Tapestry of Faith: Faith Like a River: A Program on Unitarian Universalist History for Adults

Alternate Activity 1: Toribio S. Quimada

Activity time: 25 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • A copy of the story "Toribio S. Quimada"
  • Leader Resource 5, Maglipay Universalist
  • An object for meditation focus such as the chalice, a small piece of sculpture, or an object from nature
  • Optional: Universalist: A History of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines by Frederic John Muir

Preparation for Activity

  • Print out the story "Toribio S. Quimada" and prepare to present it to the group.
  • Copy Leader Resource 5, Maglipay Universalist. If you prefer to sing this hymn rather than read the words, the tune can be found in the book Universalist: A History of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines by Frederic John Muir. You can see a video of a congregation singing this hymn.
  • Arrange the chairs in a circle and set the focus object where all participants will be able to see it.

Description of Activity

Gather the group in the seating you have arranged and share the story, "Toribio S. Quimada." Then invite participants into a time of meditation, prayer, or contemplation. Ask them to settle comfortably into their seats, direct their focus to the object you have provided, and take a few deep, centering breaths.

Read aloud, from Leader Resource 5, the words of Maglipay Universalist written by the Reverend Toribio Quimada. After a minute of silence, ask participants to share a thought, a prayer, a hope or words of healing for the family and friends of Rev. Toribio Quimada. Allow a brief space for silence after the last words are offered, and then ask participants to broaden the spiritual circle of care and offer words for all the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, and for all the people they have helped. Following another brief silence, ask participants to again widen the spiritual circle to encompass all our brothers and sisters in faith. Finally ask the group to encompass the whole world, and especially to offer compassion and healing to those who are threatened by a message of love, those whose fear is so great that they would destroy people like Toribio Quimada. Allow a few moments of silence and close with the first two lines of Maglipay Universalist:

To teach the hope that is for all,

Proclaim the Universal call.