Workshop 12: Loyalty

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

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon. — Samuel Butler, novelist This workshop focuses on loyalty. Be prepared—youth may be unfamiliar with the word and need a definition. Youth discover different types of loyalty…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Virtue Ethics

Activity Minutes Opening 15 Activity 1: Two Sides to Every Virtue 10 Activity 2: Loyalty Bingo 20 Activity 3: Story – A Church Divided 10 Activity 4: Dilemma 10 Activity 5: Practice 20 Faith in Action: My Little UU Book of Virtues 60 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Real Life Challenges Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Virtue Ethics

The story in this workshop deals with loyalty to congregation, faith, and oneself. What does this mean to you? Do you feel loyalty to your congregation? To Unitarian Universalism? If so, how does this manifest? What does this sense of loyalty stem from: Love? A need to serve? Appreciation? History?
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 Church Divided
From Virtue Ethics

Based on a 2011 interview with Reverend Howard Dana, who has been the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg’s minister since August, 2000. When you were a child, did you have a favorite toy? Maybe it was a stuffed animal, doll, or toy truck. Did it go everywhere with you: to the market, in the tub, to bed?
Activity 1: Two Sides to Every Virtue
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Participants identify positive and negative aspects of the virtue of loyalty. Invite youth to sit for a moment and think about loyalty as a virtue. Offer the Dictionary.com website definition of loyalty: “faithful adherence to a sovereign,…
Activity 2: Loyalty Bingo
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Bingo Grid Leader Resource 1, Bingo Chips A bowl or basket Pencils Bingo board markers (e.g. pennies), and (optional) bowls for youth to share Preparation for Activity Print Handout 1 for all participants, plus a few extra. Using Leader…
Activity 3: Story - A Church Divided
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “A Church Divided” Spiritual Preparation section Optional: A computer with Internet access, and a digital projector or large monitor Preparation for Activity Read the story so you can present it effectively. Do the Spiritual Preparation…
Activity 4: Dilemma
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Loyalty 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 one of the two dilemmas.
Activity 5: Practice
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape 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 sciss…
Closing
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Taking It Home Chalice lighting words (from Opening) Preparation for Activity Adapt the Taking It Home section and copy for all participants. Post the chalice lighting words….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Virtue Ethics

Reflect on the program with your co-leader. Thank one another for your presence and support. Prepare your feedback for the congregation’s religious educator, so they may use it next time your congregation offers this program.
Faith In Action: My Little UU Book of Virtues
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity A loose-leaf binder Loose-leaf paper and writing/drawing instruments Optional: The Book of Virtues by William Bennett (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995) Optional: A computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Refresh your memory of the…
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: Worship Service
From Virtue Ethics

Materials for Activity Hymnbooks, meditation manuals, and other Unitarian Universalist Association or congregational worship resources Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Arrange a date for the youth to lead or co-lead a worship service on virtue ethics. Consider inviting your…
Alternate Activity 3: Celebration
From Virtue Ethics

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Food and drink Materials produced in the previous workshops Preparation for Activity Arrange/assign food and beverages, paper goods, and other items you wish to have….
Taking It Home: Loyalty
From Virtue Ethics

Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon. — Samuel Butler, novelist IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP… we discussed loyalty. In addition to loyalty to family, friends, and institutions, we talked about loyalty to one’s congregation…
Handout 1: Bingo Grid
From Virtue Ethics
Leader Resource 1: Bingo Chips
From Virtue Ethics

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 2: Loyalty Dilemmas
From Virtue Ethics

Dilemma 1 It is the classic best friends’ dilemma: Friend A has decided that a behavior of Friend B has become intolerable and they can no longer hang out or be friends with B. They tell you (Friend C) that if you want to continue to be their friend, you need to stop associating with Friend B, too.
Leader Resource 3: Market Street Church
From Virtue Ethics

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From Virtue Ethics

Good Character is a website with examples of ethical and moral dilemmas. One that concerns loyalty is David’s story. Confucianism is heavily steeped in directives on living a virtuous life. Loyalty is one of the most important virtues to Confucius. Read more about this religion or philosophy at…