Workshop 1: Introductions

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Resistance and Transformation: Unitarian Universalist Social Justice History

In This Section

Introduction
From Resistance and Transformation

I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one… And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice. — Theodore Parker, 19th-century Unitarian minister and abolitionist This workshop invites leaders and participants to get to know one another, introduces the themes…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 15 Activity 1: Covenant 10 Activity 2: The Good Samaritan Dilemma 25 Activity 3: How Do We Respond? 25 Activity 4: Journaling 10 Faith in Action: Inspiring Stories Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Our Work 20…
Spiritual Preparation
From Resistance and Transformation

Hear your commission to love, to create community, and to heal. One at a time in personal relationships, ten at a time in covenant groups, hundreds at a time in our congregations, hundreds of thousands at a time in our religious movement, millions at a time as we take our commission deeper and…
Welcoming and Entering
From Resistance and Transformation

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) Bold markers Handout 1, Schedule Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Make a sign-in sheet for the workshop….
Opening
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle Timepiece (minutes) Chime or bell Copies of Singing the Living Tradition, the UUA hymnbook, for all participants Optional: Cloth for worship/centering table…
Activity 1: Covenant
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Prepare a list of the elements of covenant you would like to suggest as the facilitator. You might consider: Start and end on time. Practice respectful dialogue. Honor diversity of opinion and…
Activity 2: The Good Samaritan Dilemma
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A copy of the story “The Good Samaritan” Preparation for Activity Read the story “The Good Samaritan” and prepare to read or tell it to the group….
Activity 3: How Do We Respond?
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story “The Good Samaritan” Talking stick or other small object for passing, one for each small group A chime Timepiece (minutes) Description of Activity Say, in your own words: Now that we have created a list of ideals and explored so…
Activity 4: Journaling
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A journal for each participant Pens and pencils Preparation for Activity Obtain journals. These can be simple, inexpensive notebooks, but should be sturdy enough for participants to tape/glue items to the pages. Description of Activity Distribute…
Closing
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table and chalice Participant journals Copies of Singing the Living Tradition for all participants Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Customize the Taking It Home section of this workshop and copy for all participants.
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Resistance and Transformation

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What did not? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Review the next workshop. Are there any questions to research or logistics to arrange between workshops? Make a…
Faith In Action: Inspiring Stories
From Resistance and Transformation

Preparation for Activity Invite three or four activist members of your congregation to join a panel and share their stories of why they are involved in social justice work, what they do, and how their social justice work reflects their Unitarian Universalist faith….
Alternate Activity 1: Our Work
From Resistance and Transformation

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Index cards and pens/pencils Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Find out about social action projects in which the congregation is currently involved. Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity Hand out the index cards, asking…
Taking It Home: Introductions
From Resistance and Transformation

I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one… And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice. — Theodore Parker, 19th-century Unitarian minister and abolitionist Reflect on your reasons for participating in this workshop series. What do you hope to learn or…
The Good Samaritan
From Resistance and Transformation

A retelling of Christian scripture (Luke 10: 25- 37). A lawyer asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “What is in the law? What do you read there?” The lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your…
Handout 1: Schedule
From Resistance and Transformation

DATE and TIME Workshop 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16….
Find Out More
From Resistance and Transformation

On the website of the Unitarian Universalist Association, read “Inspired Faith, Effective Action: A Social Justice Workbook for Congregations” and find links to social justice resources and information on Unitarian Universalist social justice organizations. Richard Gilbert’s book T… Prophetic…

Download all of Resistance and Transformation (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Introductions

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