Signs of Our Faith

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

By Jessica York

Rev. Peter Morales asks us to think about religion as the practice of being faithful to what you love. In order to do this, you must decide what you love and do your best to live that love faithfully every day. Signs of Our Faith guides children to do their best to live faithful lives every day. It presents fourteen traits or values that most Unitarian Universalist love, including the quest for knowledge, reverence for life, supporting one another on our faith journeys, and public witness. Children examine how their lives do and can exhibit these traits and values, and come to understand that their faith is a living faith whose histories and teachings are fortifications for living faithfully in a complex world.

Acknowledgments
From Signs of Our Faith

A special acknowledgment to Aisha Hauser, who co-authored two sessions in this program. Thanks to Pat Kahn, UUA Children’s and Families’ Program Director, for helpful suggestions and feedback. Thanks to Michelle Bishop, Religious Education Assistant at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of…
Introduction
From Signs of Our Faith

The Program …if religion is ultimately about what we love, then “faith” is not so much about what we think is true (or hope is true, despite lack of evidence), but about being faithful to what we love.— Peter Morales, President, Unitarian Universalist Association (2009 — ) Rev. Morales asks…
Program Structure
From Signs of Our Faith

The program includes an Introduction and 16 sessions. The sessions build as units: Unit 1 (Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4) — Looking for Signs in Me Unit 2 (Sessions 5, 6, 7, and 8) — Looking for Signs in My Relationships Unit 3 (Sessions 9, 10, 11, and 12) — Looking for Signs in the Congregation…
Materials
From Signs of Our Faith

Few special or unique materials are called for in the sessions, except the stoles (see “Before You Start”). Because much of the program concerns the rituals of the congregation, it is suggested in several activities that you share with the group photos, videos, and other mementos of…
Leader Guidelines
From Signs of Our Faith

Read each session ahead of time and plan with your co-leader. Be organized enough to be flexible. Read stories through at least once so your storytelling has a good flow. Tapestry of Faith programs are designed for adaptation to your congregational needs. Use Alternate Activities to replace core…
Implementation
From Signs of Our Faith

Leadership in Action Use Alternate Activities to extend session time, add sessions, or replace core activities to better suit the group. Signs of Our Faith includes a special series of Alternate Activities called Leadership in Action (LIA). These are presented as Alternate Activities because they…
Before You Start
From Signs of Our Faith

Rituals In every session, a ritual associated with the session theme is highlighted. Some of the rituals may be alien to your congregation. If a described ritual is conducted in your congregation in a different way, replace the text with an accurate description….
Resources
From Signs of Our Faith

Here are few books that might be useful. The first two are available from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. The Gift of Faith: Tending the Spiritual Lives of Children by Jeanne Harrison Nieuwejaar Second Edition (Boston: Skinner House Books, 2003) Welcoming Children with Special Needs: A…
Facilitator Feedback Form
From Signs of Our Faith

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 Signs of Our Faith

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….
Principles and Sources
From Signs of Our Faith

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles:Sources:…
Session 1: Signs, Symbols, and Rituals
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 2: We Lead
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 3: Our Faith Is a Journey
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 4: Seeking Knowledge
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 5: We Revere Life
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 6: Signs of Caring
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 7: We Share
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 8: Memorial Rituals
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 9: Looking for Signs of Community
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 10: Signs of Welcome
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 11: Worshipping Together
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 12: Stewardship Is a Sign
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 13: Finding Beauty in Uniqueness
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 14: Fair Group Decisions
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 15: Witness for Justice: Public Signs of Our UU Values
From Signs of Our Faith
Session 16: Signs of Faithful Leadership
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Stories in Signs of Our Faith
From Signs of Our Faith
Handouts in Signs of Our Faith
From Signs of Our Faith
Leader Resources in Signs of Our Faith
From Signs of Our Faith