Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint Easel Markers Low-stick masking tape Description of Activity This brainstorming exercise gives participants an opportunity to express their hopes for the program. Ask participants: What are your expectations for the Principled Commitment...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2: Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources (already in participants' folders) Handout 3: Workshop Descriptions and Schedule (already in participants' folders) A schedule of all the workshops on newsprint or a digital slide (see...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1: Getting Acquainted (already in participants' folders) Pens or pencils (at least one per participant) Preparation for Activity Select four statements from the list below to read to participants. Description of Activity This activity...

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Introduce yourselves as leaders, and invite participants to take turns briefly introducing themselves. Suggest that they include their name and a sentence or two about their connection to the congregation or community....

Herz, Walter P., ed. Redeeming Time: Endowing Your Church with the Power of Covenant. Skinner House, 1999. Kellerman, Lois, and Nelly Bly. Marriage from the Heart: Eight Commitments of a Spiritually Fulfilling Life Together. Penguin Compass, 2002. Rendle, Gilbert. Behavioral Covenants in...

With your co-leader, take some time after the workshop to evaluate the session and plan for future sessions. Consider these questions: What parts of the workshop seemed to engage the most people? Why? When did we seem particularly effective as co-leaders? Why?...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of customized Taking It Home handout (see Preparation) Preparation for Activity Review the Taking It Home section of this workshop and decide which "Affection Connection" options you will encourage participants to do....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Matches or lighter Singing the Living Tradition hymnbook (at least one copy) Leader Resource 10: Order of Service - Covenant Preparation for Activity Prepare th...

Materials for Activity Pocket folder for each participant Photocopies of the following handouts (one per participant): Handout 1: Getting Acquainted Handout 2: Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources Handout 3: Workshop Descriptions and Schedule Handout 4: Suggested Group Covenant Handout 5...

This first session will focus on getting acquainted and working on both a group covenant and covenants for each individual couple. If you are working with a co-leader, think about what a covenant between you might include. What expectations do you have for one another as co-leaders?...

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering Opening 15 Activity 1: Participant Introductions 10 Activity 2: Getting Acquainted 15 Activity 3: Program Overview 10 Activity 4: Expectations 10 Activity 5: Housekeeping 5 Activity 6: Group Covenant 15 Activity 7: Couple Covenant 35 Closing 5 Alternate...

It takes years to marry completely two hearts, even the most loving and well assorted. A happy wedlock is a long falling in love. — Theodore Parker, nineteenth-century Unitarian minister "Covenant" has been called the foundation of our Unitarian Universalist religious movement. It is covenant,...

Principled Commitment consists of eleven two-hour workshops, including a celebratory closure. These workshops can be offered one or two at a time over a period of weeks. The workshops can also be combined and presented during one or two weekend retreats. Keep in mind, however, that the condensed...

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free an...

Experienced workshop leaders will no doubt have their own tried and true techniques, but first-time leaders may benefit from the following suggestions: Understand your role. This is an opportunity for you to inspire personal growth within yourself and among workshop participants....

The following suggestions are offered to ease the implementation of this program. Each congregation has its own process, so use whichever suggestions are applicable to your situation. Gain approval. Many congregations have decision-making processes that govern adult program offerings....

Download the curriculum. If you have not already done so, go to the Principled Commitment web page and scroll to the bottom of the page, where you will find links and directions for downloading Principled Commitment to your computer. Edit the curriculum and handouts to suit your needs....

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, at least eight sheets (one per potential group) Markers, at least eight (one per potential group) Optional: Microphone (preferably cordless) Description of Activity If the group is large enough, ask participants to form small groups arou...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Writing paper (at least one sheet per participant) Envelopes (one per participant) Pens or pencils (one per participant) Optional: Microphone Preparation for Activity Make arrangements-on your own or with the congregation's office-to have...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 1: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly (one per participant) Pens or pencils (one per participant) Clock, watch, or timer Optional: Microphone Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly. Note that this...