Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Building Bridges: A World Religions Program for 8th-9th Grades

Activity 2: Story - Hearts, Heads, and Hands: A Humanist UU Congregation

Part of Building Bridges, Grades 8-9: A World Religions Program

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Read the story so you will be comfortable presenting it.

Description of Activity

Say, in these words or your own:

You may not be surprised to hear that many Unitarian Universalists and some UU congregations proudly identify as religious Humanists. Here's a story about one such congregation, First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Tell or read the story "Hearts, Heads, and Hands: A Humanist UU Congregation."

Then, help the group to explore the religious beliefs expressed and religious needs addressed by First Unitarian Society's social justice program.

  • What social justice and service projects happen in our UU congregation?
  • What beliefs and values motivate our congregation to take these actions?
  • What motivates you to help other people and make the world a better place?
  • Many faiths do service projects. Imagine one of the First Unitarian Society projects being done by an Evangelical Christian church, a Muslim mosque, or a Pagan coven. What religious beliefs might motivate them? Would any humanistic beliefs also be involved? How?