Workshop 1: Covenant

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Principled Commitment: A Program for Unitarian Universalist Couples

In This Section

Introduction
From Principled Commitment

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,…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Principled Commitment

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…
Spiritual Preparation
From Principled Commitment

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?…
Welcoming and Entering
From Principled Commitment

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…
Opening
From Principled Commitment

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…
Activity 1: Participant Introductions
From Principled Commitment

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….
Activity 2: Getting Acquainted
From Principled Commitment

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 3: Program Overview
From 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 4: Expectations
From Principled Commitment

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 5: Housekeeping
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 9: Refreshment Sign-up Sheet Pen or pencil Preparation for Activity Research your site to learn which bathrooms are accessible for people with physical disabilities and/or transgender identities. Prepare a copy of Leader Resource 9,…
Activity 6: Group Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2: Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources (already in participants’ folders) Handout 4: Suggested Group Covenant (already in participants’ folders) Newsprint sheet with suggested group covenant (see Preparation) Easel Markers Optiona…
Activity 7: Couple Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 5: Couple Covenant Worksheet (already in participants’ folders) Pens or pencils (one per participant) Tables or hard surfaces for writing Preparation for Activity Set up tables, or find books or other hard surfaces for writing….
Closing
From Principled Commitment

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….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Principled Commitment

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?…
Alternate Activity 1: Faith In Action - Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Written examples of covenants from your congregation (one copy per participant) (see Preparation) Blank paper (at least one sheet per small group) Pencils or pens (at least one per small group) Preparation for Activity Ask various groups in the…
Alternate Activity 2: Sharing Couple Stories
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 30 minutes Description of Activity This activity can replace Activity 2, Getting Acquainted, or can be used in addition to Activity 2. Invite each couple to introduce themselves as a couple. They may wish to tell the group who they are, how long they’ve been together, where they’ve…
Alternate Activity 3: Extended Discussion Of Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity See Activity 7 Preparation for Activity See Activity 7 Description of Activity This activity allows additional time for Activity 7’s discussion of the couple covenant….
Taking It Home: Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Affection Connection — Covenant Extend your exploration of covenants by trying one or more of these activities on your own. For Couples: Reviewing Your Covenant Take some time to review your couple covenant together. Discuss how an outsider might observe your relationship if the covenant is…
Handout 1: Getting Acquainted
From Principled Commitment
Handout 2: Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources
From Principled Commitment

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: …
Handout 3: Workshop Descriptions and Schedule
From Principled Commitment

Our relationships can be reflections of our faith in the universe, in people, and in each other. As Unitarian Universalists, the seven Principles can be lights for us, guiding and illuminating our interactions. They can be values we affirm religiously and personally, as individuals and as couples.
Handout 4: Suggested Group Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Together, we covenant to explore and nurture healthy communication with our partners and others in our group. We will: Listen with an open mind and open heart Recognize each couple as being made up of two different people, each with his/her own perspective Respect the privacy of our fellow…
Handout 5: Couple Covenant Worksheet
From Principled Commitment

Communicating with a partner begins with appropriate effort and intention. This worksheet is designed to aid in that communication. Words from a covenant we have made in the past: ________________________________________________________________…
Leader Resource 1: Promoting The Program
From Principled Commitment

The following sample promotional materials can help you attract workshop participants. Sample Congregation Newsletter Announcement Love is usually credited as the basis for a healthy relationship, but other qualities are needed as well: generosity, collaboration, and play, to name a few. These…
Leader Resource 2: Sample Registration Form
From Principled Commitment

Principled Commitment is designed for partners’ joint participation — individuals, whether partnered or not, cannot participate alone. We welcome participation by people of all physical abilities. Our Unitarian Universalist congregation is wheelchair accessible. Let us know in advance if you will…
Leader Resource 3: Sample Welcome Letter
From Principled Commitment

This letter may be mailed or e-mailed to participants ahead of time. Dear , Thank you for your interest in the Principled Commitment workshop series. We look forward to meeting you at the first workshop, which will begin promptly at on in the . Because the workshop discussions and activities are…
Leader Resource 4: Leading Principled Commitment as a Retreat
From Principled Commitment

The Principled Commitment workshops can be great resources for a couples’ retreat, or a short series of couples’ retreats. Using the workshops at a retreat requires adaptation. The following guidelines and sample schedules can assist you in creating an effective couples’ retreat with Principled…
Leader Resource 5: Welcoming Participants Who Are Hard Of Hearing
From Principled Commitment

These suggestions are designed to help your workshops be more welcoming and inclusive. Please refer to them as needed to adapt activities throughout the program. Hearing impairments affect people of all ages and range from mild to severe….
Leader Resource 6: Welcoming Participants Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision
From Principled Commitment

Many people who are called “blind” have some vision. Some people may be able to read large print and move about without use of a white cane or guide dog in many or all situations, may be able to perceive light and darkness, and perhaps see some colors….
Leader Resource 7: Welcoming Participants Who Have Mobility Concerns
From Principled Commitment

In the US, 1.4 million people use scooters or wheelchairs. Millions more people use crutches, walkers, braces, or canes to help them get around. People may use different mobility aids at different times. Someone who uses a wheelchair or scooter may or may not also be able to walk….
Leader Resource 8: Participant Contact Information
From Principled Commitment

Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone Email Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Address Phone E-mail Names Mailing Addr…
Leader Resource 9: Refreshment Sign-up Sheet
From Principled Commitment

DateWorkshopNames ______Covenant_________________________________________ ______Humility_________________________________________ ______Trust_________________________________________ ______Dignity_________________________________________ ______Generosity_________________________________________…
Leader Resource 10: Order Of Service - Covenant
From Principled Commitment

Follow this Order of Service as you lead the opening of Workshop 1: Covenant. Welcome Chalice Lighting Principle Reading Guided Meditation Poem Closing Words Welcome Welcome participants. Explain that in these workshops, participants will have an opportunity to explore many aspects of healthy,…
Find Out More
From Principled Commitment

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…

Download all of Principled Commitment (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Covenant

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