Workshop 6: Faith and Conflict

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition: Developing Lay Leadership

In this workshop, participants practice looking at the structures, committees, and formal and informal groups of the congregation as an inter-related, interconnected system. They will identify relational and emotional patterns within the congregation as they examine congregational changes and challenges. They consider how leaders can build the system’s health and resilience by focusing on strengthening and supporting relationships within the leadership team and with the congregation.

In This Section

Introduction
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

In this workshop, participants practice looking at the structures, committees, and formal and informal groups of the congregation as an inter-related, interconnected system. They will identify relational and emotional patterns within the congregation as they examine congregational changes and challenges.
Opening
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

Light the chalice, and share this reading from Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown: Many of us have been socialized to understand that constant growth, violent competition, and critical mass are the ways to create change.
Activity 1: Tapping Out of "Fake Fights"
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

(15 minutes) Materials Story, Tapping Out of “Fake Fights” Preparation Arrange for a participant to read Tapping Out of “Fake Fights” aloud; you might provide them with a copy of this reading in advance. Description Have the participant you chose read the story to the group. Then, point out…
Activity 2: Congregations as Systems
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

(40 minutes) Materials Handout 1, Heavenly Unitarian Universalist Congregation Optional: Handout 3, Alternate Systems Thinking Scenarios Newsprint, markers, and wall-safe tape Preparation Review this activity and Handout 1….
Activity 3: Leadership Lessons for the Real World
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

(15 minutes) Materials Handout 2, Leadership Lessons for the Real World Newsprint, markers, and wall-safe tape Preparation Copy Handout 2 for all participants. Arrange for a participant to read the handout aloud. You might provide them with a copy of it ahead of time. Title a sheet of newsprint…
Activity 4: Faith and Conflict
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

Have the group brainstorm conflicts or dilemmas facing their congregation(s) and select two or three to examine closely. Invite participants to form groups of four to six to examine an issue (either the issue that most interests them or a single issue, whichever you chose).
Faith In Action: Though a Systems Lens
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

Consider some of your congregation’s social justice projects and programs, using a systems lens. How does your congregation engage with the community? What relationships, both within and outside the congregation, comprise your congregation’s social justice system?
Closing
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

Distribute copies of Taking It Home or tell the group when you will email it. Invite participants to reflect on their own leadership style by asking, “Are there things that you plan to approach differently as a result of this workshop?”
Leader Reflection and Planning for Workshop 6
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

Consider and discuss these questions with your co-facilitator: Looking at each activity in this workshop, what worked as well as or better than you had anticipated? What did not work as well as you had anticipated?
Taking It Home: Faith and Conflict
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

…Meaningful change is hard, especially as it relates to identity and power. It raises essential questions about whose voices are heard, who is asked to take risks, how we negotiate our relationships, and what our priorities are as a community. False divisions like “political correctness”…
Alternate Activity 1: Alternate Systems Thinking Scenarios
From Harvest the Power, 2nd Edition

(45 minutes) Materials Handout 3, Alternate Systems Thinking Scenarios Newsprint, markers, and wall-safe tape Preparation Copy Handout 3 for all participants. Read Activity 2, Applying Systems Thinking, to become familiar with how to diagram a congregational issue or challenge from a systems…