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

Activity 2: Story - UUs in Action

Activity time: 12 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Read the story-five real stories of UU activism. Consider adding a true story of your own congregation's social justice work. Describe a youth, multi-age or adult action done by members of your congregation to protest or correct an unfair situation.
  • Optional: If you wish to engage multiple readers, print out additional copies. Do not put any youth on the spot to read aloud. If possible, select volunteer readers in advance, and provide them with their parts ahead of time.

Description of Activity

Presents five (or six, if you add one from your congregation) true stories about UU efforts to make the world a better, fairer place. Say:

Just about every Unitarian Universalist would agree that life is unfair. Most UUs would also agree that when life is unfair, we should do something about it if possible. That is because Unitarian Universalism is a humanistic religion, that means UUs believe in human agency. We think humans cause some situations to be unfair, and humans have the power to correct those situations. More than that, UUs say, we can help correct many unfair situations even when we ourselves do not cause them. Today's story shows how UUs in different congregations have worked to promote fairness and justice.

Read the stories aloud, pausing after each to process with these questions:

  • Do you know of any similar situations where UUs have been active? Have you helped with any such actions?
  • Was this a good way for UUs to act?
  • What do you think is Unitarian Universalist about this story? How does it show UU faith? Do you see any of our Principles in action?

Including All Participants

If you ask for volunteer youth readers, be sure to offer gentle assistance to any who struggle with the text.