You may like to introduce the story with these words: This story is about a time when a group of Unitarian Universalists had to make a difficult decision together and needed to listen to each other. Unitarian Universalism is a living faith. We think that people should be free to believe what they...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Tool of the Day - a listening tool Chalice and candle Safety matches and long fireplace matches Small dish for spent matches Candle snuffer Council candles (a tea light or votive candle for each participant, or some to share if group is very large)...

Activity time: 15 minutes Preparation for Activity Decide which activities to do with the group, and where to do them. The activity, Make a Noise, is especially fun in an outdoor setting. Because the song in the activity, Bingo: Sound and Silence, goes from sound toward silence, it makes a good...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Scarves to cover eyes For Listening Boxes Ten, identical small plastic canisters (such as empty pill bottles or 35mm film canisters, with lids) or ten, identical cardboard boxes with lids (such as for jewelry) Handfuls of five different...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "James Luther Adams and the Chicago Church Desegregation" Preparation for Activity Read the story. Prepare to tell it or to read it aloud. Description of Activity Gather the group in a circle to hear the story. Read or tell the...

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today's session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?

Description of Activity Oral History Participants can become archivists for the congregation by listening as long-time members tell about their experiences....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Recorded sound effects and other sounds, and appropriate media player Tool of the Day - a listening tool Optional: Large sea shells for "hearing the ocean" Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint,...

Materials for Activity Recorded sound effects and other sounds, and appropriate media player Tool of the Day - a listening tool Optional: Large sea shells for "hearing the ocean" Optional: A small, symbolic listening tool to attach to the Toolbox of Our Faith poster, such as a small sea shell,...

Take a moment and let your body and mind settle. If you are comfortable doing so, spend a few moments in peaceful meditation. To prepare for this session on listening, reflect on your own experiences. When have you found it hardest to listen well? When is it easiest?...

ACTIVITY MINUTES Welcoming and Entering Opening 10 Activity 1: Story — James Luther Adams and the Chicago Church Desegregation 10 Activity 2: Listening Games 10 Activity 3: Listening Workout 15 Activity 4: Council Circle 10 Faith in Action: Ideas...

Nature has given [people] one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak. — Epictetus, the Greek Stoic philosopher A stethoscope, seashell, or other listening tool symbolizes listening. In this session participants reflect on and practice the skills of listening...

You had a chance today to think about some of your own convictions — the things you believe are so important you would stand up for them, even when it is hard to do. Keep your list of convictions, if you made one, or make one later, if you didn't. Keep thinking about the beliefs and concerns that...

All members of the group must be included, in some fashion, in the acting. You may make noise in your acting, if it is relevant to what you are trying to convey. But, you may not use recognizable language. That is, actors may not speak. There will be a time limit for planning and practicing your...

A useful visual aid for this story is a map of the United States to show Reverend Wilkes extensive travel all over the country. Other visual aids might include pictures of Universalist circuit riders and pictures of frontier life and transportation modes of the mid-nineteenth century....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Several small stones for each participant Optional: Cloth on which to place the stones Participant lists of their own convictions Permanent markers and/or paints and paintbrushes Newspaper Optional: Chalice candle and lighter and extinguisher...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1: Moments of Courage Skit Rules for each group Preparation for Activity Review Handout 1: Moments of Courage Skit Rules. You may want to adapt the handout to specify how much time you will give participants to (1) plan and (2)...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, "Eliza Tupper Wilkes: Riding for Faith, Hope, and Love" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to read it aloud or tell it dramatically. Description of Activity Gather the group to hear a story. After the story,...

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about today's session? What parts of the session worked well? What can we learn from the experience of this session? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?...