Workshop 1: Introducing the Program

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Families, Jr. High School

In This Section

Introduction to Workshop 1
From Families

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. — Anatole France , The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard The first three sessions of this program introduce participants to the topic of families. The process raises…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Families

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Project Introduction 10 Activity 2: Creating a Group Covenant 15 Activity 3: Plan for Youth Leadership 10 Activity 4: Family Continuum 10 Faith in Action: Helping Families 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Acting Like a Family 20…
Spiritual Preparation
From Families

Today you meet for the first session of this program. This is the beginning of a new project for you and the participants. You may know some of them well or this may be your first encounter. Consider how you want to be with them. How will you meet their emotional, physical, and intellectual needs?
Welcoming and Entering
From Families

Materials for Activity Instant processing camera with film (or digital camera, if an instant camera is unavailable) Small squares of paper and markers (necessary only if you use a digital camera) Glue or glue sticks Large colored poster board Snack, napkins, and cups Name tags Fine line markers,…
Opening
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches Description of Activity Gathering Gather participants and invite them to sit in a circle. Welcome participants; go around and say names….
Activity 1: Project Introduction
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Provide an overview of the program. You might say: “The program that we are starting explores families, photography, and narratives or stories….
Activity 2: Creating A Group Covenant
From Families

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and markers Description of Activity Invite participants to create a group covenant to guide them in their work. Use the following discussion prompts as appropriate: What is a covenant? Has anyone in the group ever created a covenant?…
Activity 3: Plan for Youth Leadership
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Take time to discuss potential youth participant co-leadership. This topic may be more interesting for high school youth than for junior high youth. Discuss with participants the options you have decided are appropriate for the group….
Activity 4: Family Continuum
From Families

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Invite participants to do a continuum activity. Explain that you will read a number of statements. After each statement, participants will place themselves on a continuum that is as wide as the room and extends from strongly agree to strongly…
Closing
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Letter to Youth and Their Families Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handout 1, Letter to Youth and Their Families, for all participants Description of Activity Gather the group in a circle. Pragmatics: Who has cameras for use in this…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Families

During the upcoming weeks, e-mail or call participants and remind them to bring forms about camera availability. Save the instant photographs of participants or print the digital photographs taken during this session. Save notes on family, as you may use them again in future sessions. Post the…
Faith In Action: Helping Families
From Families

Activity time: 60 minutes Preparation for Activity Be prepared to present possible options to the group. One good place to start is with your Justice Committee or Volunteer Match online….
Alternate Activity 1: Acting Like A Family
From Families

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Masking tape Markers Poster board Description of Activity Tell participants, “This activity will give you a chance to think about what you know about families and then work together and act out being in a family.” Randomly divide participants into…
Alternate Activity 2: What Makes A Family?
From Families

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and markers Description of Activity Ask the group: “So, what makes a family?” Ask a volunteer to help list attributes on newsprint. Remind participants that you will be exploring this question together in the weeks ahead….
Taking It Home: Introducing the Program
From Families

The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. — Anatole France, The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard DURING TODAY’S SESSION … We found out about the activities that are a part of Families, including the…
Books about Families
From Families

Here is a short list of books about families to have on hand for this and other sessions. You might find others in your congregational or local library. Remember to provide images of diverse family structures. Beard, Jean J., and Peggy Gillespie, with Gigi Kaeser….
Letter to Youth and Their Families
From Families

Please review this with your family and return during the next session. Dear Youth and Parents/Caregivers, We are starting our program, Families, which explores the diversity of families through activities and a creative project. As part of the program, youth will work together on a…

Download all of Families (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Introducing the Program

Tapestry is Sunsetting

Shop Books & Gifts

The Book of Non-Binary Joy Embracing the Power of You

Get Inspired for Worship

The Queer Beatitudes

Find Faith Development Tools

Body Beautiful