Activity time: 8 minutes

Materials for Activity

• A copy of the story "Adin Ballou and the Hopedale Community"
• A chime, rain stick or other calming sound instrument
• Optional: Fidget object basket (Session 2, Leader Resource 2)

Preparation for Activity

• Read the story a few times. Think about how you might use items from the story basket as props.
• Consider telling the story rather than reading it. Practice telling it aloud.

Description of Activity

The story about Adin Ballou, an early Universalist minister who helped found the Hopedale Community as a place where members could attempt to live out the teachings of Jesus and their pacifist beliefs, exemplifies our sixth Unitarian Universalist Principle, the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

Before you begin, look around the room and make eye contact with each person. Read or tell the story.

Sound the chime instrument to indicate that the story is over.

When you have finished, guide a brief discussion with these questions:

• I wonder, why did Adin Ballou want to create a separate community to live in with his family?
• I wonder, what rules would you make if you lived in a community like Hopedale?
• What do you think the people at Hopedale Community discovered about how to live together in peace?
• I wonder, what ways can we live as peacemakers today?