Today's elementary level children continued their exploration of our 4th UU Source: "Jewish and Christian teachings which tell us to love all others as we love ourselves." The children recalled that the last time we considered that source, we heard a story from the Christian Bible (New Testament) about how Jesus compared God's love to a mustard seed. In today's session we heard a story by Rabbi Marc Gellman from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) based on Jacob and Rachel, highlighting the importance of questioning gender stereotypes and accepting people for who they are.
While we may wish to believe that the damage of gender bias belongs to the past, there is still much to be learned about gender identity. We talked about gender as a feature of identity we find on a continuum, rather than a rigid male/female dichotomy. The children arranged a wide variety of pictures of toys, sports equipment and clothing along a continuum of BOYS and GIRLS. A thoughtful discussion emerged of their own personal preferences regardless of societal bias. We also talked about how gender stereotyping can hurt everyone - the person whose behavior does not fit it, as well as people whose behavior does seem to fit. And finally, we talked about how stereotyping and gender bias can prevent people from giving and receiving the love and acceptance we all deserve.
The middle school youth were challenged with a Quest based on the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream for a better world. In today's session participants explored the specific dreams of outstanding UUs; and expressed personal dreams for change.
Through a series of stories focusing on outstanding UUs, we discovered the lives and dreams of UUs such as Tim Berners-Lee (creator of the World Wide Web); Susan B. Anthony (women's rights activist); Pete Seager (folk singer and social justice activist); Albert Schweitzer (world humanitarian); Paul Newman (philanthropist); James Reeb (civil rights activist) and others.
To focus on personal dreams, participants listened to a guided meditation and added symbols of their personal dreams to their mirrorboards.
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