Workshop 1: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part One

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building the World We Dream About

In This Section

Introduction
From Building the World We Dream About

What is true is that for Unitarian Universalism to move into a vibrant future, we will need to mine our past for stories of resistance to oppression, stories of openness to new ways of being religious, stories of transformation that have built new understandings into our narrative of who we are….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Welcome and Introductions 20 Activity 2: Why Is This Important? 10 Activity 3: Making a Covenant 10 Activity 4: Outsider Experiences 15 Activity 5: Learning from the Other Within — Theater of Voices 30 Activity 6: Paired and Large…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

As you prepare to lead the first workshop, reflect on what in your life’s journey has led you to this moment. Why is Building the World We Dream About important to you? Share your experiences and reasons with your co-leader….
Welcoming and Entering
From Building the World We Dream About

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) and bold markers Optional: Music and player Optional: Snacks and beverages Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle and set out name tags and markers on a table….
Opening
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Leader Resource 1, Telling Preparation for Activity Practice reading Leader Resource 1, Telling, aloud….
Activity 1: Welcome and Introductions
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: An object that can be passed around as each participant speaks Description of Activity Invite participants to share a story that is often told about them by family or friends….
Activity 2: Why Is This Important?
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: Why is it important for a congregation to be welcoming of different racial and ethnic groups? Review the list of possible responses to the question so you will be…
Activity 3: Making a Covenant
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Guidelines That Promote Multicultural Dialogue Preparation for Activity Send Handout 1 to all participants in advance of the first workshop and make copies to have on hand. Post newsprint. Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1.
Activity 4: Outsider Experiences
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Journal for all participants Pens and pencils Preparation for Activity Ask participants to bring a journal and writing instrument to the workshop. Or, purchase a journal or notebook for all participants. Write on newsprint, and post: What was the…
Activity 5: Learning from the Other Within - Theater of Voices
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Affirming Experiences and Marginalizing Experiences Music (two different selections) and music player Preparation for Activity Work with your co-facilitator to select and arrange material, following the instructions in Leader…
Activity 6: Paired and Large Group Discussion
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: Which voice do you identify with? Which voice makes you want to say, “I am exactly that” or “I’ve done/said that”?…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Newsprint, markers, and tape Taking It Home A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist Association hymnbook Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: What do you hope to gain from…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building the World We Dream About

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What didn’t? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Do we need to make changes in the way we work together?
Alternate Activity 1: Community Practices - Gift Basket
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Draw a large gift basket on a piece of newsprint and post….
Taking It Home: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part One
From Building the World We Dream About

What is true is that for Unitarian Universalism to move into a vibrant future, we will need to mine our past for stories of resistance to oppression, stories of openness to new ways of being religious, stories of transformation that have built new understandings into our narrative of who we are….
Handout 1: Guidelines That Promote Multicultural Dialogue
From Building the World We Dream About

These suggestions are intended to slow down the flurry of assumptions that can come into play when we talk about the stories and truths that shape our lives. Following these guidelines together can help every participant fully engage with others and grow from our interactions….
Leader Resource 1: Telling
From Building the World We Dream About

“Telling” is used with the permission of Laura Hershey. For more information about Laura’s poetry and other writing, go to her website.
Leader Resource 2: Affirming Experiences and Marginalizing Experiences
From Building the World We Dream About

This resource includes several first-person narratives from Unitarian Universalists describing experiences with race in their congregations. Introduce these voices and experiences using a Theater of Voices technique….
Find Out More
From Building the World We Dream About

The UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff group offers resources, curricula, trainings, and tools to help Unitarian Universalist congregations and leaders engage in the work of antiracism, antioppression, and multiculturalism. Visit…

Download all of Building the World We Dream About (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part One

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