What is a Mystery Pal?

In this fun intergenerational program, kids, youth and adults are matched in Mystery Pal pairs, with the goal of getting to know a little more about each other every week for a month until identities are revealed at the Mystery reveal party.  Adults, youth and kids who sign up to participate will choose a mystery nickname, fill out the questionnaire that can be found on the RE Table in the Sanctuary and decorate a mailbag. Pairs will exchange clues each Sunday for the month. (see the bottom of this page for some ideas).

How does it work?

Every Sunday before service, you will find the mailbag hung on the Library door in the Sanctuary, ready to accept letters and small homemade gifts* from both older and younger participants. After the service, participants can stealthily check their mailbags for that weeks’ clue. The event will culminate in a Mystery Pal Reveal Party when identities will be discovered!

*we ask that you spend no more than $5 over the course of the month on any gifts for your Mystery Pal

Who can participate?

Anyone under the age of 18 can be a “younger” buddy and anyone over 18 can be an “older” pal. All participants are asked to exchange at least a little clue each of the four weeks (either in person or by proxy—just let DLRE, Chris Jarman, know if you will miss a week).

Join in the fun!

Mystery Pal Clue Ideas

Not sure what to give to your Mystery Pal?  Check out the list below for some suggestions. Feel free to use any of these or your own creativity to craft clues to your identity. Remember that there will be four weeks of clues.

• a picture or photo of your pet (past or present) and a note about him or her
• a letter with some clues about yourself and what you like about Unitarian Universalism
• a picture or map of the town where you were born
• found objects like shells or pebbles and a little story about where or how you found them
• a postcard from a place you enjoyed visiting or living
• a word search with hidden words that describe you or your hobbies
• a list or picture of some of your favorite foods and maybe a simple recipe on how to make one of them
• a homemade cookie and a note about when or how you learned to make them, or maybe a story or picture about who taught you to bake
• a CD or Playlist of some of your favorite music
• a handmade bookmark with words or pictures about your favorite books or characters