Workshop 14: Building Cultural Competencies

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

Our schools and the social environment in this country have not prepared us to be competent dealing with race and multiculturalism. This is unfinished business in America, in the UUA, and in our congregations. — Paula Cole Jones This workshop introduces the concept and provides a definition of…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 15 Activity 1: Re-entry and Check-in 25 Activity 2: What Will We Be and For Whom? 25 Activity 3: Multicultural Competence 20 Activity 4: Identity Map 25 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Multicultural Competence in Action 60…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

If your group has taken a significant break since Workshop 13, call and/or email each participant to remind them the group is reconvening. Appreciate their gifts and their commitment to this program and to the congregation….
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: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Participant evaluations from previous workshop List of this workshop’s Goals…
Activity 1: Re-entry and Check-in
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of the story “Russell” Timepiece (seconds) Preparation for Activity Prepare to read the story “Russell” to the group….
Activity 2: What Will We Be and For Whom?
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Workshop 13, Handout 1, What Will We Be and For Whom? Preparation for Activity Make a few copies of the handout for those who do not bring it. Description of Activity Lead a discussion of Kat Liu’s essay, using these questions: What aspects of…
Activity 3: Multicultural Competence
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Multicultural Competence Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute the handout and invite participants to read it along with you. Read the definition aloud, but do not spend a great…
Activity 4: Identity Map
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Cummings’ Identity Map Pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 2 for participants. Description of Activity Introduce this activity with these or similar words: Part of being a culturally competent person is understanding one’s…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Taking It Home A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: What ideas were most interesting or challenging to you?…
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: Multicultural Competence in Action
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Movie clips, no longer than four minutes each Computer or DVD player (or video player) and monitor or projector Handout 3, Multicultural Competence Worksheet Preparation for Activity Make two copies of Handout 3 for all participants. Select scenes…
Taking It Home: Building Cultural Competencies
From Building the World We Dream About

Our schools and the social environment in this country have not prepared us to be competent dealing with race and multiculturalism. This is unfinished business in America, in the UUA, and in our congregations. — Paula Cole Jones Notice in your own life where you participate—or could…
Russell

Jose Ballester

From Building the World We Dream About

Russell was an amateur geologist, paleontologist, and professional teacher. He took his young charges on an overnight field trip. Sitting around the campfire he brought out a bag, took out five rocks, and held up a round, grapefruit-size rock….
Handout 1: Multicultural Competence
From Building the World We Dream About

The definition is by Pope-Davis, Reynolds, Dings, and Ottavi (1994). Modifications for the UUA made by Paula Cole Jones to include multicultural competence in institutional change….
Handout 2: Cummings' Identity Map
From Building the World We Dream About

From a 2008 dissertation, “An Educational Model of Pastoral Care to Support Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Unitarian Universalist Congregations,” by Rev. Dr. Monica Cummings. It was adapted from P. A….
Handout 3: Multicultural Competence Worksheet
From Building the World We Dream About

Competency Comments Can listen and behave without imposing your own values and assumptions on others. Carries an attitude of respect when approaching people of different cultures, which entails engagement in a process of self-reflection and self-critique; has the ability to move beyond own biases.
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 14: Building Cultural Competencies

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