Workshop 5: Money and Society

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

It’s easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing—that’s the Lord’s test. — Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer This workshop focuses on economic justice and economic class to explore ways money and wealth shape our individual choices and actions in…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity Minutes Opening 15 Activity 1: What Would You Do? 40 Activity 2: Guided Meditation 10 Activity 3: Creative Response 20 Faith in Action: Food Insecurity in Your Community Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: TED Talk – Income Inequality 25 Alternate Activity 2: Inequality for All 120…
Spiritual Preparation
From The Wi$dom Path

What is your understanding of classism? When have you experienced or observed classism in your local community? In your congregation? Are there assumptions made in your congregation that members have a certain amount of economic privilege or that they are middle class?…
Opening
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle A chime or a small bell Newsprint, markers, and tape Story, The Daydreamer Several objects for the centering table suggestive of dreams, such as a dream catcher, a starfish, a rainbow-colo…
Activity 1: What Would You Do?
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, What Would You Do? Profile Cards Leader Resource 2, What Would You Do? Situation Cards A timepiece Optional: Chime or small bell Preparation for Activity Print the leader resources (optional: use two…
Activity 2: Guided Meditation
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Guided Meditation Meditative music and a music player Chime or small bell Preparation for Activity Practice reading Leader Resource 3, Guided Meditation, aloud several times….
Activity 3: Creative Response
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Paper, pens, and markers Art supplies such as clay (play dough), beads, “jewels” (items from nature such as seed, nuts, dried leaves and flowers), colored paper, yarn, chenille stems, stickers, play money, fabric…
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 Preparation for Activity Customize Taking It Home and make copies for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute Taking It Home. Invite everyone to form a…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From The Wi$dom Path

Make time for reflection and discussion with your co-facilitator after the conclusion of the workshop. 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? What could be done to make…
Faith In Action: Food Insecurity in Your Community
From The Wi$dom Path

Preparation for Activity Contact local food banks or food redistribution services and find out about volunteer opportunities they have for children, youth, and adults. Work with your religious educator and other congregational leaders to gain support for a multigenerational service project….
Alternate Activity 1: TED Talk – Income Inequality
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Downloadable video of the TED Talk by Richard Wilkinson, “How Economic Inequality Harms Societies” (16:55) A computer with a projection screen, digital projector, and speakers or a large monitor Preparation for Activity Download and preview the…
Alternate Activity 2: Inequality for All
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 120 minutes Materials for Activity Inequality for All, a documentary film by Robert Reich (85:00) A computer with a projection screen, digital projector, and speakers or a large monitor Preparation for Activity Obtain the video, which may be purchased or rented through the Inequali…
Taking It Home: Money and Society
From The Wi$dom Path

It’s easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing—that’s the Lord’s test. — Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer Look up census and other demographic data related to poverty in your state or local community. Are you surprised by what you learn? Talk…
The Daydreamer
From The Wi$dom Path

Adapted from a traditional folk tale from India. Once upon a time long ago there was a man who made his living selling oil. He filled up large pots and went from village to village selling the precious liquid to all who were interested. In fact, business was going so well, he decided he needed an…
Leader Resource 1: What Would You Do? Profile Cards
From The Wi$dom Path

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 2: What Would You Do? Situation Cards
From The Wi$dom Path

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 3: Guided Meditation
From The Wi$dom Path

Let’s take some time to relax and allow our imaginations to stretch. Guided meditation is a way of focusing so that your innermost thoughts and memories can come to the surface of your mind. Sometimes, but not always, a guided meditation will invite new insights or excite your imagination in ways…
Find Out More
From The Wi$dom Path

Delegates at the 2014 General Assembly in Providence, RI, selected “Escalating Inequality” to be the 2014-2018 Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations….