Workshop 1: Toward a Rich and Meaningful Unitarian Universalist Spirituality

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Part of Spirit in Practice: Ten Workshops for Unitarian Universalist Adults

In This Section

Introduction
From Spirit in Practice

The things that are holy and sacred in this life are neither stored away on mountaintops nor locked away in arcane secrets of the saints. I doubt that any church has a monopoly on them either. What holiness there is in this world resides in the ordinary bonds between us and in whatever bonds we…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Spirit in Practice

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 5 Activity 1: Sharing Names 5 Activity 2: Singing “Gathered Here” 5 Activity 3: The Story of the Wandering Teacher 10 Activity 4: Introduction to Spirit in Practice 15 Activity 5: Naming Our Experiences 15 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Filling I…
Spiritual Preparation
From Spirit in Practice

Leaders are encouraged to prepare for the workshop not only by gathering supplies and reviewing the workshop’s activities, but also by practicing centering, prayer, or meditation….
Welcoming and Entering
From Spirit in Practice

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet (see Preparation) Pen or pencil Name tags Bold markers Copies of Spirit in Practice Series Schedule (see Preparation) Workshop agenda listed on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation) Optional: Computer and digital projector Optional: Microphone…
Opening
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Matches or lighter Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook (one per person) Optional: Microphone Preparation for Activity Set up the altar or…
Activity 1: Sharing Names
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Microphone (preferably cordless) Preparation for Activity Be sure that participants have made name tags. If they have not, you may pass around name tag materials while participants introduce themselves. Description of Activity Introduce…
Activity 2: Singing "Gathered Here"
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity If desired, list the lyrics of “Gathered Here” on newsprint or a digital slide and display them at the appropriate time. Arrange for musical accompaniment if you believe it will be necessary for singing “Gathered Here.” The song can work well a…
Activity 3: The Story Of The Wandering Teacher
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Story 1: The Wandering Teacher (one copy for facilitator, plus a several copies for participants who may wish to read along) Optional: Microphone Optional: Pulpit or lectern Optional: Bell Preparation for Activity Review the story in adva…
Activity 4: Introduction To Spirit In Practice
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Handout 2: Eight Spheres of Spiritual Growth (one per participant) Group guidelines listed on newsprint or a digital slide (see Preparation) Optional: Computer and digital projector Optional: Microphone Optional: Lectern or pulpit from wh…
Activity 5: Naming Our Experiences
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint pad Easel Markers for writing on newsprint Optional: Microphone Preparation for Activity Arrange the newsprint pad, easel, and markers for use during the activity….
Closing
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Altar or centering table Cloth for covering altar or centering table Chalice and candle Chalice extinguisher Copies of customized Taking It Home handout (see Preparation) Optional: Microphone Preparation for Activity Review the Taking It Home sectio…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Spirit in Practice

After the workshop, co-leaders should make a time to get together to evaluate this workshop and plan future workshops. Use these questions to guide your shared reflection and planning: What were some of our favorite moments of the workshop? What were some of our most challenging moments?…
Alternate Activity 1: Filling In The Spheres
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Eight sheets of newsprint Scissors Markers Wall space or table space for placing circles of newsprint Optional: Low-stick masking tape Optional: Large (5 x 7 in.) self-stick notes Optional: Leader Resource 1: A Partial List of Possible Spiritual…
Alternate Activity 2: Introduction To Journaling
From Spirit in Practice

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint Easel Markers Optional: Pens or pencils (at least one per participant) Optional: Sheets of writing paper (at least three per participant) or notebooks that can be used as spiritual practice journals (one per participant) Optional: Microph…
Taking It Home: Toward a Rich and Meaningful Unitarian Universalist Spirituality
From Spirit in Practice

Share the “Eight Spheres of Spiritual Growth” model with a friend, housemate, or family member. Talk about the kinds of spiritual practices you have engaged in and those you wish to learn more about, and ask the same of your conversation partner. If you have children in your life, discuss…
The Wandering Teacher
From Spirit in Practice

Once upon a time there was a Teacher who was known far and wide as one who had mastered all the great disciplines of a spiritual seeker. She wandered the country, and whenever people heard she was near, they traveled to seek her wisdom and her guidance. …
Handout 1: Spirit in Practice Series Schedule
From Spirit in Practice

[Add location of workshops] WORKSHOP 1: Toward a Rich and Meaningful Unitarian Universalist Spirituality [Date and Time] WORKSHOP 2: Personal Spiritual Practices [Date and Time] WORKSHOP 3: Communal Worship Practices [Date and Time] WORKSHOP 4: Spiritual Partnerships [Date and Time] WORKSHOP 5: M…
Handout 2: Eight Spheres of Spiritual Growth
From Spirit in Practice

Personal Spiritual Practices: These are practices done alone and, perhaps, daily—such as meditation, dream work, journaling, prayer, and so on. They’re what most people think of when they hear the words “spiritual practice.” Communal Worship Practices: Although Unitarian Universalists affirm…
Leader Resource 1: A Partial List of Possible Spiritual Practices
From Spirit in Practice

journaling meditation UU prayer beads fasting peace vigils listening to a friend listening to music serving on the congregation’s Board of Trustees needlepoint antiracism work writing letters to the editor painting therapy volunteering in the community cardio kickboxing bath time with your kids…
Find Out More
From Spirit in Practice

Spirituality and Practice: Resources for Spiritual Journeys Zen Mountain Monastery’s Eight Gates Training Program The Council on Spiritual Practices Alexander, Scott, ed.