Workshop 19: Exploring Our Communities

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Building the World We Dream About

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Introduction
From Building the World We Dream About

It seems likely that the problem of the twenty-first century will be that of the multiple color lines embedded in the American social order. — Claire Jean Kim, Asian American scholar Participants bring their observations, feelings, and questions to shared reflection on the words and stories of…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: Individual Reflection 15 Activity 2: Community Field Trip Insights 20 Activity 3: Presentation and Discussion 75 Closing 10…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

Review your own notes and reflections from panel (Workshop 17) and the field trip (Workshop 18). Consider the questions in Handout 1, Reflection Questions and write responses and insights in your journal or share them with your co-facilitator.
Welcoming and Entering
From Building the World We Dream About

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) and bold markers Optional: Music and player Optional: Snacks and beverages Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle and set out name tags and markers on a table….
Opening
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle List of this workshop’s Goals Covenant established in Workshop 1 Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, enough for all…
Activity 1: Individual Reflection
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Participant journals or paper and pens/pencils Workshop 17, Handout 1, The State of Racial/Ethnic Relations at _____ [name of your congregation] Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Make a few extra copies of Workshop 17, Handout 1…
Activity 2: Community Field Trip Insights
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Reflection Questions Workshop 18, Handout 1, Field Trip and Community Walk Participant notes, photos, and artifacts from the field trip Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 1, Reflection Questions, for each…
Activity 3: Presentation and Discussion
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 75 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint lists of insights and questions from small groups Handout 1, Reflection Questions Timepiece (minutes) Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Calculate how much presentation time to allot each travel group. Aim for…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Lined paper and pens/pencils Taking It Home Handout 2, Not By Ourselves Alone Preparation for Activity Copy Taking It Home and Handout 2, Not By Ourselves Alone, for all participants….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building the World We Dream About

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What didn’t? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Do we need to make any changes in the way we work together?
Taking It Home: Exploring Our Communities
From Building the World We Dream About

It seems likely that the problem of the twenty-first century will be that of the multiple color lines embedded in the American social order. — Claire Jean Kim, Asian American scholar Read Handout 2, Not By Ourselves Alone, and reflect on the Rev. Bowens-Wheatley’s words. What images or phrases…
Handout 1: Reflection Questions
From Building the World We Dream About

Use these questions to help you reflect on your experiences, insights, and observations following the panel presentation and/or the community walk. What energizes you most about what you heard or experienced? How do you think the broader community “sees” you? What kind of relationship do you have…
Handout 2: Not By Ourselves Alone

Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley

From Building the World We Dream About

From a Birmingham Lecture, delivered March 8, 2002 in Birmingham, Alabama at the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association Convocation. Used courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. When I was younger, in my community, it was popular to end a conversation with: “Keep the…
Find Out More
From Building the World We Dream About

The UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff group offers resources, curricula, trainings, and tools to help Unitarian Universalist congregations and leaders engage in the work of antiracism, antioppression, and multiculturalism. Visit…

Download all of Building the World We Dream About (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

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Workshop 19: Exploring Our Communities

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