Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Resistance and Transformation: An Adult Program on Unitarian Universalist Social Justice History

Opening

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Worship or centering table
  • Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle
  • Timepiece (minutes)
  • Chime or bell
  • Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook, for all participants
  • Optional: Cloth for worship/centering table
  • Optional: Microphone
  • Optional: Keyboard or piano

Preparation for Activity

  • Arrange the worship or centering table, including the chalice, so all participants can see it when they are seated.
  • Optional: Invite a musician to lead and/or accompany Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition, "Spirit of Life."

Description of Activity

Invite a participant to light the chalice while you lead a unison reading of Reading 449 from Singing the Living Tradition, "We hallow this time together by kindling the lamp of our heritage."

Lead the group in singing "Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade.

Explain that this workshop focuses on the women's movement in the late 20th century and how it was expressed in the culture of Unitarian Universalism. Tell the group they will examine the Women and Religion Resolution that General Assembly passed in 1977 and a case study from Arlington Street Church, where a women's consciousness raising group transformed itself through music into a tight-knit sisterhood of revolutionary thought and action. Invite participants to consider: Other than at worship services, are there places and times where you regularly sing aloud?

After a minute for reflection, invite participants to briefly share their responses.