Workshop 10: Looking Back and Moving Forward

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Spirit in Practice: Ten Workshops for Unitarian Universalist Adults

In This Section

Introduction
From Spirit in Practice

To live with soul is to live deeply rooted in knowing and feeling that we are connected to one another and to the earth, that our life is held in the embrace of something larger than ourselves—a wisdom, a presence, a grace “whose beatitude is accessible to us,” says Ralph Waldo Emerson in his…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Spirit in Practice

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Sharing Names 5 Activity 2: The Story of Understanding the Elephant 10 Activity 3: What Will You Carry Forward? 15 Activity 4: Where Do We Go From Here? 15 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Notes to Myself 15 Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Spirit in Practice

Leaders are encouraged to prepare for the workshop not only by gathering supplies and reviewing the workshop’s activities, but also by practicing centering, prayer, or meditation….
Welcoming and Entering
From Spirit in Practice

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet (see Preparation) Pen or pencil Name tags Bold markers Group guidelines listed on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation) Workshop agenda listed on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation) Optional: Computer, digital projector, and screen Preparat…
Opening
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Matches or lighter Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook (one per person) Optional: A piano, guitar, or other form of accompaniment Optional:…
Activity 1: Sharing Names
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Microphone (preferably cordless) Preparation for Activity Be sure that participants have made name tags. If they have not, you may pass around name tag materials while participants introduce themselves. Description of Activity Introduce…
Activity 2: The Story Of Understanding The Elephant
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Story 1: Understanding the Elephant (one copy for leader, plus several copies for participants who may wish to read along) Optional: Microphone Optional: Pulpit or lectern Optional: Bell Preparation for Activity Review the story in advanc…
Activity 3: What Will You Carry Forward?
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint sheets from Workshop 1, Activity 5: Naming Our Experiences Low-stick masking tape (or other means for posting newsprint sheets) Clock, watch, or timer Bell Newsprint Markers Easel Optional: Microphone (preferably cordless) Preparation for…
Activity 4: Where Do We Go From Here?
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly (one per participant) Pens or pencils (one per participant) Clock, watch, or timer Optional: Microphone Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly. Note that this…
Closing
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Chalice extinguisher Copies of the customized Taking It Home handout (see Preparation) Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook (one per person)…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Spirit in Practice

After the workshop, co-leaders should make a time to get together to evaluate this workshop and the workshop series. Use these questions to guide your shared reflection and planning: What were some of our favorite moments of the workshop series?…
Alternate Activity 1: Notes To Myself
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper (at least one sheet per participant) Envelopes (one per participant) Pens or pencils (one per participant) Optional: Microphone Preparation for Activity Make arrangements-on your own or with the congregation’s office-to have…
Alternate Activity 2: Exploring The Spheres With Peers
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, at least eight sheets (one per potential group) Markers, at least eight (one per potential group) Optional: Microphone (preferably cordless) Description of Activity If the group is large enough, ask participants to form small groups arou…
Taking It Home: Looking Back and Moving Forward
From Spirit in Practice

These UU-friendly resources can be helpful as you continue to grow in spiritual practice. Addison, Howard A. Show Me Your Way: The Complete Guide to Exploring Interfaith Spiritual Direction. Skylight Paths Publishing, 2000. Rabbi Addison, who received spiritual direction from Catholic sisters and…
Understanding the Elephant
From Spirit in Practice

Five people wearing blindfolds were once brought into a room in the middle of which stood an elephant. Each person was directed to a different part of the animal, and then all five were encouraged to explore and discover whatever they could.
Handout 1: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly
From Spirit in Practice

During the Next Year I Will … Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly Personal Spiritual Practices Communal Worship Practices Spiritual Partnerships Mind Practices Body Practices Soul Practices Life Practices Justice Practices…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 10: Looking Back and Moving Forward

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