Workshop 7: The Call for Abundance

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

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. — Buddha In this workshop, youth explore abundance and scarcity. This includes time to reflect on how we view abundance and scarcity and how…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Heeding the Call

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — The Stolen Soup Aroma 10 Activity 2: Defining What We Mean 20 Activity 3: Unequal Access 20 Faith in Action: Abundance Fair Faith in Action: Allies, Phase 3 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Abundance Banquet 30 Alternate Activity 2: When the Savings…
Spiritual Preparation
From Heeding the Call

Sit quietly with your eyes closed if this is comfortable for you and slowly breathe in and out a few times. Let your mind wander as you rest into your body. When you feel at ease, imagine a slide show of moments in your life related to abundance. What do you visualize as total abundance? Without…
Opening
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers and tape A glass half filled with water Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint and post. Place the glass near the chalice. Description of…
Activity 1: Story - The Stolen Soup Aroma
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story “The Stolen Soup Aroma” 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. Description of Activity Youth hear a story about…
Activity 2: Defining What We Mean
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and markers Preparation for Activity Print these questions on newsprint: Do you feel you have enough material wealth in your life? How do you define material wealth? How do you define enough? Do you think people in different circumstances…
Activity 3: Unequal Access
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Abundance/Scarcity Questionnaire, for all participants Pencils Optional: Instrumental background music Preparation for Activity Print these questions on newsprint: To what extent do your answers reflect the background of your family? To…
Closing
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home for all participants Description of Activity Invite youth to stand in a circle and share a way they plan to appreciate the abundance in their lives. Thank first-time participants for their contributions to the group….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Heeding the Call

Discuss with your co-leader what went well in today’s workshop. Discuss what you would do differently in the future. What left you feeling hopeful as a religious educator after this workshop? What did you learn from the youth? Do you need to make adjustments to the long-term Faith in Action, Allies?
Faith In Action: Abundance Fair
From Heeding the Call

Preparation for Activity Be prepared to help youth publicize this event. Know the deadlines for congregational publicity, including (but not limited to) monthly newsletter, all church emails, announcements in the order of service and/or during the service….
Faith In Action 2: Allies, Phase 3
From Heeding the Call

Materials for Activity Handout 1, Oppression Continuum, or projected Justicemakers Guide, from Workshop 5 Handout 2, Ally Action 3 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 the…
Alternate Activity 1: Abundance Banquet
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity White tablecloth Candles Blank paper and markers Decadent snacks Rice crackers Pitcher of water Plates Preparation for Activity Divide the total number in your group by thirds to know how many will fit in each category. For example, if you have 12…
Alternate Activity 2: When the Savings Run Out
From Heeding the Call

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Family Scenarios Preparation for Activity Cut apart the scenarios in Leader Resource 1, Family Scenarios. Description of Activity This activity is based on an activity from Teaching Economics as if People Mattered: A High School…
Taking It Home: The Call for Abundance
From Heeding the Call

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. — Buddha In Today’s Workshop… We explored what is meant by abundance and scarcity….
The Stolen Soup Aroma
From Heeding the Call

From the All Folk Tales website. Used with permission.A long time ago in the village of Ipetumodu, there lived a poor woman. This woman was so poor that she did not have any soup for her eba. The eba is a starchy paste made from cassava flour and it is rather unappetizing to eat all by itself.
Handout 1: Abundance-Scarcity Questionnaire
From Heeding the Call

Youth should rate their Abundance/Scarcity on a scale of 1 (scarce) to 5 (abundant) 1. Access to food 2. Freedom to make decisions about what you wear 3. Friends 4. Freedom to make decisions about how you use your time 5. Financial independence 6. Access to health care 7….
Handout 2: Ally Action 3
From Heeding the Call

I want to be an ally to _____________________________________________. Phase 4: 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? What…
Leader Resource 1: Family Scenarios
From Heeding the Call

Scenario 1: You are a single mother with two children in elementary school. You work full-time as a sales clerk at The Gap. You make 14,250 dollars a year and have cash savings of 450 dollars. Scenario 2: You are a father with three children, ages 2, 4 and 6. You work full-time as a fire fighter,…
Find Out More
From Heeding the Call

Unequal Access The Social Justice pages of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s website lists resources for congregations and individuals involved in justice work. Some of the resources involve working with groups of people (such as immigrants) who do not have equal access to resources. Class…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 7: The Call for Abundance

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