Workshop 2: Where Do We Come From? Unitarian Universalist Roots

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of The New UU

In This Section

Introduction
From The New UU

Universalists are often asked where they stand. The only true answer to give to this question is that we do not stand at all, we move. — Lewis Beals Fisher, late 19th-century Universalist theologian The workshop offers a brief overview of Unitarian Universalist history, focusing on ideas and…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From The New UU

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: My History with Faith Communities 15 Activity 2: Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match 25 Activity 3: Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History 25 Activity 4: A Story of Our Congregation 20 Closing 3 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From The New UU

Consider your own history with Unitarian Universalism and your congregation. What changes have you witnessed in theology, focus, worship style, and social action? What changes have you been part of? What aspects of Unitarian Universalist history most attract you? What disturbs you in our history?
Welcoming and Entering
From The New UU

Materials for Activity Name tags, durable or single use Bold markers Paper and pen/pencil for sign-up sheet Small table Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity If you have not already done so, create a sign-up sheet with columns for name, address, phone, and email information and place it…
Opening
From The New UU

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, for all participants Chalice, candle, and lighter, or an LED battery-operated candle Appropriate stand or small table for the chalice Cloth or decorative covering for chali…
Activity 1: My History with Faith Communities
From The New UU

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Think about your own history with faith communities so you can model a response to the introductory question. Write these questions on newsprint, and post: What congregations or other faith…
Activity 2: Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match
From The New UU

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match Leader Resource 1, Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match Answers Pencils or pens Preparation for Activity Make copies of Handout 1, Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match….
Activity 3: Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History
From The New UU

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History” Preparation for Activity Copy the story “Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History” for facilitators and participants. Read and review the story….
Activity 4: A Story of Our Congregation
From The New UU

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Memorabilia related to the story Preparation for Activity With your co-facilitator(s), identify a core story of your congregation. The story should reflect something significant about your congregation….
Closing
From The New UU

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition for all participants Preparation for Activity Determine whether you will sing the song or do the reading. If you will sing, decide whether to find an accompanist or if you can lead the song. Description of…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From The New UU

Review with your co-facilitator(s) how each activity went. What worked well? What might you do differently another time? Review the Parking Lot questions. Did you answer the ones you intended to in this workshop? If not, when will you answer them?…
Alternate Activity 1: Timeline
From The New UU

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match Leader Resource 1, Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match Answers A copy of the story, “Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History” Mural paper and tape Markers, at least 4…
Themes in North American Unitarian Universalist History
From The New UU

Read the story aloud, and ask the questions as they come up to encourage interaction and deeper thinking about the concepts. Or, if you are familiar enough with the ideas, tell the story in your own words, being sure to emphasize the four themes: freedom of thought, or noncreedalism; on-going…
Handout 1: Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match
From The New UU

A. William Ellery Channing …
Leader Resource 1: Famous Unitarian Universalists Mix and Match Answers
From The New UU

Provide these answers during large-group discussion after small groups complete the matching exercise in Activity 2. Dates are provided for use with Alternate Activity 1. A. William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) ix….
Find Out More About UU Historical Personalities
From The New UU

Learn about well known UUs in history from the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography developed by the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society and other sources.

Download all of The New UU (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 2: Where Do We Come From? Unitarian Universalist Roots

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