Alternate Activity 1: Additions to the Reflecting on Ritual Activity (30 minutes)
Materials for Activity
- Bell
- Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds
- Copies of Handout 3: Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual Space for all participants
- Pens or pencils for all participants
Preparation for Activity
- Photocopy Handout 3: Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual Space
Description of Activity
Conduct this activity immediately after Activity 5: Reflecting on Ritual. Invite participants to design the celebration or ritual they are thinking about.Distribute Handout 3: Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual. Explain that participants can use the worksheet to help them plan a ritual. You may wish to read the worksheet together or briefly discuss it with your group.
Allow 15 minutes for planning. Then, ring the bell and gather the group.
Acknowledge that participants' plans may be far from finished. Encourage participants to take their worksheets home and continue shaping the ritual they want to try.
Now, invite participants to pair up and share with one another their ideas for rituals and celebrations. If you have an odd number of participants, create a triad. Instruct pairs to talk first about one partner's ideas, and switch when you ring the bell.
Watch the time, and ring the bell after two or three minutes. Allow an equal amount of time for the second partner to present his/her ritual; then, ring the bell again to end the sharing exercise. If you have a triad, signal that group separately to provide equal "air time" for each participant.
Invite participants to return to the whole group. Ask for a show of hands:
- How many of you thought of solo rituals or celebrations? Group rituals or celebrations? Celebrations or rituals for the congregation?
Lead a discussion with these questions:
- What was it like to design a ritual?
- What has struck you the most from today's discussion and reflection concerning ritual?
- What will you carry with you from this activity?
Including All Participants
If you have participants who might appreciate a larger-print version of the worksheet, enlarge Handout 3: Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual to 11"x17".Last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
