Workshop 7: Utopianism Part of Resistance and Transformation In This Section Introduction From Resistance and Transformation Those of us who are alive in these times have a clear and evident mission. We have a compelling moral purpose that can direct our lives and our energies: We are about saving the world. So what is our part? The place is to begin at home- that is, with ourselves.... Workshop-at-a-Glance From Resistance and Transformation Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 15 Activity 1: Utopianism and Apocalypticism 25 Activity 2: Brook Farm — A Utopian Experiment 20 Activity 3: Utopianism, Apocalypticism, and Environmentalism 20 Faith in Action: Contemporary Utopian Movements Closing 10 Alternate Activity 1: Your... Spiritual Preparation From Resistance and Transformation After reading the workshop plan, consider any experiences you have had with a utopian community. Have you ever been part of a cooperative living arrangement (even a temporary one, such as a summer community, a dormitory experience, or a youth conference)? What was it like? Did it have a lasting... 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), and bold markers Copies of Workshop 1, Handout 1, Schedule Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Have copies of Workshop 1, Handout 1, Schedule on hand for those who need one.... 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: Utopianism and Apocalyptism From Resistance and Transformation Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism Preparation for Activity Read Handout 1 and copy it for all participants. Description of Activity Distribute Handout 1, Utopianism and Apocalypticism. Allow participants a few... Activity 2: Brook Farm - A Utopian Experiment From Resistance and Transformation Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Brook Farm" Preparation for Activity Read the story and arrange with three or four volunteers to read it aloud to the group. Assign each volunteer a section of the story and give all the volunteers a copy of the story in advance.... Activity 3: Utopianism, Apocalyptism, and Environmentalism From Resistance and Transformation Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Leader Resource 1, Environmentalism Quotes Preparation for Activity Print out Leader Resource 1 and cut the five quotes apart. Arrange for five volunteers to read the quotes aloud.... Closing From Resistance and Transformation Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Worship or centering table and chalice Participant journals Writing materials, including paper, pens, pencils, color pencils, and markers Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Customize the Taking It Home section of this workshop and copy... 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: Contemporary Utopian Movements From Resistance and Transformation Description of Activity Home schooling is gaining popularity in some Unitarian Universalist communities. It could be argued that the home school movement is a type of utopian movement. Do you agree with this? If so, why? Do you home school? Does someone else in your congregation? Organize a... Alternate Activity 1: Your Utopian Community From Resistance and Transformation Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper, at least 12x18 inches, for all participants Pens, pencils, crayons, and markers Timepiece (minutes) A bell or chime Preparation for Activity Assure there is ample table space for each person to draw.... Taking It Home From Resistance and Transformation Those of us who are alive in these times have a clear and evident mission. We have a compelling moral purpose that can direct our lives and our energies: We are about saving the world. So what is our part? The place is to begin at home—that is, with ourselves. Notice what is life-denying and... Brook Farm From Resistance and Transformation Brook Farm is probably the best known of the three utopian communities started by Unitarians or Universalists in the mid 19th century.... Handout 1: Utopianism and Apocalypticism From Resistance and Transformation Whether implicitly or explicitly, much of radical political thought falls within established patterns of either utopian or apocalyptic thought. Utopian thinkers believe a better society can be created in a particular place and time.... Leader Resource 1: Environmentalism Quotes From Resistance and Transformation (Humankind) ...has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall... (and) ...will end by destroying the earth. — Albert Schweitzer __________________________________________________________ We need to develop a sense of gratitude so deep that we are willing to consider our every action—large or... Find Out More From Resistance and Transformation See the online Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography entries on Brook Farm and George Ripley. UU Ministry for Earth is an affiliate organization of the UUA whose purpose is to inspire, facilitate and support personal, congregational and denominational practices that honor and sustain... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Resistance and Transformation NEXT: Introduction Download all of Resistance and Transformation (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.