Follow this Order of Service as you lead the opening of Workshop 2, Humility.

Welcome

Chalice Lighting

Principle

Reading

Guided Meditation

Poem

Welcome

Welcome participants. Explain that this workshop is devoted to the concept of humility as the basis for honest and authentic interaction. Participants will explore how humility may be an important part of what works in their relationships and how they can enrich their connection to their partner by exploring this concept.

Chalice Lighting

Light the chalice while reading these words or other words of your choosing:

We light this chalice as a symbol of our faith: to seek truth and honesty, to build respect, and to foster greater trust among all people, beginning with ourselves. May we dedicate our time together to these purposes.

Principle

Introduce the guiding Unitarian Universalist Principle for this workshop:

We covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

Too often, relationships are thwarted by power struggles, defensiveness, competition, and gender dynamics. A healthy humility in both partners serves as an antidote to these destructive ways of relating and points the way to mutuality, which is an expression of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.

You may wish to offer a few moments of silence before proceeding to the reading.

Reading

Share the reading you have selected that relates to the second Principle. (Readings 496 and 505 in Singing the Living Tradition are suitable.)

Guided Meditation

Lead participants through the meditation to center them for the rest of the workshop. Read the words slowly, pausing between phrases.

I invite you into a time of silence. Try to sit with your spine straight, with your feet flat on the floor. Perhaps close your eyes. Take a deep breath, inhale . . . and exhale. Take another deep breath . . . and exhale. Again; this time, as you exhale, let go of all the pressures of the day. Let go of the "to dos," the "should haves". . . just let them float out of the room. You can return to them later. Take another deep breath. As you inhale, take in the energy of this place. As you exhale, let go of any tension or stress you might be feeling.

[Long pause]

Come into this place with a spirit of humility. Envision yourself relating in an open and teachable way with your partner. It is a gift you are giving each other. What does it feel like? What does it look like?

[Sit in silence for two to three minutes.]

Please maintain this spirit as I read the poem.

Poem

Read "Councils" by Marge Piercy, 585 in Singing the Living Tradition.

Sit in silence for a few moments before saying:

When you are ready, please bring your focus back into this room and join our check-in.