In addition to these, create your own pairs from the discussions of your group in previous sessions. Where do we come from? From mystery and stardust. What are we? We are what we do. Where are we going? Toward goals we set for ourselves. Does God exist? Not on a throne in heaven. How did life begin?

Family Circle of friends People we know Organizations we belong to (bands, dance troupes, sports team, our congregation, neighborhood association, social justice group, etc.) Town State Country Continent Environment World Galaxy Universe Whatever is beyond the Universe (e.g., God/Mystery/Spirit)…

1. You are shopping for a new outfit in a large department store. One outfit is exactly the design, color and price you want. Another outfit is more expensive and a different design, but it has a belt that would look great on the first outfit….

1. The Golden Eggs A farmer and his wife had a goose that laid golden eggs. The first time it happened, they were angry. The egg was metal, not good to eat. Then the farmer and his wife said, “Hey, this looks like gold. Real gold.” They took it to a jeweler and found that it was real gold….

Parents A feeling deep inside you Your teachers Laws Money you get paid Friends Your happiness The government Schools Unitarian Universalism Your doctors Other peoples’ happiness Love Status in society The needs of the world…

Unitarian Universalism — We agree that after physical death, a person lives on through the people who have known them and the deeds they have done. We may hold different ideas about the nature or existence of an afterlife. Roman Catholicism — We believe people are judged when they die, based on…

Think of your small group as a detective agency and the following events as mysteries to be solved. Make up a story to explain what caused one of the mysteries numbered 1-5. Then, make up a story to explain mystery number 6. If you have more time, return to mysteries 1-5 and choose another to solve.

1. The human effect is more important than the butterfly effect. 2. Humans have more control over what happens tomorrow than God does. (Leader: If you agree with this statement, you may be a humanist….

Includes material from Why Do Bad Things Happen? by Charlene Brotman, Barbara Marsh, and Ann Field (Brotman Marsh-Field Curriculums, 1975)….

1. When you die, your soul lives on and goes to one of three places: Heaven, or Hell or Purgatory. This is the Roman Catholic belief. Purgatory is a nasty place where souls are purified until they are ready for heaven….

Hand a copy of this resource to your Kid for the Day at the appropriate time during your Opening. For the Kid for the Day: You have two jobs: The first is getting your group excited about hearing Today’s Big Question. The second is announcing the question. 1….

Create a poster of the Unitarian Universalist Principles and another poster of the Unitarian Universalist Sources. There are seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person Justice, equity and compassion in human…

To the Co-Anchors: Today’s WCUU program is a news report about Unitarian Universalist ideas on where we come from. Your job is to read your lines and keep the show moving as this script describes. [Director: Cue the station break.] [Director: Cue Co-Anchor 1.] Co-Anchor 1: This is WCUU, Wisdom of…

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program is a UU Kid’s dream. Your job is to follow the script, read your part, and otherwise keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you are alone, sitting or standing in front of a microphone. [Director: Cue the station break.] [Director: Cue the theme music….

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU broadcast explores UU answers to today’s Big Question: “Is life fair?” Several candidates will try out for the position of Dr. Phayre, a TV advice person who answers viewer questions on-air, from a UU point of view. The current Dr. Phayre, a WCUU celebrity, is now…

To the Anchor: In today’s WCUU program, everyone in Riddle and Mystery will be part of the show, forming a human chalice and sharing thoughts about being a Unitarian Universalist. Your job is to follow the script, read your part and otherwise keep things going. Before the show begins, make sure…

Some people ask if Unitarian Universalism is really a religion. The answer is “yes.” Unitarian Universalism is a community of people engaged in search for answers to big questions — religious questions. That is what a religion does….

Unitarian Universalism — We all can have different ideas about an afterlife, whether it exists, and what it might be like. We agree that after physical death, a person lives on through the people who have known them and the deeds they have done.(Our century-long Universalist heritage taught that…

In your small group, try to answer the following cat questions. Take notes if you like, but you need not write full answers. You will discuss your ideas when the small groups get together. Part 1. Somebody tells you, “There is a cat in a tree.” 1. How do you decide whether to believe that statement?

Liking Loving Taking care of (like the environment) Caring about (as with friends) Buying Selling Sharing Trading Listening Telling Enjoying Praying Playing with Working…

1. Dear Dr. Phayre, I saw a kid cheat on a test in my sixth grade class! The kid got an A, and I got a C, and THAT’S NOT FAIR! If I tell on the kid, everybody will hate me. What should I do? 2. Dear Dr. Phayre, I tried out for my sixth grade play last week….

Make a copy of this page with enlarged type. Cut the lines apart so they can be placed in various points of your meeting room. YOUR PARENTS YOUR MINISTER YOUR FRIENDS YOUR SCIENCE TEACHER YOUR OWN INNER SELF…

1. Where do we come from? Most Unitarian Universalists believe everything in our known universe comes out of the stardust created by a Big Bang. Our history from then to now can best by traced by science. Why there was a Big Bang, and why there is anything at all remains a mystery. 2. What are we?

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program talks about where Unitarian Universalists think we (the world and universe) should go. When the broadcast begins, you are alone on camera, sitting or standing in front of a microphone….

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program is a news report about Unitarian Universalist ideas on where we come from. Your job is to read your lines and keep the show moving as this script describes. [Director: Cue the station break.] [Director: Cue the Anchor.] Anchor: This is WCUU, Wisdom of the…

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program talks about a UU scientist’s attempt to have life named the greatest wonder of the world. Your job is to follow the script, read your part, and otherwise keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you are alone on camera, sitting or standing in front of a…

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU broadcast explores UU answers to today’s Big Question: “Why do bad things happen?” The script has three parts. In the first, a panel of four UUs share UU responses to the question….

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program features a guest panel of informed Unitarian Universalists answering questions from UU youth about what to do with their lives. Your job is to follow the script, read your part, and keep things moving. When the broadcast begins, you are facing the UU panelists.

To the Co-Anchors: Today’s WCUU program talks about how to tell right from wrong, and features an art show in which you will talk to artists about their brain art. Your job is to follow the script, read your parts and otherwise work together to keep things going….

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program is a report on UU ideas about soul. Your job is to follow the script, read your part, and otherwise keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you are alone, sitting or standing in front of a microphone. [Director: Cue the station break.] [Director: Cue the…

To the Co-Anchors: Today’s WCUU program talks about some different spiritual truths one might find under the Unitarian Universalist tent at an International Camp of Faith. Your job is to follow the script, read your parts, and otherwise keep things going….

You break your arm—the one you write with. A hurricane destroys the homes of 5,000 families in another part of the country. You had let go of your dog’s leash for one minute and now you can’t find your dog. A parent found all your hidden candy and threw it away. Fighting soldiers in a nation far…

1. I believe one of the biggest questions people should ask is how to achieve economic justice in the world. 2. I think there is economic justice in the world right now. 3. I believe it’s everybody for themselves. Everybody should work to get as much money as they possibly can and keep it for…

Make a copy of this page with enlarged type. Cut the terms and definitions apart so they can be given to (or pinned or taped on) each youth. Theist — Believes God exists Atheist — Believes God does not exist Agnostic — Says God might or might not exist Humanist — Says people’s…

WCUU Lifetime WCUU Press Pass Issued to: _______________________ Valid for the life of the bearer… and perhaps beyond. WCUU Wisdom of the Community of Unitarian Universalists This pass signifies the completion of participation in Riddle and Mystery. Moreover, it entitles the bearer to enter and…

First Reporter Here’s your story. Tell the WCUU audience about it in your own words. You traveled to visit Washington, DC, in 2008. You visited a big Unitarian Universalist congregation there, called All Souls, Unitarian. You wanted to know where the name came from. You found a large, impressive…

I was walking along the sidewalk minding my own business when I stepped on a wad of old chewing gum. My foot kept moving but my shoe … It’s funny how the whole thing started. It was just a little, tiny fly that landed right on … I can usually throw a ball pretty well, but that time I did…

Christian UU — You find spiritual truth in the UU Principles and many UU Sources. One of the most important sources of truth for you is teachings attributed to Jesus, found in Christian scripture. You believe Jesus was one of the most important teachers of truth who ever lived. Buddhist UU — You…

UU Parent You are a UU Parent on a WCUU panel helping young people decide what to do with their lives. Here are some ideas you may base your answers on. You can think of other ideas yourself. Know who you are and what you want. Make your family proud of you….

To the Anchor: In today’s WCUU broadcast, Roving Reporter wanders around UUville and asks citizens what they believe happens when we die. Your job is to follow the script, read your part and otherwise keep things going….

To the Anchor: Today’s WCUU program is a news feature about how a lost soul named Lost Soul finds happiness. Your job is to follow the script, read your part and otherwise keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you are alone, sitting or standing in front of a microphone. [Director: Cue the…

To the Co-Anchors: Today’s WCUU program features the UU entries in a Mystery Day Parade. Your job is to follow the script, read your parts and keep things going. When the broadcast begins, you have a microphone. The parade can be seen in the background. Co-Anchor 1: This is WCUU, Wisdom of the…

1. Is the theory of evolution the best way to explain how life began? Yes — No 2. I would rather study … Myths — Science 3. I think that something or someone had to start the whole process of evolution. Call it God, or call it Mystery or whatever, but whatever you call it, it had to be…

Should I go out for the soccer team this year? Why does the universe exist? Why does water boil when you heat it? What happens when you die? Why doesn’t so-and-so like me? Why do I look the way I do? Should I believe in God? What’s the best way to cut sandwiches? Side to side or corner to corner?

1.a. Your name is Jay. You are one of three finalists for the single scholarship that Super Summer Camp offers every year. You hear the camp is a great place and you really want to go. But you will not be able to unless you win the scholarship. What will make tomorrow a perfect day for you? What…

The WCUU script includes short speaking parts for four UUville Citizens. You will need to decide exactly what to say when the Roving Reporter interviews you. The paragraph about your role will help you get started….

Here are some UU ideas about mystery. Put the ideas into your own words and use them any way you like as you make a float or another contribution to the Mystery Day Parade. Mystery is fun and fascinating. The whys of life and death will never be completely known. So mystery grows out of both our…

You are in the audience at a WCUU panel discussion about how to decide what to do with your life. When the Anchor invites questions, ask anything you want. Use one of these, if nobody else has yet asked it, or make up your own. I am just a sixth grader….

To the Co-Anchors: Today’s WCUU program talks about the beliefs of different people gathered in the UU tent at an International Camp of Faith. Your job is to follow the script, read your parts, and otherwise keep things going….

Copy, divide, and distribute appropriate parts of this page to these Activity 4 On-Air People: Atheist, Theist, Agnostic, Humanist, Mystery Seeker, God as Love-ist, and Pagan. Atheist — You do not believe God exists.. You try to live by the UU Principles. You like searching through the UU Sources…

Find this 1961 UUA General Resolution text online….

Use these descriptions to prepare youth to role-play a prominent historical Unitarian Universalist on the WCUU advice panel (Activity 3). Susan B. Anthony You were a famous Unitarian who was born in 1820 and died in 1906. You fought hard for women’s rights—especially the right to vote. You never…

Put on your bifocals to read from the book of Genesis and you’re relying on the same laws of optics that astronomers use to tell us the universe could not possibly have been created the way the Good Book says. The irony would be delicious if it weren’t so dangerous. At least since the time of…

Paraphrased from the 1961 UUA General Resolution.All our laws must respect human life. Our laws and courts should help criminals, not hurt or kill them. Nobody can prove that capital punishment stops crime. If we make a mistake and put the wrong person to death, we cannot correct the mistake.