Building the World We Dream About uses a transformative approach to reach its educational goals. A transformative approach asks specific questions in order to produce new outcomes to seemingly intractable problems—specifically, how we learn to negotiate and act on values, feelings, and meanings...

There are seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote. Unitarian Universalism draws from many Sources.

Every congregation has its own culture and way of scheduling adult programming. Building the World We Dream About workshops follow a particular pattern and are best done sequentially. Workshops 1-4 offer participants practice in understanding how perspectives are shaped by life experience and by...

Determine the calendar schedule for workshops. Enter the information in the congregational calendar. Invite participants. It is best to personally invite individuals to participate. If appropriate, you can also use flyers, announcements, and your congregation's website to publicize the program....

Complete the personalization of the letter by filling in the brackets in the text below. To determine the length of time each participant may speak, assume that the presentations will take 20 minutes and divide the time among the panelists....

Print out the incomplete sentences, enlarged to at least 16-point type. Cut the pages into strips, with one incomplete sentence on each strip. Select sentences most appropriate to your congregation, and/or add some of your own. Fold strips of paper and put them in a small basket or bowl....

Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at any congregational meeting, be elected to the governing board, and participate in any activities of the congregation....

It was the first gathering of a newly formed small group. The eight people who gathered in Ann's living room recognized one another, but had no real connection, except for the two married couples who were there....

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Letter to Panelists Preparation for Activity Create a panel of three to five congregation members from a variety of backgrounds, interests, cultures, perspectives, and ages who have interesting stories about the impact of the...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Brochures, events calendars, and/or lists of groups and contact people Preparation for Activity Consult with the Membership Committee and/or Volunteer Coordinator of your congregation to determine how best to let participants know about getting...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Bell or chime Bowl of stones Chalice table Preparation for Activity Place bowl of stones on the table with the chalice....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Congregational Membership Book Pen Optional: Membership packet and/or welcome gifts Preparation for Activity Invite officials of the congregation-president, minister, Membership Committee chair-to attend and welcome new members. If new members are...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity The original Parking Lot list from Workshop 1, including any questions that have been added during subsequent workshops Preparation for Activity Review the Parking Lot with co-facilitators....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Rights and Responsibilities of Membership Preparation for Activity Review Handout 1, Rights and Responsibilities of Membership. Modify it to reflect the expectations in your congregation. Print it and copy for all participants....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "A New Small Group" Preparation for Activity Make copies of the story "A New Small Group" for all participants. Description of Activity Introduce the activity with these or similar words: We are changed by the community we join....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Sentence Starters Small basket or bowl Preparation for Activity Follow the instructions on Leader Resource 1, Sentence Starters, to prepare the sentence starters. Description of Activity Introduce the activity by saying something...

The adventure is only beginning! To find out more, review the most current Annual Report of your congregation, read your newsletter regularly, and review the website to stay current....

Review with your co-facilitator(s) how each activity went. What worked well? What might you do differently another time? Review the program with the Membership Committee to determine how it worked with their processes....

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition for all participants Optional: Keyboard or other accompaniment Preparation for Activity Determine whether you will sing or do the reading. Optional: Invite an accompanist or song leader to lead the hymn.

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Your congregation's covenant, or Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Chalice, candle, and lighter, or an LED battery-operated candle Stand or small table for the chalice Cloth or decorative covering for chalice stand...