Workshop 6: Giving Life the Shape Of Justice: The Spirituality Of Working For Change

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

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Part of Spirit of Life

In This Section

Introduction
From Spirit of Life

We covenant to affirm and promote… … the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. … respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The living tradition we share draws from… … wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Spirit of Life

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Story — Songwriting as a Prayer 15 Activity 2: Spirituality and Action Panel 30 Activity 3: Justice and Spirit 30 Faith in Action: Interfaith Action and Dialogue Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Creating a Web of Connection 30…
Spiritual Preparation
From Spirit of Life

Reflection. You may wish to set aside some time to reflect on your personal experiences and understanding of the spiritual dimensions of justice work. Either individually or together, co-leaders can use the workshop activities to spark and structure your reflection….
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: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Handout 1, Giving Life the Shape of Justice Copies of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Singing the Living Tradition…
Activity 1: Story - Songwriting as a Prayer
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of the story, “Songwriting as a Prayer” Optional: Cordless microphone Preparation for Activity Review the story and practice reading it aloud to ensure that you will present it effectively. Optional: Copy the story for all participants.
Activity 2: Spirituality and Action Panel
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Additional chairs for guest speakers Optional: Cordless microphone Preparation for Activity Recruit two or three speakers to serve on a panel on spirituality and justice work. Speakers may be Unitarian Universalist or of another faith; they may be…
Activity 3: Justice and Spirit
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Paper for drawing or writing Drawing and writing implements, such as pencils, color pencils, markers, crayons Table(s) with adequate space for each participant to write or draw. A bell Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds Optional: Cordless…
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 Taking It Home section of this workshop A copy of the closing words you want to use Preparation for Activity…
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: Interfaith Action and Dialogue
From Spirit of Life

Description of Activity Find out if there is another faith community in your area that is involved in justice work in some way. Offer to work alongside them, invite them to participate in a project you are planning, or suggest that you work together on a new project….
Alternate Activity 1: Creating a Web of Connection
From Spirit of Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Yarn, preferably acrylic or cotton, at least 30 feet (10 meters) for each participant Optional: Scissors (including left-handed scissors) Preparation for Activity Create a large ball of yarn….
Taking It Home: Giving Life the Shape Of Justice: The Spirituality Of Working For Change
From Spirit of Life

We covenant to affirm and promote… … the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. … respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The living tradition we share draws from… … wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our…
Songwriting as a Prayer

Kimberly French

From Spirit of Life

Excerpted and adapted from “Carolyn McDade’s Spirit of Life” by Kimberly French, UU World magazine, Fall 2007. Used with permission. Carolyn McDade, the author of the song “Spirit of Life”, does not identify herself as a songwriter or musician—though she has written hundreds of songs and released…
Handout 1: Giving Life the Shape of Justice
From Spirit of Life

UNISON CHALICE LIGHTING We light this chalice for the Spirit of Life. We light this chalice in affirmation of the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. We give thanks for the wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual lives. May our…
Find Out More
From Spirit of Life

Congregational Justice Making offers ideas for bringing justice and spirituality together in your congregation. The Unitarian Universalist Association’s social justice resources and programs can help congregations carry forward the energy of this workshop to “give life the shape of justice.”…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 6: Giving Life the Shape Of Justice: The Spirituality Of Working For Change

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