Workshop 1: Theology and Worship

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of The New UU

In This Section

Introduction to Workshop 1: Theology and Worship
From The New UU

It behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming. — Ralph Waldo Emerson This workshop introduces the entire program and introduces participants to one another. It is an opportunity to deepen relationships while learning more about Unitarian Universalism.
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From The New UU

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 2 Activity 1: Introductions through Sentence Starters 10 Activity 2: Introducing The New UU 15 Activity 3: Cathedral of the World 20 Activity 4: Worship in Our Congregation 40 Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: The Big Questions 30 Alternate Activity…
Spiritual Preparation
From The New UU

Consider how you initially came to your congregation. Did you grow up in this congregation? Did you grow up as a Unitarian Universalist in a different congregation? Did you come to Unitarian Universalism as an adult?…
Welcoming and Entering
From The New UU

Materials for Activity Name tags, durable or single use Bold markers Paper and pen/pencil for sign-up sheet Small table Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Create a sign-up sheet with columns for name, address, phone, and email information and place it on the table….
Opening
From The New UU

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, for all participants Chalice, candle, and lighter or an LED battery-operated candle Appropriate stand or small table for the chalice Cloth or decorative covering for chalic…
Activity 1: Introductions through Sentence Starters
From The New UU

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Sentence Starters Small basket or bowl Preparation for Activity Follow the instructions on Leader Resource 1, Sentence Starters, to prepare the sentence starters….
Activity 2: Introducing The New UU
From The New UU

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Summary of Workshops Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Adapt Handout 1, Summary of Workshops, by adding dates for your workshops. Copy for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1, Summary of…
Activity 3: Cathedral of the World
From The New UU

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Cathedral of the World” Preparation for Activity Copy the story “Cathedral of the World” for facilitators and participants. Prepare to present the story. Practice reading it aloud to capture the images and cadences. Description of Activity…
Activity 4: Worship in Our Congregation
From The New UU

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity A typical Order of Service, or a list of the regular elements of a worship service at your congregation Leader Resource 2, Elements of Worship Newsprint, markers, and tape Bell or gong, and a timepiece (minutes) Preparation for Activity Copy the Or…
Closing
From The New UU

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition for all participants Preparation for Activity Determine whether you will sing the song or do the reading. If you will sing, decide whether to find an accompanist or if you can lead the song. Description of…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From The New UU

Review with your co-facilitator(s) how each activity went. What worked well? What might you do differently another time? Review the Parking Lot questions. Have any of them already been answered? Determine which of the unanswered questions will naturally fall under later workshops. How might you…
Alternate Activity 1: The Big Questions
From The New UU

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Unitarian Universalist Sources Leader Resource 3, Common Views Among Unitarian Universalists Bell or gong, and timepiece (minutes) Pencils or pens Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Make copies of Handout 2, Unitarian…
Alternate Activity 2: Diversity of Beliefs within Unitarian Universalism
From The New UU

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Clear a large space or move to a different space where people can move freely in the room. Description of Activity Introduce the activity with these or similar words: We’re going to demonstrate to ourselves the breadth found in Unitarian…
Alternate Activity 3: Review of the Hymnbook
From The New UU

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, for all participants Handout 2, Unitarian Universalist Sources Preparation for Activity Make copies of Handout 2, Unitarian Universalist Sources. Spend time familiarizing…
Cathedral of the World

Forrest Church

From The New UU

Excerpted from Cathedral of the World. Copyright 2009 by Forrest Church. Reprinted by permission of Beacon Press, Boston. Imagine awaking one morning from a deep and dreamless sleep to find yourself in the nave of a vast cathedral….
Handout 1: Summary of Workshops
From The New UU

WORKSHOP TITLE DATE Workshop 1 Theology and Worship Workshop 2 Where Do We Come From? Unitarian Universalist Roots Workshop 3 How We Grow in Faith — Philosophy of Religious Education Workshop 4 Social Justice Philosophy and Practice Workshop 5 How Are Decisions Made?…
Handout 2: Unitarian Universalist Sources
From The New UU

The living tradition we share draws from many Sources: …
Leader Resource 1: Sentence Starters
From The New UU

Print out the incomplete sentences, enlarged to at least 16-point type. Cut the pages into strips, with one incomplete sentence on each strip. Select sentences most appropriate to your congregation. Fold strips of paper and put them in a small basket or bowl. Provide a few more than the number of…
Leader Resource 2: Elements of Worship
From The New UU

…
Leader Resource 3: Common Views Among Unitarian Universalists
From The New UU

BIBLE Both Unitarianism and Universalism grew out of Christianity. Early Unitarians and Universalists took the Bible seriously, though rarely literally. While we continue to see it as a rich resource of stories and wisdom, most Unitarian Universalists do not see the Bible as authoritative on its…
Find Out More
From The New UU

Visit the Who We Are section of the UUA website. Take a look at the UU World magazine online or in hard copy. Explore the variety of brochures on Unitarian Universalism at your congregation. Check out these books in your congregation’s library or from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop: Church,…

Download all of The New UU (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Theology and Worship

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