Download LEGO ValUUes (PDF, 102 pgs) for 17 weeks of Article II learning for grades 1-5.

The author, Kathy E. Smith, CRE, (she/her) has been a professional religious educator since 2006. She currently serves as Director of Family Ministries for the Unitarian Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She previously served as religious educator for congregations in Fort Worth and Plano, Texas, and as Coordinator of Youth Activities for the Joseph Priestley District. She frequently writes curricula for her congregation and is delighted to share this LEGO® ValUUes curriculum with the broader denomination.

We sing our theology... In other words, singing is faith formation for everyone of every age.

As we consider the work of the Article II Commission and the proposal to organize the affirmation of our living faith into seven values, we can turn to our hymns to see how those are reflected in the songs we already sing together. It is true that some of the songs in Singing the Living Tradition (STLT) and Singing the Journey (STJ) may feel out of date or antiquated. Many new songs have been written since STJ was published in 2005, and many more will be written to reflect the faith we are growing and living into. Yet many of the hymns collected in those two hymnals are still fresh, alive, and reflective of the core values of our faith.

How to Use This Resource

• Use in worship services that reflect on the values outlined by the commission

• Use as musical breaks/a time of meditation in Article II discussion groups

• Use as “hymn of the month”

• Use in discussion groups about our hymns and how they reflect our theology

• Use in faith formation/lifespan faith development classes

• Add them to playlists that you listen to in the car, in your home, etc.

See video "Proposed Changes, Article II" and story "I Am Love" for additional resources to consider (suggested or written by same religious professional).

This worshipful but fully interactive talk seeks to invoke curiosity about the proposed A2, inviting listeners to see the proposal as a natural and logical embodiment of our long-term commitment to re-see UU for today and the next generation. Thus, the proposed A2 does not "throw out" the 7 principles, but extends and deepens how we articulate what it means to be UU.

Service Description: As Unitarian Universalists, we honor the change of our earthly seasons. Now, we recognize a different turning — a fresh season within Unitarian Universalism itself. For only the second time since our Association formed in 1961, we are re-seeing, re-appraising, and re-writing the statements of what it means to be UU. Bek Wheeler will introduce and share the UUA proposal to move from Principles and Sources to Values and Inspirations. As you contemplate these new envisionings, what speaks to you? What resonates? What perplexes? What inspires or invites you? Come, come, whoever you are! Share in this new season of discerning and owning Unitarian Universalism.

See accompanying A2 Amendment Process slideshow, linked in the Slideshows section.

A sermon preached at First UU Nashville which covers some info about A2 and our process, as well as the nature of prophecy, change, and what I see the values as able to do for us.

One of our central Unitarian Universalist values is love. The recent report by the UUA’s Article II Study Commission reaffirms this, putting love literally in the center of our shared values, and saying, “We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.” This morning we will explore the spiritual discipline of love.

See sermon "Article 2, What Does It Do" and story "I Am Love" in the stories section for an additional resource to consider (suggested or written by same religious professional).

PowerPoint slides explaining the amendment process for Article 2 -- see sermon "Cusp of a Moment (YouTube)" by the same author, for an additional resource to consider. This works best when downloaded and shown in PowerPoint.

Please use attribution if using the slide with the word cloud or the slide with my personal graphic at the end.

Our Youth Service this Sunday centered the Article 2 values, with youth exploring each value through images & stories from their lives. Grateful to Jil Novenski for the inspirational idea. Service Description: Change is uncomfortable and hard; it makes us feel vulnerable. Yet, Brené Brown tells us “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” Last month, Rev. Jennifer spoke about our living tradition turning more towards love, and our opportunity to embrace upcoming changes in our stated core UU theological values. Join our Youth as they “try on” the newly stated UU theological values in a service that explores the Article II proposed changes.

This picture book captures much of what the proposed change is trying to express, esp. as it shows all the different ways love is embodied through our actions. The child depicted is non-gender specific and is dressed in trans flag colors.

"I am sharing a document that shows how we conducted a conversation with 40 participants last weekend. I hope it's useful to some of you. We have 300 members. We are doing an online version next week and a group with diverse views is organizing to create some ideas for amendments. It was better than anticipated--the container held a wide range of view in a safe container and folks left feeling like they learned from each other and were listened to. My Committee on Shared Ministry ran the meeting and I was mostly an observer/listener. I thought some of you might find our slides also helpful. As always, use and adapt dear ones. If we can save each other time, we can save each other in other ways, too!"

"Showed elementary kids Article 2 graphic, then this graphic, Eevee The Pokemon (in her many iterations). I asked, "does this look kind of similar?" Eevee is always Eevee, even when she's Leafeon or Jolteon. Love is always love, but we can see Transformation and Generosity as kinds of Love; connected to each other, b/c love is the base form from which they evolve. One kid: 'Oh, I get it! Love is at the middle: the other words are things we do to make the love real!'"

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about love being at the center, with some finding it particularly meaningful and some finding it particularly meaningless. Recently Rev-Dan Schatz created word clouds by putting the whole hymnals’ texts into a generator. The heart-shaped one is the gray hymnal and the pentagon is the teal. And you see what emerged at the center?

"I created this for our Lifespan Program at 1st UUSD (San Diego). I print on 11x17 and magazine fold, but could be double-sided on 8.5x11 and stapled on the left."

Rev. Caitlin names as the guiding question for the curriculum: “How do our Unitarian Universalist Values challenge us - and what tools do they call and guide us to create, as we take on life’s challenges?”

The curriculum contains eight unique sessions: the first two are focused on "Love", and the following six explore each of the proposed values. Each session offers a variety of elements that can be adapted to meet your group’s specific learning and accessibility needs. The document also includes a four-part adaptation for a 24-hour overnight junior youth group retreat.

Learn more here

Sara adapted her original collaborative easter egg hunt for all ages into a larger curriculum to teach the Article II values over six sessions. Each session includes an engaging and unique activity designed for elementary-age children with literacy skills.

Download here (42 pgs, PDF)

This activity is inspired by the tradition of "trick or treating," but can be implemented in any season! It is an intergenerational activity that has opportunities for youth leadership. As children go searching door to door, they are greeted by different members of their community who will help teach them about the values through symbolic goodies.

Download Searching for Our Values (4 pages, PDF)

These simple group art projects have been a staple of Jenn Blosser’s work in religious education for children, youth, and adults since 2015. They consist of a large image which has been cut into (relatively) even square tiles. Participants work on coloring in the tiles individually, without knowing what the final image will be. Then, the tiles are assembled to reveal the completed image in all its mish-mash, colorful glory.

Collaborative art mosaics can be used in a worship service, as a community building activity, as a project in a religious education class, as a bonding activity at a leadership retreat, and more. Aside from whatever message the final image communicates, the process of coloring the tiles and assembling the mosaic is faith formation itself - teaching lessons about being a part of something larger than oneself.

This series of medium-sized mosaics was designed to enhance community discussion and learning about the Values and Covenants of Article II.

• Detailed Instructions (Word, 3 pages)

• Complete Coloring Book (PDF, 7 pages)

This workshop, led by the Rev. Dr. Michael Tino, invites participants to explore the history of and proposed changes to Article 2 of the UUA By-Laws, currently our Principles and Sources. Participants are given the option of pausing the video for group discussion at various points.

While the video is 37 minutes long, the workshop is intended to be done over 90 minutes to 2 hours.

All materials are offered free of charge.

Love at the Center Course Materials

Download the accompanying coloring book for a hands-on learning activity! (8 pages, PDF)

Created by QuianaDenae Perkins, Learning Resident in the UUA Mid-America Region and a third-year seminarian at Starr King School for the Ministry, Amplifying the Charge provides four themed sections: Who Am I? How Did We Get Here? What Keeps Us Here? and Where Are We Going? It guides congregants to explore each section of Amplifying the Charge together as participants engage in covenanted, small group ministry conversations, collective worship, or both.

Download Amplifying the Charge (PDF, 33 pages). Engage religious professionals, worship team, lay leaders, and others to integrate four weeks of worship resources and four weeks of small group ministry into your spring congregational calendar!

(Download PDF, 6 pgs)

This memorable tune can be used in worship, religious education, and more!

Download the official notation (PDF)

"We taught the song to our congregation during worship a few weeks ago, and several adults shared with us afterward that they found the concise and plain language of the song helpful in their own understanding of the new values/framework."

• Download sheet music (PDF)

• Download large sheet music (PDF, 3 pages)

Chorus

What makes you a true UU? Love at the core of what you do!

We commit to work as a team to make our values more than a dream.

JETPIG helps us keep in mind six values that UU's have defined.

Verse 1

Justice means we make things fair. We vote, speak up, and act with care.

Equity is when every one gets what they need for work and fun.

Transformation means we change, and we can still grow at every age.

Verse 2

Pluralism is how we say we know there's not just one right way.

Interdependence means we're connected so our Earth and its people are respected.

Generosity is the last: we can learn to share before we're asked.

(Download PDF, 32 pages)

The folder linked above contains a variety of flower-petal graphics with words as well as symbols for each of the A2 values, as well as individual images of each of the symbols.