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Activity 4: Introduction To Spirit In Practice (15 minutes), Workshop 1: Toward a Rich and Meaningful Unitarian Universalist Spirituality, in the Spirit in Practice Program

Materials for Activity

• Copies of Handout 2: Eight Spheres of Spiritual Growth (one per participant)
• Group guidelines listed on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation)
• Optional: Computer and digital projector
• Optional: Microphone
• Optional: Lectern or pulpit from which to speak

Preparation for Activity

• Read through the text of the activity and familiarize yourself with it so that you can deliver the content in a way that feels comfortable and genuine for you.
• List proposed group guidelines (see Description of Activity) on newsprint or a digital slide.

Description of Activity

Present the following proposed guidelines for the workshop series by displaying them on newsprint or a digital slide.

• Everyone has the right to participate
• Everyone has the right to pass or be silent
• Treat one another with respect
• Aim to converse with—not convert—other participants

After presenting the proposed guidelines, ask the group if they would like to propose additional guidelines. If so, add them to the list and ask for the group's assent.

Explain the basic format of this workshop series. Indicate that eight workshops will explore practices that support eight different aspects of spiritual growth, each relevant to people with a variety of spiritual beliefs and traditions. Each workshop will have an opening and closing, a story relevant to its topic, time for reflection, time for discussion, and a variety of activities.

Distribute Handout 2: Eight Spheres of Spiritual Growth. Review the handout, taking time to highlight each sphere. Ask participants to listen to each sphere's description and to reflect on how they do or don't engage that sphere in their spiritual lives.

When the description of the spheres is complete, offer the following questions for discussion:

• Do these spheres describe a well-rounded Unitarian Universalist spiritual life? If so, how? If not, is there any area you would add to the model to round it out?
• What spheres have you found it easiest to tend to in your life? Which ones are harder to tend to?
• Which spheres have been enhanced by participation in this congregation?

Conclude by telling participants you look forward to exploring these spheres of spiritual growth in the workshops to come.

Including All Participants

All participants in your workshop, particularly those who are hard of hearing, will absorb the material better if you use a microphone, speak in an engaging manner, use body language, and make frequent eye contact.

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Last updated on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

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