Workshop 11: Forgiveness

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Virtue Ethics: An Ethical Development Program for High School Youth

In This Section

Introduction
From Virtue Ethics

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. — Mahatma Gandhi This workshop focuses on forgiveness, of both others and oneself. A story demonstrates how forgiveness helps the individual who does the forgiving, at least as much as it helps the forgiven. Goals This…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Virtue Ethics

Activity Minutes Opening 15 Activity 1: Story – A Path to Forgiveness 10 Activity 2: Up Side, Down Side 10 Activity 3: Forgiveness Maze 25 Activity 4: Dilemma 10 Activity 5: Practice 15 Faith in Action: Creating a Ritual Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Virtue Ethics

Novelist Faith Baldwin wrote, “I think one should forgive and remember……
Opening
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Group covenant (Workshop 1) Optional: Bicycle Rack newsprint sheet (Workshop 1) Optional: Alternate Activity 1, Real Life Challenges Preparation for Activity R…
A Path of Forgiveness

Shelley Jackson Denham

From Virtue Ethics

This is the story of Azim Khamisa. His decision to forgive deeds many would consider unforgiveable has inspired and transformed people all over the world. Azim, an international investment banker, lived in San Diego, with his two children, a son, Tariq, and a daughter, Tasreen. One night in 1995,…
Activity 1: Story - A Path to Forgiveness
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “A Path to Forgiveness” Preparation for Activity Read the story so you can present it effectively. Optional: Copy the story for all participants. Description of Activity The group hears and discusses a true story about forgiveness. Introduce…
Activity 2: Up Side, Down Side
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post two sheets of newsprint, one labeled “Forgiveness: Up Side,” the other labeled “Forgiveness: Down Side.” Post a third sheet, headed “Does forgiveness mean……
Activity 3: Forgiveness Maze
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Handouts 1-2, Maze Pencils and erasers Highlighters or erasable color pencils Preparation for Activity Read the instructions on Handout 1 carefully. Make a sample maze to show the youth. Copy Handouts 1-2, Maze, for all participants. Description of…
Activity 4: Dilemma
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Forgiveness Dilemmas Preparation for Activity Print the Leader Resource for yourself and volunteer readers. Description of Activity Youth discuss scenarios involving ethical dilemmas. Seek a volunteer to read each of the two…
Activity 5: Practice
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Participants’ journals, and writing instruments Participants’ clipboards with anklets (Workshop 1, Activity 3, Practice) Beads, and waterproof markers and/or other decorations Extra clipboards and string/hemp, and scissors Preparation for Activity …
Closing
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section and copy for all participants….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Virtue Ethics

Reflect on the workshop with your co-leader. After today, only the closing workshop remains. How do you feel about the way the program has progressed? Read the next workshop for any advance preparation needed and decide who will be responsible for what….
Faith In Action: Creating a Ritual
From Virtue Ethics

Description of Activity Youth create a simple forgiveness ritual and share it with others. If you have a group that is creative or has quite a bit of worship experience, they might enjoy the challenge of creating a ritual around forgiveness. The ritual could involve a meditation. Use Activity 3,…
Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges
From Virtue Ethics

Materials for Activity “Bicycle Rack” newsprint sheet from Opening Description of Activity Youth discuss ethical challenges they have faced. If someone shared an experience in check-in or during any workshop activities that the group would like to explore further, do so now. This could be…
Alternate Activity 2: Story - How Coyote Lost His Song, Music and Dance
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “How Coyote Lost His Song, Music, and Dance” Optional: Costumes and props Preparation for Activity Print the story “How Coyote Lost His Song, Music, and Dance” and copy for all who will need to use it as a script….
Taking It Home: Forgiveness
From Virtue Ethics

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. — Mahatma Gandhi IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… we talked about forgiveness—of others and of ourselves. We envisioned forgiveness as a path instead of a finite act and identified doorways and road blocks along the way. We…
Handout 1: Maze
From Virtue Ethics

1. Create a list of doorways: Actions or thoughts that help you to forgive others and yourself. 2. Create a list of road blocks: Actions or thoughts that hinder you in forgiving others or yourself. 3. Create your maze. 4. How many doorways are on your list? That is how many openings you should…
Handout 2: Maze
From Virtue Ethics

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 1: Forgiveness Dilemmas
From Virtue Ethics

Dilemma 1 Alex is spreading rumors about you. You would LOVE to start rumors about Alex, but you know that is wrong. Besides, it would not really fix anything. C.J., the popular youth at school that just stopped dating popular Alex, starts spreading rumors about Alex. Alex approaches you after…
Find Out More
From Virtue Ethics

The Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. Read more about the meaning and practice of Yom Kippur in the Tapestry of Faith program Building Bridges, Workshop 5, or on the Judaism101Tariq Khamsa Foundation. The Tao of Forgiveness, by William Martin (New York: Penguin,…