Workshop 1: Beyond Diversity

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of A Chorus of Faiths, High School Youth: Unitarian Universalists as Interfaith Leaders

In This Section

Introduction
From A Chorus of Faiths

If we agree in love, there is no disagreement that can do us any injury, but if we do not, no other agreement can do us any good. Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. — Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), Universalist minister This workshop begins to tell the story of…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity Minutes Opening 8 Activity 1: Covenants 10 Activity 2: Stories of Religion 20 Activity 3: Religious Pluralism 15 Activity 4: Story — A Chorus of Faith 15 Activity 5: Stories in Our Lives 10 Activity 6: Introduction to Planning the Interfaith Service Event 10 Faith in Action: Our Living…
Spiritual Preparation
From A Chorus of Faiths

The Buddha said, “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth… not going all the way, and not starting.” Congratulations on starting! With one hurdle crossed on the path to truth, there is still the need to go “all the way.” How does that phrase make you feel? Excited?…
Opening
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Chalice, candle and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Preparation for Activity Set out name tags and markers. Set up the worship table with the…
Activity 1: Covenants
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity For your own use, list the elements of covenant you plan to suggest to the group. You might include: Start and end on time Respect the space Assume the good will of others Practice respectful…
Activity 2: Stories of Religion
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity An assortment of newspaper articles addressing religion in modern life Art materials including color pencils, markers, crayons, and old magazines to cut up, scissors, and tape or glue Plain paper, one sheet per team Preparation for Activity Read…
Activity 3: Religious Pluralism
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Religious Pluralism PowerPoint Optional: Computer and large monitor or projector and screen Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 1, Religious Pluralism PowerPoint, and display as a poster. Optional: Copy the text of…
Activity 4: Story - A Chorus of Faith
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “A Chorus of Faith” Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Sticks of Juicy Fruit(R) gum or boxes of Cracker Jack(R) caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, enough for all participants Preparation for Activity Read the story and prep…
Activity 5: Stories in Our Lives
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post a sheet of blank newsprint. Think of your favorite childhood story. Description of Activity Participants explore the role of storytelling in their lives….
Activity 6: Introduction to Planning the Interfaith Service Event
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Calendar Optional: Leader Resource 1, Religious Pluralism PowerPoint Optional: Computer and large monitor or projector and screen Preparation for Activity Purchase a large calendar you can display, ideally a laminated…
Closing
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Where Do We Come From?…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From A Chorus of Faiths

Meet with your co-leader after the workshop to reflect. Did the covenanting process go well? How was the mix of discussion and action? Were you able to “step back” as leaders? Are you able to find ways to involve all youth fully despite any limitations they might have? Is there evidence of…
Faith In Action: Our Living Tradition
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook Handout 1, Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources Optional: Between the Lines: Sources for Singing the Living Tradition Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself…
Alternate Activity 1: Video Stories of Religion
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Video clip: Trailer for CNN documentary “God’s Warriors” Video clip: Trailer for Interfaith Youth Core documentary “Exchange”…
Alternate Activity 2: Slogans and Symbols
From A Chorus of Faiths

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity Art supplies Description of Activity Participants create slogans and symbols to illustrate interfaith work….
Taking It Home: Beyond Diversity
From A Chorus of Faiths

If we agree in love, there is no disagreement that can do us any injury, but if we do not, no other agreement can do us any good. Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace. — Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), Universalist minister IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… We learned about…
A Chorus of Faith
From A Chorus of Faiths

Interfaith cooperation was in evidence over a century ago, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago (also known as the World’s Fair) in 1893. The Fair was the world’s first major theme park, offering the first Ferris wheel rides, and introducing popular treats such as Juicy Fruit(R) gum and…
Handout 1: Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources
From A Chorus of Faiths

From Article II, Section C-2.1 of the Bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity and compassion in human…
Handout 2: Where Do We Come From
From A Chorus of Faiths

“Where Do We Come From?” by Brian Tate, as included in the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Singing the Journey: A Supplement to Singing the Living Tradition. Copyright 1999 by Brian Tate. Used by permission.Lyrics Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? Sing in a three-part…
Leader Resource 1: Religious Pluralism PowerPoint
From A Chorus of Faiths

Religious Pluralism (PPT) (PDF) must be downloaded separately. It is not included in the print-out of this workshop.
Find Out More
From A Chorus of Faiths

Learn more about the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 (Paul V. Galvin Library Digital History Collection, Illinois Institute of Technology) or Erik Larsen’s book The Devil and the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America (New…

Download all of Chorus of Faith (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Beyond Diversity

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