A few months ago, a friend asked me for some ideas on sharing our faith in fun, creative ways. She was looking especially for ways to include the children. I know that many of our congregations hold "game nights" when people of all ages come together to share a meal and then play board and card games in mixed groupings. I think this is great, and it certainly builds community, but it does not further our understanding of who we are as Unitarian Universalists.

One activity I enjoy is to have the folks get in a large circle and count off by sevens. Then each group is given one of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in secret and told to create a skit that depicts the principle. Give the groups time to get to know each other, to talk about what the principle means, and then to have fun planning. It is nice to have art materials and maybe even some simple costume stuff for them to work with.

At the end of the time (30 to 45 minutes), ask them to again form the circle. Each group takes turns going into the center and performing their skit. Don’t go in order, but do provide each group leader with a list of all seven so they have an idea of their options as they begin to guess. Be sure to include loud applause for all at the end!

Another idea is to create the "perfect church." Again, divide into smaller groups. Each group of five or six is given a large piece of newsprint and an assortment of markers. Ask each individual to draw a room in the church that would fit his or her needs. Hopefully, you would have a teen drawing an ideal youth room, a child drawing his or her space, and maybe an adult working on the dream kitchen or memorial garden. After all have done some work on their spaces, ask them to find a way to join all spaces into a community center or "church."

When the drawing is finished (probably 30 minutes would do) have the entire group walk from one drawing to the next. Each person has a chance to describe his or her "place," then all take turns talking about the shared space.

A good ending to a Unitarian Universalist event like this is to pick a favorite closing song and make up signs to go along with the words. Better yet, find someone who has studied American Sign Language and ask her or him to teach the correct signs!