Alternate Activity 2: Shaping Unitarian Universalism
Part of A Place of Wholeness
Activity time: 25 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Sculpting clay or dough, one large ball or container for each participant
- A clean table surface
Description of Activity
This activity is a tangible expression of what Unitarian Universalism means to participants.
Gather the group around a table and give each participant a ball of clay/dough. Invite them to knead it around in their hands for a minute to soften, stretch, and shape it. Then ask them to split it into three separate balls. Tell them that during this activity they will be shaping their clay to represent their understanding of Unitarian Universalism.
Invite them to take one of the balls of clay, reflect on our Unitarian Universalism roots, then create a visual and tangible representation. Give them four minutes to work. After four minutes, invite participants to share what they created. Have everyone put their sculptures in the center of the table.
Next, invite the group to take the second ball of clay and think about what Unitarian Universalism looks like now. Ask them: If someone asked you to explain Unitarian Universalism using this ball of clay, what would you make? Give them four minutes to work. After four minutes, invite participants to share what they created. Have everyone put their sculptures in a ring around the first set of sculptures.
Lastly, invite the group to take the third ball of clay and envision where they want Unitarian Universalism to go in the future. Ask them: What is your vision for Unitarian Universalism and how will you be its "wings?" Give them four minutes to work. After four minutes, invite participants to share what they created. Have everyone put their sculptures in another ring around the first and second sets of sculptures.
Invite youth to share about their sculptures.