Workshop 6: Hope, Compassion and Strength

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

If you give (a person) a fish, you feed (them) for a day. If you teach (them) how to fish, you feed (them) for a lifetime. — Chinese proverb This workshop highlights reciprocity—loving one’s neighbor as oneself—a central message of Unitarian Universalism’s Sources. Participants extend their…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Gather the Spirit

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: River Scene — Flower Ceremony 15 Activity 2: Story — The Caican Water Project 10 Activity 3: Time and Talent Exploration 15 Activity 4: Tug of Peace 10 Faith in Action: UU Partners in Action Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Body Tracings 20 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Gather the Spirit

Today you will help young participants see themselves—perhaps for the first time—as contributors to their communities. Older participants will reflect on their relationship(s) with communities in which they both serve and thrive. Take a few moments to reflect on your congregation. How has your…
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: River Scene - Flower Ceremony
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity River Scene mural (Workshop 1, Activity 2) One or two large vases Tissue paper in assorted colors, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), scissors (including left-handed scissors), a stapler and tape Optional: A length of string and a pencil; assorted…
Activity 2: Story - The Caican Water Project
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Caican Water Project” Leader Resource 1, Aquifer Optional: Model aquifer from Workshop 5, Alternate Activity 2, Make an Aquifer in a Cup Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story….
Activity 3: Time and Talent Exploration
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Handout 1, Time/Talent/Treasure Survey Optional: Pencils/pens Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all participants, plus extra for leaders….
Activity 4: Tug of Peace
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Length(s) of rope Optional: Geometric shapes cut out of paper or drawn on paper Preparation for Activity Depending on the group’s size, decide whether to do this activity as one large group or several small groups (either simultaneously or taking…
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 Taking It Home for your group. Prepare…
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: UU Partners in Action
From Gather the Spirit

Materials for Activity Information about the Unitarian Universalist partner church program and (optional) your congregation’s partner church Preparation for Activity Find out if your congregation is a Unitarian Universalist partner church. Invite a congregational leader to visit and talk with the…
Alternate Activity 1: Body Tracings
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Rolls of blank paper at least 36 inches wide Colored pencils, markers and (optional) arts and crafts supplies such as construction paper, scissors (including left-handed scissors), glitter or sequins, glue sticks and tape Optional: Bright light…
Alternate Activity 2: Reverse Mural
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Large roll or large sheets of plain paper Crayons, markers and/or (optional) a textured medium such as oil pastel Scissors (including left-handed scissors) Preparation for Activity Decide how many murals to create, what size paper sheets to use and…
Alternate Activity 3: Making Machines
From Gather the Spirit

Activity time: 15 minutes Preparation for Activity Decide whether to make one large group machine or several small group (of at least four members) machines….
Taking It Home: Hope, Compassion and Strength
From Gather the Spirit

If you give (a person) a fish, you feed (them) for a day. If you teach (them) how to fish, you feed (them) for a lifetime. — Chinese proverb IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… We considered how each person is an important member of a community. We explored our talents and thought about how we each can make…
The Caican Water Project
From Gather the Spirit

Based on information provided by Rev. Mike Young, The First Unitarian Church of Honolulu. Sometimes, the moment you meet someone, you know they will be a very important friend in your life. Other times, friendships start slowly. You might not know how important the friendship is for many years….
Handout 1: Time-Talent-Treasure Survey
From Gather the Spirit

Name: If I had (more) time to help out in my community, I would want to: I am really good at: One way I use my talent to help others is: If I won $100, I would: If I won $100 and wanted to give the money away, I would…
Leader Resource 1: Aquifer
From Gather the Spirit

Environment Canada’s Freshwater Website. Reproduced with the permission of the Department, 2009.
Find Out More
From Gather the Spirit

Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council Learn about the UUPCC online. The website includes information about current projects and how North American UU congregations can become partner churches. On the UUPCC website, the Caican Water Project and related projects in the Philippines are well…