Tapestry of Faith: Riddle and Mystery: A Program on the Big Questions for Grade 6

Faith In Action: Reacting to the News

Materials for Activity

  • Newsprint, markers and tape
  • Local newspapers and (optional) congregational newsletters

Preparation for Activity

  • Gather recent local newspapers and (optional) congregational newsletters or announcements of social action needs and projects. Mark some stories that might invite youth involvement.

Description of Activity

Remind the group that one way Unitarian Universalists respond to bad things is to try to make the situation better, for the present and the future. Faith in Action is an opportunity to do just that.

If the group has begun an ongoing Faith in Action project, continue work on it.

Or, consider this short-term Faith in Action project:

Reacting to the News. Ask youth to review local newspapers, identify bad news stories about economic injustice or other problems, and choose one that offers a way to help local people and causes.

Distribute copies of a local newspaper for the group to review. Give them a few minutes to look for stories that suggest Faith in Action projects. Perhaps there has been a fire whose victims could use help replacing what they have lost. Maybe an animal shelter needs volunteers or supplies.

Invite suggestions for group action and record the ideas on newsprint. When you have a good list, stop the brainstorming, and lead a discussion.

Help the group make a realistic plan to offer assistance to mitigate a bad event. Will the youth need to ask their families for help? What about others in the congregation? Just what will they ask for and when will they do it? Can they bring answers to the group's next meeting? Does the group need more information? Who will try to get that in the days ahead?

Record the names of participants and leaders who will follow through with specific actions. To conclude, ask the group if their plan is a good response to questions about why bad things happen. Note that one of the benefits of a community, like a congregation, is that many hands can share the work and get more done.

Including All Participants

Guide the group to choose projects in which all members can participate.