Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Heeding the Call: A Program on Justicemaking for Junior High School Youth

Opening

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle and lighter, or LED/battery-operated candle
  • Chalice table
  • Newsprint, markers and tape
  • Leader Resource 1, Justice Quotes

Preparation for Activity

  • Place a cloth and/or other decorations on the chalice table.
  • Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post.
  • Cut apart the quotes in Leader Resource 1 and put them on the chalice table.

Description of Activity

Gather the group in a circle. Explain that each workshop will begin with a chalice lighting and an opportunity for silent reflection. Light the chalice, or invite a participant to do so, and recruit a volunteer to read the chalice lighting words:

As the illumination of this chalice starts with a single spark, so may our journey toward justice-making be sparked by our thoughts and deeds today and our time together in the upcoming days.

Ask the group to reflect silently on the words. End the silence with "So be it," or other appropriate words.

Welcome youth to Heeding the Call. Introduce yourself and your co-leader and then invite all participants to introduce themselves. After introductions, say, in your own words:

In these workshops, we will focus on social justice and ways to heed the call for greater justice in our world for everyone. As Unitarian Universalists, we inherit a strong tradition of doing good works. You have been hearing about social justice and serving the community for years, in this congregation, and in your school and family. What words or images come to mind when you think about heeding the call for social justice?

Take responses from the group. Point out the slips of papers on the chalice table. Tell participants that these are what some other people have said about justice. Invite youth to pick out and read as many as time allows. Ask participants which quotes resonant with them and why.