Workshop 2: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part Two

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building the World We Dream About

In This Section

Introduction
From Building the World We Dream About

We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Sharing Marginality and Mattering Stories 20 Activity 2: Reflection Group Discussion 55 Activity 3: Large Group Discussion 25 Closing 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

It is up to you to assign participants to reflection groups for this workshop. Before doing that, set aside time to hold each of the individual participants in your workshop group in thought or prayer, appreciating the gifts they bring and the vulnerabilities and scars they carry. Silently offer…
Welcoming and Entering
From Building the World We Dream About

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) and bold markers Optional: Music and player Optional: Snacks and beverages Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle and set out name tags and markers on a table….
Opening
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Leader Resource 1, Mattering Participant evaluations from previous workshop List of this workshop’s Goals Covenant established in Workshop 1 Preparation f…
Activity 1: Sharing Marginality and Mattering Stories
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Serial Testimony Protocol Preparation for Activity Review Leader Resource 2 and prepare to explain it. Description of Activity Explain the serial testimony protocol….
Activity 2: Reflection Group Discussion
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 55 minutes Materials for Activity Participants’ completed Marginality and Mattering reflections (Workshop 1, Taking It Home) Workshop 1, Leader Resource 2, Affirming Experiences and Marginalizing Experiences Preparation for Activity Pre-assign participants to reflection groups base…
Activity 3: Large Group Discussion
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 25 minutes Description of Activity Lead a large group discussion using the questions below as guides, and close with the wrap-up points. Suggested discussion questions: What does it mean to “welcome” a person into our congregation? When do you feel most welcome in a group? What…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Taking It Home Leader Resource 3, The Way It Is Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint, and post: What ideas were most interesting or challenging to you? How are the sessions going for you so far?…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building the World We Dream About

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What didn’t? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Do we need to make changes in the way we work together?
Taking It Home: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part Two
From Building the World We Dream About

We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree….
Leader Resource 1: Mattering
From Building the World We Dream About

Originally written anonymously by a gay high-school student and adapted for this exercise. Mattering My father asked if I am gay I asked, Does it matter? He said, No not really I said, Yes. He said get out of my life. I guess it mattered. My friend asked why I talk about race so much?…
Leader Resource 2: Serial Testimony Protocol
From Building the World We Dream About

Adapted from the work of Peggy McIntosh and Emily Style.Testimony: bearing witness, giving evidence; speaking the truth of one’s experience and perspective; bearing responsibility for one’s own truth….
Leader Resource 3: The Way It Is

William Stafford

From Building the World We Dream About

The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. But it is hard for others to see. While you hold it you can’t get lost….
Find Out More
From Building the World We Dream About

The UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff group offers resources, curricula, trainings, and tools to help Unitarian Universalist congregations and leaders engage in the work of antiracism, antioppression, and multiculturalism. Visit www.uua.org/multiculturalism or email…

Download all of Building the World We Dream About (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 2: Telling Our Story: Multiple Truths and Multiple Realities, Part Two

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