Workshop 10: The Call for Joy

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Heeding the Call, Jr. High Ages 12-15: Qualities Of A Justice Maker

In This Section

Introduction
From Heeding the Call

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Heeding the Call

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Clowning for Joy in Haiti 15 Activity 2: The Roles of Laughter 15 Activity 3: Joy to the World Mural 20 Faith in Action: Spreading Joy Faith in Action: Allies, Phase 6 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Joy to the World Greetings 30…
Spiritual Preparation
From Heeding the Call

Take a few moments to relive joyful moments in your life. What events have brought you joy? Has your social justice work ever brought you joy? Were you able to share the joy? Joy seems to grow exponentially when shared. Consider how joy is expressed and shared by youth in your community….
Opening
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post. Description of Activity Gather youth in a circle. Welcome first-time participants.
Activity 1: Story - Clowning for Joy in Haiti
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story “Clowning for Joy in Haiti” Preparation for Activity Read the story until you are comfortable presenting it. Optional: Make copies of the story for youth to share and read along….
Activity 2: The Roles of Laughter
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity One copy of Leader Resource 1, Laughter Vignettes Newsprint, markers and tape Handout 1, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, from Workshop 2 Optional: Costumes and props Description of Activity Youth explore the roles of laughter and joy in emotional and…
Activity 3: Joy to the World Mural
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Mural paper Paint brushes and paint Newspaper Handout 1, Words of Joy, for all participants Preparation for Activity Find space to roll out a large sheet of paper. Make sure the surface under and around the paper is protected with newspaper.
Closing
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Description of Activity Distribute Taking It Home. Invite youth to stand in a circle and do the hokey-pokey! Thank first-time guests for their contributions to the group….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Heeding the Call

Humor and joy are not always easy to bring into educational settings. Humor can be challenging but also liberating. How did humor and celebration work in this workshop for you as a facilitator? Are there ways you would approach humor differently in a social justice context in the future?…
Faith In Action: Spreading Joy
From Heeding the Call

Preparation for Activity Find a theater/group that works well with youth. Or, enlist actors within your congregation who would like to assist youth with this activity. Description of Activity Participants bring fun and joy to others. Laughter is 30 times more likely to happen in a group situation…
Faith In Action 2: Allies, Phase 6
From Heeding the Call

Materials for Activity Handout 1, Oppression Continuum, or projected Justicemakers Guide, from Workshop 5 Handout 2, Ally Action 6 The returned handouts from the last workshop Pens or pencils Optional: computer and large monitor, or projector and screen Preparation for Activity If you are using t…
Alternate Activity 1: Joy to the World Greetings
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Words of Joy, for all participants Two sheets of white cardstock for each participant Scissors (including left-handed scissors) Markers and colored pencils Magazines Description of Activity Youth create joyful greeting cards….
Taking It Home: The Call for Joy
From Heeding the Call

The sharing of joy, whether physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual, forms a bridge between the sharers which can be the basis for understanding much of what is not shared between them, and lessens the threat of their difference. — Audre Lorde In Today’s Workshop… We explored the…
Clowning for Joy in Haiti

Sarah Foster

From Heeding the Call

Sarah Foster is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who wanted to make the world a better place while doing something that she loved. What she loved was performing and making others laugh, so she became a clown. As a professional clown with Clowns Without Borders, Sarah has traveled to Haiti,…
Handout 1: Words of Joy
From Heeding the Call

For pronunciation of these words, refer to the Forvo website. How do you say “joy” in… Spanish — “alegria” (spoken by youth and children in Spain, Central America and South America) German — “Freude” (spoken by youth and children in Germany, Poland and Austria) Portugeuse — “alegria” (spoken…
Handout 2: Ally Action 6
From Heeding the Call

I want to be an ally to _____________________________________________. Phase 7 Date What action do you want to take? What resources or materials do you need and how will you get them? What hazards or risks are involved? What obstacles might you encounter and how will you overcome them?…
Leader Resource 1: Laughter Vignettes
From Heeding the Call

Based on excerpts from “Medicine of Mirth” by Mary Desmond Pinkowish and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Office” by Nancy Mann Jackson in Ode Magazine, August, 2009.Cut the sheet into three separate slips for three small groups….
Find Out More
From Heeding the Call

Joy Have you ever considered joy as a spiritual practice? S… and Practice does and the website tells you why. Clowns Without Borders, the organization Sarah Foster works with, sends laughter all over the world. Check out their website and find out about upcoming events. The Scholastic website of…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 10: The Call for Joy

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