Tapestry of Faith: A Chorus of Faiths: A Program That Builds Interfaith Youth Leaders

Closing

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook
  • Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle
  • Taking It Home
  • Optional: Copies of Singing the Journey, supplement to Singing the Living Tradition

Preparation for Activity

  • Adapt Taking It Home and copy for all participants or arrange to distribute by email after the workshop.
  • Optional: If you plan to use the musical version of the reading, become familiar with Hymn 1037 in Singing the Journey, "We Begin Again in Love;" hear the tune here.

Description of Activity

Say, in your own words:

Today we dealt with some difficult topics, including being sensitive to the religious commitments of others, and to issues of cultural misappropriation.

I'd like you all to take a moment to take some long deep breaths.

Model at least three deep inhales and exhales. Then continue:

In our interfaith work we are going to make mistakes. Part of our religious commitment is to use our mistakes to learn and grow, to learn to forgive ourselves and each other, and to begin again.

Distribute copies of Singing the Living Tradition. Invite volunteers to take turns reading aloud the italicized text to lead the group in the responsive reading "A Litany of Atonement," Reading 637. Remind participants anyone is free to pass if they do not wish to read.

Or, lead the group in singing the musical version of the text, "We Begin Again in Love," Hymn 1037 in Singing the Journey.

Extinguish the chalice. Distribute Taking It Home. Thank and dismiss participants.