Session 6: Thinking of Death Part of Riddle and Mystery In This Section Introduction From Riddle and Mystery The question is not whether we will die but how we have lived. — Joan Borysenko, psychologist Big Question: What happens when we die? In one sense, all... Session-at-a-Glance From Riddle and Mystery Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Who Believes What? 10 Activity 2: Story — Reflections by Forrest Church 7 Activity 3: WCUU — Visit to UUville 15... Spiritual Preparation From Riddle and Mystery With everything for the session set to go, carve out a meditative moment for yourself. Relax. Take several deep breaths.... Opening From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound... Activity 1: Who Believes What? From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Matching Belief Systems and Statements Leader Resource 2, Belief Systems and Stateme... Activity 2: Story - Reflections by Forrest Church From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "Reflections by Forrest Church" Preparation for Activity Review and print out the... Activity 3: WCUU - Visit to UUville From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Microphone(s), video camera(s) and tripod(s), real or simulated For studio set Backdrop made in Session... Activity 4: WIT Time - Memorial Ritual From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape For Part 1: Candles and matches or a substitute; (optional) a large tray... Closing From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Bell, tingsha chimes or other sound... Leader Reflection and Planning From Riddle and Mystery Meet with co-leaders after the session to reflect on how it went. How was your mix of discussion and action? How comfortable did youth seem when sharing... Faith In Action: Capital Punishment From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Leader Resource 5, Capital Punishment Resolution and/or Leader Resource 6,... Alternate Activity 1: Notable Thoughts From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Bag or box containing participants' Big Questions notebooks (see Session 1, Alternate Activity 1, Notabl... Alternate Activity 2: Song - In Sweet Fields of Autumn and Nearer, My God, to Thee From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Copy(ies) of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: A recording of t... Alternate Activity 3: Challenge Question From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Optional: Write the challenge question on... Alternate Activity 4: A Science Report From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Prepare to tell youth about attempts scientists have made to find out what happens when we die.... Alternate Activity 5: Death and Your Congregation From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Orders of service for funerals or memorials recently held in your congregation Obituaries or newspaper... Alternate Activity 6: Another WIT Time - About Death From Riddle and Mystery Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, What I Think Paper, envelopes that can be sealed and pens/pencils for all participants... Taking It Home: Thinking of Death From Riddle and Mystery The question is not whether we will die but how we have lived. — Joan Borysenko, psychologist Talk about the quote. What does it mean to you?... Reflections by Forrest Church Forrest Church From Riddle and Mystery Based on excerpts, adapted with permission, from Love and Death: My Journey through the Valley of the Shadow by Forrest Church (Beacon Press, 2008). Handout 1: Today's Big Question From Riddle and Mystery 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 announcing the... Handout 2: What I Think From Riddle and Mystery Here are some ideas about death. Use check marks to show whether you agree or disagree. Remember—this is a private page. You can share it with others if... Leader Resource 1: Matching Belief Systems and Statements From Riddle and Mystery Unitarian Universalism — We agree that after physical death, a person lives on through the people who have known them and the deeds they have done. We... Leader Resource 2: Belief Systems and Statements - Leader Key From Riddle and Mystery Unitarian Universalism — We all can have different ideas about an afterlife, whether it exists, and what it might be like. We agree that after physical... Leader Resource 3: WCUU Script - A Visit to UUville From Riddle and Mystery To the Anchor: In today's WCUU broadcast, Roving Reporter wanders around UUville and asks citizens what they believe happens when we die. Your job is to... Leader Resource 4: Memo to Citizens of UUville From Riddle and Mystery The WCUU script includes short speaking parts for four UUville Citizens. You will need to decide exactly what to say when the Roving Reporter interviews... Leader Resource 5: Capital Punishment Resolution From Riddle and Mystery Find this 1961 UUA General Resolution text online. Leader Resource 6: Capital Punishment Resolution - Simplified From Riddle and Mystery Paraphrased from the 1961 UUA General Resolution.All our laws must respect human life. Our laws and courts should help criminals, not hurt or kill them. Find Out More From Riddle and Mystery Talking with Children about Death About Death: A Unitarian Universalist Book for Kids.... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Riddle and Mystery NEXT: Introduction Download all of Riddle and Mystery (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.