Workshop 6: Connection

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Principled Commitment: A Program for Unitarian Universalist Couples

In This Section

Introduction
From Principled Commitment

Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect … — E.M. Forster, early-twentieth-century British novelist A healthy, satisfying relationship…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Principled Commitment

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering Opening 10 Activity 1: Check-in 10 Activity 2: The Art of Connection 20 Activity 3: Connecting from the Heart 35 Activity 4: Strengthening Your Social Web 20 Activity 5: Finding Your Thread in the Interdependent Web 15 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Faith…
Spiritual Preparation
From Principled Commitment

Consider the guiding Principle for this workshop, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” and the workshop’s focus on connection. Take some time to reflect on ways you connect with others in physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual ways….
Welcoming and Entering
From Principled Commitment

Materials for Activity Name tags Markers Sign-in sheet Pen or pencil An agenda of this workshop’s activities on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation) Optional: Computer, digital projector, and screen Optional: Copies of workshop series schedule Preparation for Activity Using the…
Opening
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Matches or lighter Singing the Living Tradition hymnbook (at least one copy) Leader Resource 1: Order of Service — Connection Preparation for Activity Prepare t…
Activity 1: Check-in
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Invite participants to take turns briefly sharing insights they have had since the previous workshop on generosity. Ask whether couples have noticed anything new about the way they relate to each other. If desired, you can move this activity along…
Activity 2: The Art Of Connection
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper Pens, pencils, crayons, and/or markers Tables or hard surfaces for drawing Preparation for Activity Set up tables, or find books or other hard surfaces for drawing. Arrange chairs so that couples can sit together and draw….
Activity 3: Connecting From The Heart
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint sheet with prepared questions (see Preparation) Easel Clock, watch, or timer Optional: Music and music player (see Preparation) Preparation for Activity Write the following questions on a sheet of newsprint: What can I do to help you feel…
Activity 4: Strengthening Your Social Web
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint Easel Markers Newsprint sheet with prepared questions (see Preparation) Preparation for Activity Write the following questions on a sheet of newsprint: What bonds do you have with others?…
Activity 5: Finding Your Thread In The Interdependent Web
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A large ball of thick yarn (at least eight yards of length per participant) Scissors (at least one pair) Preparation for Activity If you have a skein of yarn, roll it into a ball. Description of Activity Invite participants to form a circle….
Closing
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of customized Taking It Home handout (see Preparation) Preparation for Activity Review the Taking It Home section of this workshop and decide which “Affection Connection” options you will encourage participants to do. Download the Taking It…
Alternate Activity 1: Faith In Action - Social Justice
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint sheet with prepared list of questions (see Preparation) Easel Writing paper (at least one sheet per person) Pens or pencils Tables or hard surfaces for writing Preparation for Activity Write the following questions on a sheet of newsprint…
Alternate Activity 2: Four Dimensions Of Connection
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint Easel Markers Low-stick masking tape Writing paper (at least one sheet per person) Pens or pencils Description of Activity Ask participants to recall the opening meditation, in which they envisioned themselves connecting with their partners.
Taking It Home: Connection
From Principled Commitment

Affection Connection — Connection Remaining physically and emotionally connected can be a challenge when a relationship includes conflicting demands on each partner’s time and attention. It is not uncommon for couples to end a week feeling as though they’ve hardly seen each other, let alone…
Leader Resource 1: Order Of Service - Connection
From Principled Commitment

Follow this Order of Service as you lead the opening of Workshop 6, Connection. Welcome Chalice Lighting Principle Guided Meditation Reading Welcome Welcome participants. Explain that this workshop is devoted to the concept of connection. Participants will explore how connections are established,…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Principled Commitment

With your co-leader, take some time after the workshop to evaluate the session and plan for future sessions. Consider these questions: What parts of the workshop seemed to engage the most people? Why? When did we seem particularly effective as co-leaders? Why?…
Find Out More
From Principled Commitment

Gottman, John M., and Nan Silver. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert. Three Rivers Press, 1999. Kellerman, Lois, and Nelly Bly. Marriage from the Heart: Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together….

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Workshop 6: Connection

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