Workshop 2: Gather in Sympathy

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

In This Section

Introduction
From Gather the Spirit

Anyone who can solve the problem of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes—one for peace and one for science. — John F. Kennedy The Earth is our home, the place where waters flow and life thrives. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to stewardship of the Earth, recognizing that without…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Gather the Spirit

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Experiential Water Meditation 15 Activity 2: Story — The Teachings of the Rain God 10 Activity 3: River Scene — Downriver Critters 25 Faith in Action: Water Steward’s Pledge 15 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Acting out the Story 10 Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Gather the Spirit

Experience the community and commitment of your own congregation. At a busy time on a Sunday or other day, drift away from the group and observe it. Reflect on its purpose, power and commitment….
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: Experiential Water Meditation
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two pitchers, filled with water Small cups (recyclable, if possible) for all participants plus some extra Dirt, food coloring, vinegar and other items to make water undrinkable A copy of Handout 1, Sad Statistics Preparation for Activity Add dirt,…
Activity 2: Story - The Teachings of the Rain God
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Teachings of the Rain God” Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story. If possible, prepare to tell it dramatically. When participants can see a story come alive, they engage more easily. Description of…
Activity 3: River Scene - Downriver Critters
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity River Scene mural (Workshop 1, Activity 2) Drawing supplies such as oil pastels; color markers; paints, paintbrushes and cups of water (and newspapers or drop cloth) Plain drawing paper, scissors (including left-handed scissors) and glue sticks and…
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? Are participants growing in their understanding of the need to protect and equitably share the Earth’s water…
Faith In Action: Water Steward's Pledge
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Handout 1, Sad Statistics Handout 2, Water Steward’s Pledge Pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Decide whether to hold a large group discussion or form smaller groups of three to five participants….
Alternate Activity 1: Acting out the Story
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Teachings of the Rain God” Paper lunch bags or card stock, color markers and (optional) tape or string Preparation for Activity Set out supplies so participants can make masks….
Alternate Activity 2: The Costs of Water Fun
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Find out about water theme parks in your area; use the Theme Park City website. If possible, find out how much water they use. Ski resorts that make their own snow also use large amounts of water, sometimes drawing from local freshwater resources…
Taking It Home: Gather in Sympathy
From Gather the Spirit

Anyone who can solve the problem of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes—one for peace and one for science. — John F. Kennedy IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… The group experienced, through a guided meditation, needing a drink of fresh water when none is available. We learned about the Earth’s water…
The Teachings of the Rain God
From Gather the Spirit

Adapted from a version on the 2003 International Year of FreshWater website. One day a long time ago, the elephant acted like a bully. He challenged the Rain God. “You covered the Earth in green,” the elephant said, “and I’ll bet you feel pretty good about yourself. But guess what!…
Handout 1: Sad Statistics
From Gather the Spirit

Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. But only 2.5% of that is fresh water. Only 1% of the world’s freshwater is available for use. A lot of the rest is trapped in icecaps or underground. Twenty percent of the world’s human population does not have safe drinking water….
Handout 2: Water Stewards Pledge
From Gather the Spirit

I promise to be a good steward to the Earth’s water resources. I will conserve water whenever I can. I will not waste water when I can help it. I will work so more people around the world have the clean, water they need. I will clean up polluted waters whenever I have a chance….
Find Out More
From Gather the Spirit

More Sad Statistics See a summary of the report. The Pacific Institute produces an annual report on the world’s water.

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 2: Gather in Sympathy

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