Session 1: The Big Questions

In This Section

• Introduction

  Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the...
• Session-at-a-Glance

  Activity Minutes Opening 10 Activity 1: Big Questions in Song 15 Activity 2: WIT Time — Our Own Answers 5 Activity 3: Interactive Story —...
• Spiritual Preparation

  With everything set to go, carve out a meditative moment for yourself. Relax. Take several deep breaths. Explore your understanding of...
• Opening

  Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument...
• Activity 1: Big Questions in Song

  Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Timepiece Singing the Journey ; the supplement to the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook...
• Activity 2: WIT Time - Our Own Answers

  Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Timepiece that shows seconds Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument Preparation...
• Activity 3: Interactive Story - Turtles

  Materials for Activity A copy of the story, " Turtles " Preparation for Activity Print out the story. Practice reading or telling it aloud...
• Activity 4: WCUU - First Broadcast

  Materials for Activity Microphone(s), video camera(s) and tripod(s), real or simulated For studio set Newsprint or a large roll of paper...
• Closing

  Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound instrument...
• Leader Reflection and Planning

  Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on it. How was your mix of discussion and action? Did you involve all youth fully...
• Faith In Action: Economic Justice

  Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1 , UU Principles and Sources Leader Resource 3 , Economic Justice Continuums Bell, tingsha chimes,...
• Alternate Activity 1: Notable Thoughts

  Materials for Activity Small notebooks for all participants Pencils/pens Masking tape A large bag or box to store notebooks Preparation for...
• Alternate Activity 2: Challenge Question

  Description of Activity Challenge questions guide a deeper inquiry for especially thoughtful individuals and groups. Remind the group of...
• Alternate Activity 3: Turtle Shell Art

  Materials for Activity Paper plates-two for each participant Narrow-tipped, washable markers in a variety of colors Stapler or tape...
• Alternate Activity 4: Questioning Fun

  Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Collections of riddles and other jokes involving questions, as well as UU...
• Alternate Activity 5: Corner Questions - Sorting Questions Out

  Materials for Activity Newsprint, and markers and tape Leader Resource 4 , Corner Questions Preparation for Activity Make four large signs...
• Taking It Home

  Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the...
• Turtles

  Adapted from an anecdote told in A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (Bantam, 1988), Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar by Thomas...
• Handout 1: Today's Big Question

  To the Kid for the Day: You have two jobs. The first is getting your group excited about hearing today's Big Question. The second is...
• Handout 2: Turtle Shell Art

  Here is how to do your Turtle Shell Art project: 1. Get two paper plates and drawing supplies like markers. 2. Think ahead to what your...
• Leader Resource 1: UU Principles and Sources

  Create a poster of the Unitarian Universalist Principles and another poster of the Unitarian Universalist Sources. There are seven...
• Leader Resource 2: WCUU Script

  To the Anchor: Today's WCUU program is a news report about Unitarian Universalist ideas on where we come from. Your job is to read your...
• Leader Resource 3: Economic Justice Continuums

  1. I believe one of the biggest questions people should ask is how to achieve economic justice in the world. 2. I think there is economic...
• Leader Resource 4: Corner Questions

  Should I go out for the soccer team this year? Why does the universe exist? Why does water boil when you heat it? What happens when you die...
• Find Out More

  Read "Home grown Unitarian Universalism," an article in UU World , Spring 2008 by William J. Doherty, for more ideas to extend this session...