Workshop 16: Practicing Multicultural Competency

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

Wherever I go this year, leaders are telling me stories of what their congregations are doing to address issues of race and class. From film series to book groups to newly formed congregational task forces to deal with issues of oppression, the actions of UU congregations tell me that the 2006…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Moving toward Multicultural Competence 15 Activity 2: Challenges of Building Multicultural Communities 20 Activity 3: Developing Multicultural Competence through Skits 65 Closing 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

As you prepare to guide participants in developing multicultural consciousness and practices, remember that your congregation has entrusted you with leadership of this program not only to foster the participants’ spiritual growth. The goal of this program is to encourage the entire congregation’s…
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: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Participant evaluations from previous workshop List of this workshop’s Goals Covenant established in Workshop 1 Preparation for Activity Review participant…
Activity 1: Moving toward Multicultural Competence
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Path toward a Multiracial, Multicultural Congregation Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1, Path toward a Multiracial, Multicultural Congregation for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute the handout. Invite comments,…
Activity 2: Challenges of Building Multicultural Communities
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Bridge Poem Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, The Bridge Poem and practice reading it aloud. Or, recruit a volunteer to read the poem aloud and give it to them so they can practice….
Activity 3: Developing Multicultural Competence through Skits
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 65 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Reflection group assignments (Workshop 2) Workshop 14, Handout 3, Multicultural Competence Worksheet Handout 2, Procedure for Creating a Skit Preparation for Activity Copy the Multicultural Competence Worksheet (Worksho…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper, pens, and pencils Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: What are you learning? What are you curious about? What powerful ideas, concerns, puzzlements do you want the facilitators to know about?…
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 any changes in the way we work together?
Taking It Home: Practicing Multicultural Competency
From Building the World We Dream About

Wherever I go this year, leaders are telling me stories of what their congregations are doing to address issues of race and class. From film series to book groups to newly formed congregational task forces to deal with issues of oppression, the actions of UU congregations tell me that the 2006…
Handout 1: Path toward a Multiracial, Multicultural Congregation
From Building the World We Dream About

Participate in Cross-Cultural or Multicultural Conversations Create opportunities to learn about and engage others in conversations across differences. Live Multiculturally Be aware and competent in talking about racial, ethnic, or cultural differences. Create policies and practices to guide your…
Handout 2: Procedure for Creating Your Skit
From Building the World We Dream About

Choose a timekeeper to keep the group on task. You will have 20 minutes to create your skit Invite each person in your small reflection group to share a personal experience where the multicultural skill or practice was absent or well done. Limit yourselves to a brief, one-minute story. Choose the…
Leader Resource 1: The Bridge Poem

Donna Kate Rushin

From Building the World We Dream About

“The Bridge Poem” from The Black Back-Ups: Poetry by Kate Rushin (Ann Arbor, MI: Firebrand Books, 1993). Permission pending. I’ve had enough. I’m sick of seeing and touching both side of things. Sick of being the damn bridge for everybody. Nobody can talk to anybody without me. Right?…
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…

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Workshop 16: Practicing Multicultural Competency

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