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Part of A Place of Wholeness

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Introduction
From A Place of Wholeness

The mechanics of the Mobius strip are mysterious, but its message clear: whatever is inside us continually flows outward to help form, or deform, the world — and whatever is outside us continually flows inward to help form, or deform, our lives. — Parker Palmer, Quaker educator and spiritual...
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: I Believe, I Feel, I Act — Life as a Mobius Strip 25 Activity 2: Story — The Woodcarver 10 Activity 3: Wholeness in Community 20 Activity 4: Celebration 15 Faith in Action: Sharing A Place of Wholeness 45 Closing 15 Alternate...
Spiritual Preparation
From A Place of Wholeness

In Activity 1, participants will use a Mobius strip as a tool for thinking about their own wholeness. Spend a few minutes following the directions in this activity and create a Mobius strip of your own. Trace the strip with your finger to see how the outside becomes the inside....
Welcoming and Entering
From A Place of Wholeness

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Write the Welcome Words and question on newsprint and post. Description of Activity The Welcome Words are meant to set the stage for the workshop and spark conversation before the workshop begins....
Opening
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Centering table and cloth Chalice, candle, and matches Five smooth stones about the size of a fist Handout 1, Responsive Reading - Five Smooth Stones from Workshop 1 for all participants Preparation for Activity Set up your centering table with an...
Activity 1: I Believe, I Feel, I Act - Life as a Mobius Strip
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity 11 x 17 pieces of paper Cellophane tape Participants' journals Pens or pencils Leader Resource 1, Mobius Strip Preparation for Activity Cut each 11 x 17 piece of paper into three long strips that should be about 3 and a half inches wide and 17 inch...
Activity 2: Story - The Woodcarver
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "The Woodcarver" Preparation for Activity Read the story, "The Woodcarver" until you are comfortable presenting it....
Activity 3: Wholeness in Community
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Community of Wholeness Scenarios Preparation for Activity Cut each scenario from Handout 1 to be given to different participants. Description of Activity Participants explore the meaning of wholeness within their faith community....
Activity 4: Celebration
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Cake, popcorn or other treats to eat Beverages Blank pieces of paper Permanent markers Tape Small cloth bags that close with a drawstring Sets of five small stones Handout 1, Responsive Reading - Five Smooth Stones from Workshop 1 for all participa...
Closing
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, for all participants Leader Resource 2, Come Into This Circle Affirmation Station papers from Activity 4, Celebration Centering table and cloth Chalice, candle and matches Roses Optional: A piano or a recorde...
Leader Reflection and Planning
From A Place of Wholeness

Talk with your co-leader about the workshop. What do you think went well? What might you have done differently? Did you learn anything about your working relationship or how you lead an activity? What has changed since you led the first workshop together? How does it feel to be finished with this...
Faith In Action: Sharing A Place of Wholeness
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 45 minutes Materials for Activity Cake, popcorn or other treats to eat Beverages A copy of the story from each workshop in the program Newsprint and markers Preparation for Activity For the week before this activity, write the names of the stories from the program on a piece of...
Alternate Activity 1: Future Path
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, one sheet per participant Markers, colored pencils and crayons Preparation for Activity Lay out the markers, colored pencils and crayons....
Alternate Activity 2: Painted Stones
From A Place of Wholeness

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Smooth stones about 3 to 4 inches in diameter Acrylic paint, assorted colors Small paint brushes Newspaper or other material to cover tables Handout 1, Responsive Reading - Five Smooth Stones, from Workshop 1 for all participants Preparation for...
Taking It Home: Wholeness
From A Place of Wholeness

The mechanics of the Mobius strip are mysterious, but its message clear: whatever is inside us continually flows outward to help form, or deform, the world — and whatever is outside us continually flows inward to help form, or deform, our lives. — Parker Palmer, Quaker educator and spiritual...
The Woodcarver
From A Place of Wholeness

"The Woodcarver" by Thomas Merton, from The Way of Chuang Tzu, copyright (C) 1965 by The Abbey of Gethsemani. Reprinted by permission of New Directions Publishing Corp.Khing, the master carver, made a bell stand Of precious wood. When it was finished, All who saw it were astounded....
Handout 1: Community of Wholeness Scenarios
From A Place of Wholeness

My name is Sue and I am about to give birth to twins. How can I be supported in the wholeness of our community? My name is Stan and my wife of 55 years just passed away. How can I be supported in the wholeness of our community? My name is Stephanie and I think I might have a drinking problem. How...
Leader Resource 1: Mobius Strip
From A Place of Wholeness

Image by David Benbennick from Wikimedia Common....
Leader Resource 2: Come Into This Circle

Andrew Pakula

From A Place of Wholeness

Come into this circle of community. Come into this sacred space. Be not tentative. Bring your whole self! Bring the joy that makes your heart sing. Bring your kindness and your compassion. Bring also your sorrow, your pain. Bring your brokenness and your disappointments....
Find Out More
From A Place of Wholeness

Wholeness: The author Parker Palmer has written a wonderful book called A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward An Undivided Life (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004). He uses the metaphor of the Mobius strip to better understand how we can live in the world....