Tapestry of Faith: Principled Commitment: An Adult Program on Building Strong Relationships

Leader Resource 1: Order Of Service - Connection

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, the function of connection within a relationship, and how a sense of connection can be strengthened.

Chalice Lighting

Light the chalice while reading the following words:

We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith: to seek truth and honesty, to build respect, and to foster greater connection among all people, beginning with ourselves. May we dedicate our time together to these purposes.

Principle

Introduce the guiding Unitarian Universalist Principle for this workshop:

We covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Connection is that deep sense of knowing another person, which gives us the confidence to live in the world as part of a couple. The way we, as partners, communicate with one another — physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually — reflects how we value our interdependent web. So does the way we connect with others. Further, all of our actions and attitudes as partners are shaped by an interdependent web of family, friends, environment, community, and world.

Guided Meditation

Lead participants through the following guided meditation to center them for the rest of the workshop. Read the words slowly, pausing between phrases.

I invite you into a time of silence. Try to sit with your spine straight, with your feet flat on the floor. Perhaps close your eyes. Take a deep breath, inhale . . . and exhale. Take another deep breath . . . and exhale. Again; this time, as you exhale, let go of all the pressures of the day. Let go of the "to dos," the "should haves". . . just let them float out of the room. You can return to them later. Take another deep breath. As you inhale, take in the energy of this place. As you exhale, let go of any tension or stress you might be feeling.

[Long pause]

Come into this place of connection. Envision yourself connecting with your partner. It is a gift you are giving each other. What does it feel like? What does it look like?

[Sit in silence for two to three minutes.]

Please maintain this spirit as I read the poem.

Reading

Read "Connections Are Made Slowly" by Marge Piercy, 568 in Singing the Living Tradition.

Sit in silence for a few moments before saying:

When you are ready, please bring your focus back into this room and join our check-in.