Workshop 8: Power at Work in Your Congregation

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

If churches want to realize Dr. King’s dream, they must first embrace a dream of racial justice and equality . . ….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Sharing Stories 30 Activity 2: Congregational Power Map 70 Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Central Casting 30…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

Reflect on your role in the congregation. In what ways do you hold power? What decisions can you (or a group or committee to which you belong) make with a reasonable expectation that your decision will be followed? How did you come to hold your power? Did you have a fast track to your current…
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 Participant evaluations from previous workshop List of this workshop’s Goals Covenant established in Workshop 1 Preparation for Activity Practice reading …
Activity 1: Sharing Stories
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Workshop 7, Handout 2, Not Somewhere Else, But Here Workshop 7, Taking It Home Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Have a few copies of Workshop 7, Handout 2 for anyone who did not receive it in the previous workshop. Copy the…
Activity 2: Congregational Power Map
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 70 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Mapping Power and Authority Variety of writing and drawing implements Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1 for all participants. Decide small group assignments in advance….
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Taking It Home Copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Preparation for Activity Write these questions on newsprint, and post: What ideas were most interesting or challenging to you?…
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?
Alternate Activity 1: Central Casting
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Casting List Pens/pencils Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 2 for all participants….
Taking It Home: Power at Work in Your Congregation
From Building the World We Dream About

If churches want to realize Dr. King’s dream, they must first embrace a dream of racial justice and equality . . ….
Handout 1: Mapping Power and Authority
From Building the World We Dream About

Definitions POWER is the ability to achieve purpose. — from a 1967 sermon by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. AUTHORITY is conferred power to perform a service. This definition is a reminder of two facts. First, authority is given and can be taken away. Second, authority is conferred as…
Handout 2: Casting List
From Building the World We Dream About

Preppy nerd Sophisticated teacher/professor A promiscuous girl Member of a hip-hop group A lazy student A construction worker A caring grandparent Mother of six children Gay Republican Day laborer…
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…

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 8: Power at Work in Your Congregation

Tapestry is Sunsetting

Shop Books & Gifts

No Human Involved The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference

Get Inspired for Worship

From the Sea of Stars

Find Faith Development Tools

Authentic Selves