Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Gather the Spirit: A Multigenerational Program about Stewardship

Activity 2: Story - The Clearwater

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Familiarize yourself with the story.

Description of Activity

Tell the group that Pete Seeger is a Unitarian Universalist who has said he attends a Unitarian Universalist congregation partly because he likes to sing there. He is a powerful voice for justice in our world, and an example of how we can be stewards to the world's water resources and have a good time doing it.

Read or tell the story. Lead a discussion to process the story with questions and ideas like these:

  • Why did Pete Seeger and his friends decide to act?
  • What did they accomplish?
  • What makes some people try to be good stewards while other people don't act as if they care?
  • People sometimes say they feel "called" to act in a certain way. What do you think that means?
  • Do you feel called to do anything?
  • What about stewardship of water resources?
  • Suppose you do not feel called to take care of the Earth and its waters? Do you still believe it is a good idea? How will you do it?

Leader notes to share as appropriate: The concept of "being called" can be difficult for young people to grasp-perhaps because it sounds so much like being called to the dinner table or the phone. Some people might say that being called to something serious such as social action or becoming a minister is having a feeling deep inside that a certain action must be taken. And some people might explain being called in a religious or spiritual way. Ask the group what they think being "called" means and discuss as necessary.