Workshop 2: The Call of Our Unitarian Universalist Heritage

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Heeding the Call, Jr. High Ages 12-15: Qualities Of A Justice Maker

In This Section

Introduction
From Heeding the Call

May your life preach more loudly than your lips. — William Ellery Channing This workshop explores our Unitarian Universalist history. Youth learn about the social justice actions of an African American Unitarian foremother who worked to bend the arc of the universe towards justice. Youth are…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Heeding the Call

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Basic Needs 15 Activity 2: Story — Frances Harper Bends the Arc 10 Activity 3:Justice Treasure Hunt 25 Faith in Action: Carrying On the Legacy Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: UU Justice Art 30…
Spiritual Preparation
From Heeding the Call

Reflect on your memories of Unitarian Universalism. Pay attention to any images that come to mind. What brought you into your current relationship with this liberal faith?…
Opening
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post. Description of Activity Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants….
Activity 1: Basic Needs
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Preparation for Activity Create a workshop copy of this tool by taping one copy of Handout 1 to poster board for display throughout the program. Description of Activity Youth define basic human needs.
Activity 2: Story - Frances Harper Bends the Arc
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story “Frances Harper Bends the Arc” Leader Resource 1, Frances Harper Photo Optional: Computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Read the story until you are comfortable presenting it. Optional: Make copies of the story for…
Activity 3: Justice Treasure Hunt
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Index cards and pencils Baskets or bags (1 per pair of youth) to collect treasures Description of Activity Youth will explore the congregation for signs of justice making. Ask participants if they think their congregation is actively involved in…
Closing
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Description of Activity Thank first-time guests for their contributions to the group. Gather youth in a circle and remind the group that they walk on religious ground that was cared for by those who went…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Heeding the Call

As religious educators working with youth in a Unitarian Universalist context, this workshop offered an opportunity to focus on Unitarian Universalists who have come before us. What was it like to help youth connect with Unitarian Universalist heritage?…
Faith In Action: Carrying On the Legacy
From Heeding the Call

Materials for Activity Assorted materials from youth’s community service or justice projects Permission slips Optional: Video camera or notepads and pens Preparation for Activity Decide as a group how you will structure the event and what you will do with the children’s reflections. Make…
Alternate Activity 1: UU Justice Art
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Various art materials Optional: Justicemakers Guide, if using Option 1 Description of Activity Youth express their justice commitments through art. Brainstorm a list of social justice causes that concern youth….
Taking It Home: The Call of Our Unitarian Universalist Heritage
From Heeding the Call

May your life preach more loudly than your lips. — William Ellery Channing In Today’s Workshop… We talked about the moral arc of the universe bending toward justice with our help and the help of those who came before us. Some of those were our Unitarian Universalist ancestors. We heard a story…
Frances Harper Bends the Arc

Jessica York

From Heeding the Call

Sometimes, freedom is a long time coming. It may take generations upon generations for justice to be won. Our Unitarian ancestor Reverend Theodore Parker said, “I do not pretend to understand the moral universe: the arc is a long one…
Handout 1: Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
From Heeding the Call

Based on the work of psychologist Abraham Maslow. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 1: Frances Harper Photo
From Heeding the Call

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Heeding the Call

Unitarian Universalism This Day in Unitarian Universalist History, by Frank Shulman (Boston: Skinner House, 2004) is packed with UU history. Another classic in UU history is Unitarian Universalism: A Narrative History, by David E. Bumbaugh (Chicago: Meadville Lombard Press, 2001). Frances Watkins…