Workshop 1: Gather the Spirit

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Gather the Spirit

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Introduction
From Gather the Spirit

There’s a river of my people and its flow is swift and strong. — Pete Seeger, Unitarian Universalist folk singer and activist This workshop introduces stewardship and water as critical at every level of being, from self to universe. It sets the stage for the Gather the Spirit program, presenting…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Gather the Spirit

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Snail Girl, a Navajo Story 15 Activity 2: River Scene 20 Activity 3: Water Charades 10 Activity 4: Meditation — Watery Me 5 Faith in Action Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: River Poetry 15 Alternate Activity 2: A Round Robin Story — Minnows and…
Spiritual Preparation
From Gather the Spirit

Take a moment to think about the role of water in our lives. We cannot live without water. We can survive longer without food than without water. Our potable water supply is finite and in danger from pollutants….
Opening
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Clear bowl to serve as a chalice Cup of water A small, hardy plant (such as a spider plant or shamrock plant) Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Gather the Spirit blog access instructions Optional: Music and music player Optional: Small table…
Activity 1: Story - Snail Girl, a Navajo Story
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “Snail Girl, a Navajo Story” Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story. Description of Activity Gather the group. Tell them that creation myths are stories from different cultures of how the world and life began.
Activity 2: River Scene
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A length of blue cloth or a large roll of mural paper, and a means to attach it to a wall and/or work tables Drawing supplies such as oil pastels; color markers; paints, paintbrushes and cups of water (and newspapers or drop cloth) Plain drawing…
Activity 3: Water Charades
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Index cards Preparation for Activity Optional: Write individual charade assignments on index cards and set the cards aside….
Activity 4: Meditation - Watery Me
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Read Alternate Activity 1, River Poetry. If you have time, you may wish to add it immediately after this meditation. Description of Activity This meditation introduces participants to the water cycle. Explain meditation if necessary, in words that…
Closing
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Clear bowl to serve as a chalice A small, hardy plant (such as a spider plant or shamrock plant) Optional: Small table Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Gather the Spirit

Meet with your co-leaders after the workshop to reflect on it. How was your mix of discussion and action? In the midst of the busy-ness, did you successfully include spiritual elements? How well did the activities include everyone? Were your activities appropriate for the ages of your participants?
Faith In Action: Where Does Our Water Come From? How Do We Keep It Clean?
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Preparation for Activity Visit the USGS website and research “Water Information By State” to learn where the drinking water in your area comes from and what…
Alternate Activity 1: River Poetry
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Paper, pencils and (optional) clipboards Preparation for Activity Distribute paper and pencils to participants. Description of Activity This activity can be done immediately after Activity 4 in this workshop, Watery Me: Meditation….
Alternate Activity 2: A Round Robin Story - Minnows and Whales
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper and a pencil for one participant Optional: Chalice bowl (or another shallow bowl, filled with water) and a stone or another small, heavy object Description of Activity Invite the group to explore “the minnow effect”-the Gather the Spi…
Alternate Activity 3: The Wonder of Water, through Science
From Gather the Spirit

Materials for Activity Books on the science of water Preparation for Activity Peruse books and online resources to ground or refresh your knowledge of water science and gather visual aids to share with the group….
Taking It Home: Gather the Spirit
From Gather the Spirit

There’s a river of my people and its flow is swift and strong. — Pete Seeger, Unitarian Universalist folk singer and activist IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… We talked about stewardship and water. We saw that when people gather in community, they are strong….
Snail Girl, a Navajo Story
From Gather the Spirit

Long ago, it is said, there was a mighty flood, and the People left their world, the Fourth World, the Underworld, and came up into the Fifth World, the world we live in today. They found themselves on the shore of a great ocean. The People broke into groups by clan and went out to find new homes.
Find Out More
From Gather the Spirit

Earth-centered Traditions and Water Find another Navajo story about water in The Precious Gift: A Navaho Creation Myth by Ellen Jackson (New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996). Making Musical Instruments Rain sticks: See the Kinderart website. Water-based music chimes: See the…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Gather the Spirit

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