question….
Leader Guidelines for Riddle and Mystery
From Tapestry of Faith

Here are some suggestions to help you build and lead a successful program: Engage youth the moment they walk through the door, and help them shed outside concerns so they may focus on your program. Suggested welcoming activities will help you do that….
Implementation
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Every congregation has its own approach to structuring religious education. You can implement Riddle and Mystery with any model your congregation uses. For example, you might need to offer it to an age group wider than sixth graders in order to assure a group of reasonable size….
Before You Start
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As soon as your program is scheduled, prepare a calendar with the dates for each session. Look through the entire curriculum to get an idea of how it moves and which parts you wish to use. Look for activities, especially Faith in Action activities, which need assistance from other adults in your…
Resources
From Riddle and Mystery

Quiet Music Use soft guitar or other instrumental music to open sessions and as background during craft activities. Find recordings of specific Unitarian Universalist interest at inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. Avoid loud, bouncy music that may energize youth instead of helping them settle.
Principles and Sources
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Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and responsible search for tru…
Facilitator Feedback Form
From Riddle and Mystery

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 Riddle and Mystery

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….
Session 1: The Big Questions
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Session 2: Religion to the Rescue
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Session 3: Looking Toward Tomorrow
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Session 4: Thinking of God
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Session 5: Out of Nothing
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Session 6: Thinking of Death
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Session 7: Stuff Happens
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Session 8: Speaking of Fair
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Session 9: Right and Wrong
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Session 10: To Tell the Truth
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Session 11: Touching All
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Session 12: The Future and Me
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Session 13: Oh My Soul
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Session 14: Life as Mystery
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Session 15: What to Believe
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Session 16: UU Me
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Stories in Riddle and Mystery
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Handouts in Riddle and Mystery
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Leader Resources in Riddle and Mystery
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