Workshop 2: Sing In My Heart: Celebrations and Rituals

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Spirit of Life

In This Section

Introduction
From Spirit of Life

We covenant to affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. The living tradition we share draws from… Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Spirit of Life

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Singing “Spirit of Life” 5 Activity 2: Celebrations and Rituals 20 Activity 3: Grounding 5 Activity 4: Creating Ritual Together 30 Activity 5: Story — The Gates of the Forest 5 Activity 6: Reflecting on Ritual 15 Faith in Action:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Spirit of Life

Reflection. Before leading this workshop, you may wish to set aside some time to reflect on your personal experiences and understanding of ritual. Either individually or together, co-leaders can use the workshop activities to spark and structure your reflection. Doing so will also prepare you to…
Welcoming and Entering
From Spirit of Life

Materials for Activity Nametags and bold markers Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Computer, digital projector, and digital slide that displays a list of this workshop’s activities Preparation for Activity Create a sign-in sheet to gather participant…
Opening
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle A dripless candle in a heatproof holder or LED battery-operated candle that can be safely passed around the room Handout …
Activity 1: Singing "Spirit of Life"
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition Optional: A recording of “Spirit of Life” and a music player Preparation for Activity Obtain copies of Singing the Living Tradition for all participants. Obtain large print…
Activity 2: Celebrations and Rituals
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Writing paper and pens or pencils Bell Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds Optional: Cordless microphone Optional: Pulpit or podium Preparation for Activity Post newsprint in a place where you can write on it easi…
Activity 3: Grounding
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Review the activity and consider how you will demonstrate the movement. Use your creativity, but make sure you stay within your own physical limits and choose movements that will be accessible to people within a wide range of physical ability.
Activity 4: Creating Ritual Together
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds Leader Resource 1, A Ritual Celebrating a Loving Community Writing paper and pens or pencils Preparation for Activity Participants will form their own small groups to plan and enact five stages of a ritual….
Activity 5: Story - The Gates of the Forest
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “The Gates of the Forest” Optional: Cordless microphone Optional: Pulpit or podium Preparation for Activity Review the story and practice reading it aloud to ensure that you will present it effectively….
Activity 6: Reflecting on Ritual
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 15 minutes Description of Activity Explore the purposes and functions of celebration and ritual. Use these questions: How is ritual connected with today’s Source, “Direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder?” Can rituals change God? Can they change reality? Can rituals…
Closing
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle or LED battery-operated candle Chalice extinguisher Handout 1, Sing in My Heart Taking It Home section of this workshop Preparation for Activity If you did not d…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Spirit of Life

After the workshop, co-facilitators should make a time to get together to evaluate this workshop and plan future workshops. Use these questions to guide your shared reflection and planning: What were some of our favorite moments of the workshop? What were some of our most challenging moments?…
Faith In Action: Rituals in Social Justice Work
From Spirit of Life

Description of Activity Invite participants to reflect upon the ways in which communal rituals can be used to celebrate, honor, or deepen social justice work….
Alternate Activity 1: Ritual in Your Congregation
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Bell Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds Handout 2, Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual Space Pens or pencils Preparation for Activity Copies of Handout 2 for all participants….
Alternate Activity 2: Ritual in Your Life
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Bell Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds Writing paper and pens or pencils Preparation for Activity Write these three questions on newsprint: What transitions are you or your loved ones facing that could be marked…
Taking It Home: Sing In My Heart: Celebrations and Rituals
From Spirit of Life

We covenant to affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations. The living tradition we share draws from… Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an…
The Gates of the Forest
From Spirit of Life

By Elie Wiesel, from The Gates of the Forest.When the great Rabbi Israel Ba’al Shem-Tov saw misfortune threatening the Jews, it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to meditate. There he would light the fire, say a special prayer, and the miracle would be accomplished and the…
Handout 1: Sing in My Heart
From Spirit of Life

UNISON CHALICE LIGHTING We light this chalice in affirmation and acceptance of one another. Each of us has a piece of the truth and we need one another to be more whole. May we each bring to our gathering an openness to the forces that create and uphold life. May our time together in ritual and…
Handout 2: Worksheet for Creating Sacred Space and Ritual Space
From Spirit of Life

As you create a sacred space or centering place for a ritual or celebration, you might like to consider these questions: What’s the theme of your celebration? What mood do you want to evoke? Does a color speak to the feeling of the celebration? How about texture: smooth, rough, or… ?…
Leader Resource 1: A Ritual Celebrating a Loving Community
From Spirit of Life

Cut sheet into 5 strips along dotted lines….
Find Out More
From Spirit of Life

Recommended reading: The Art of Ritual: Creating and Performing Ceremonies for Growth and Change by Renee Beck and Sydney Barbara Metrick (Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts, 2004). Transforming Rituals: Daily Practices for Changing Lives by Roy M. Oswald with Jean Morris Trumbauer (Herndon,…

Download all of Spirit of Life (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 2: Sing In My Heart: Celebrations and Rituals

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