Workshop 3: Cultural Lessons about Money and Wealth

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of The Wi$dom Path, Adults: Money, Spirit, and Life

In This Section

Introduction
From The Wi$dom Path

Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo… …but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. — Oprah Winfrey
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity Minutes Opening 10 Activity 1: The Messages of Our Culture(s) 25 Activity 2: Religious Messages about Money and Wealth 20 Activity 3: What Is Financial Virtue? 20 Activity 4: Unitarian Universalist “Good News” about Money and Wealth 10 Faith in Action: Money Values and Virtues in…
Spiritual Preparation
From The Wi$dom Path

Take time to reflect on your position in the world and how it influences your interpretations, values, and understanding of money and wealth: Where do you live and where have you lived in your life? What is your race and/or ethnicity? What is your social and economic status now? What was it at…
Opening
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or an LED/battery-operated candle A chime or a small bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: An object to pass from speaker to speaker during discussion…
Activity 1: The Messages of Our Culture(s)
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Large sheet of mural paper Color markers and/or paints and brushes Newsprint, markers, and tape Music player and instrumental selections Optional: An object to pass from speaker to speaker during discussion…
Activity 2: Religious Messages about Money and Wealth
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Religious Messages about Money and Wealth Pens and/or pencils Newsprint, markers, and tape Mural from Activity 1 Preparation for Activity Write on newsprint and post the following instructions: Circle teachings that are familiar to you….
Activity 3: What Is Financial Virtue?
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Approaches to Financial Virtue Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 1, Approaches to Financial Virtue. Make copies for all participants plus one extra….
Activity 3: Unitarian Universalist “Good News” about Money and Wealth
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post a sheet of newsprint titled “UU Good News about Money and Wealth.” Description of Activity Lead a discussion asking: If you were invited to preach a Unitarian Universalist “gospel,” or…
Closing
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Taking It Home handout A copy of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Preparation for Activity Customize Taking It Home and make copies for all participants.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From The Wi$dom Path

Make time for individual reflection and discussion with your co-facilitator. Consider these questions: What worked well in today’s workshop? How can these elements or approaches be repeated or amplified in the future? What was most challenging?…
Faith In Action: Money Values and Virtues in Congregational Life
From The Wi$dom Path

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Recent sermons, newsletters, and other congregational materials in which money is a significant topic Preparation for Activity Ask the minister, the worship committee chair, or another appropriate person to help you identify recent times in the…
Alternate Activity 1: Contemporary UU Pulpit Messages
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Contemporary Unitarian Universalist Pulpit Messages Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Writing paper and pens Preparation for Activity Review Handout 2, Contemporary Unitarian Universalist Pulpit Messages. If possible, before this…
Taking It Home: Cultural Lessons about Money and Wealth
From The Wi$dom Path

Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo… …but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. — Oprah Winfrey
Handout 1: Religious Messages about Money and Wealth
From The Wi$dom Path

Unitarian Universalist Teaching From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and from this we live. Singing the Living Tradition #402 Generosity…is one of the spiritual values we recognize as central to our personal and our institutional well-being. Victoria Weinstein…
Handout 2: Contemporary Unitarian Universalist Pulpit Messages
From The Wi$dom Path

From “Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later” by Rev. Dr. Michael A. Schuler (July 4, 2010) In the long run, it seems obvious that no one “owns” anything. Evidence suggests that we are all mortal beings and whatever we manage to accumulate will, in the end, belong to someone else… [One family] gladly…
Leader Resource 1: Approaches to Financial Virtue
From The Wi$dom Path

Terry (the aspiring ascetic) I’ve come to feel that money is a part of my life that distracts from the more important things. I care more about people than things, and this priority is an important part of practicing my faith. I try to make do with less, when I can. I make small efforts. I see so…
Find Out More
From The Wi$dom Path

These books offer insight about matching one’s financial behavior to one’s values: George Kinder, Seven Steps of Money Maturity: Understanding the Spirit and Value of Money in Your Life (New York: Dell, 2000). Joe Dominguez, Vicki Robin, and Monique Tilrod, Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to…

Download all of The Wi$dom Path (Word) to edit and print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 3: Cultural Lessons about Money and Wealth

Tapestry is Sunsetting

Shop Books & Gifts

Homes for Living The Fight for Social Housing and a New American Commons

Get Inspired for Worship

The Love's the Thing

Find Faith Development Tools

Authentic Selves