Session 11: Listening (Stethoscope)

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Toolbox of Faith, Grades 4-5

In This Section

Introduction
From Toolbox of Faith

Nature has given [people] one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak. — Epictetus, the Greek Stoic philosopher A stethoscope, seashell, or other listening tool symbolizes listening. In this session participants reflect on and practice the skills of listening…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Toolbox of Faith

ACTIVITY MINUTES Welcoming and Entering Opening 10 Activity 1: Story — James Luther Adams and the Chicago Church Desegregation 10 Activity 2: Listening Games 10 Activity 3: Listening Workout 15 Activity 4: Council Circle 10 Faith in Action: Ideas…
Spiritual Preparation
From Toolbox of Faith

Take a moment and let your body and mind settle. If you are comfortable doing so, spend a few moments in peaceful meditation. To prepare for this session on listening, reflect on your own experiences. When have you found it hardest to listen well? When is it easiest?…
Welcoming and Entering
From Toolbox of Faith

Materials for Activity Recorded sound effects and other sounds, and appropriate media player Tool of the Day — a listening tool Optional: Large sea shells for “hearing the ocean” Optional: A small, symbolic listening tool to attach to the Toolbox of Our Faith poster, such as a small sea shell,…
Opening
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Recorded sound effects and other sounds, and appropriate media player Tool of the Day — a listening tool Optional: Large sea shells for “hearing the ocean” Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint,…
Activity 1: Story - James Luther Adams And The Chicago Church Desegregation
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “James Luther Adams and the Chicago Church Desegregation” Preparation for Activity Read the story. Prepare to tell it or to read it aloud. Description of Activity Gather the group in a circle to hear the story. Read or tell the…
Activity 2: Listening Games
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Scarves to cover eyes For Listening Boxes Ten, identical small plastic canisters (such as empty pill bottles or 35mm film canisters, with lids) or ten, identical cardboard boxes with lids (such as for jewelry) Handfuls of five different…
Activity 4: Listening Workout
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 15 minutes Preparation for Activity Decide which activities to do with the group, and where to do them. The activity, Make a Noise, is especially fun in an outdoor setting. Because the song in the activity, Bingo: Sound and Silence, goes from sound toward silence, it makes a good…
Activity 5: Council Circle
From Toolbox of Faith

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day — a listening tool Chalice and candle Safety matches and long fireplace matches Small dish for spent matches Candle snuffer Council candles (a tea light or votive candle for each participant, or some to share if group is very large)…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Toolbox of Faith

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today’s session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?
Faith In Action: Ideas
From Toolbox of Faith

Description of Activity Oral History Participants can become archivists for the congregation by listening as long-time members tell about their experiences….
Taking It Home: Listening (Stethoscope)
From Toolbox of Faith

Nature has given [people] one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak. — Epictetus, the Greek Stoic philosopher IN TODAY’S SESSION… A listening tool symbolizes listening. The children explored and practiced their listening skills using games and chants. They…
James Luther Adams

Jessica York

From Toolbox of Faith

You may like to introduce the story with these words: This story is about a time when a group of Unitarian Universalists had to make a difficult decision together and needed to listen to each other. Unitarian Universalism is a living faith. We think that people should be free to believe what they…
Find Out More
From Toolbox of Faith

Where to Find the Tool of the Day You can purchase an auto mechanic’s listening tool, which resembles a medical stethoscope, online from Tool Source or Harbor Freight Tools, or another online vendor. If your congregation’s membership includes medical professionals, you may be able to borrow a…