Ask yourself what groups, constituencies, or individuals in your congregation might consider themselves to be “on the margins.” Compare your reflections with those of other congregational leaders. Together, consider the voices that may be missing or muted as your congregation makes decisions about direction.

(25 minutes) Materials Newsprint, markers, and wall-safe tape Handout 3, The Margin, the Center Participants’ copies of Handout 2, “I” to “We”: From Individualism to Collective Identity Preparation Copy Handout 3 for all participants. Description Invite participants to remember the...

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Taking It Home handout Optional: A copy of Session 1, Leader Resource 2, Namaste Preparation for Activity Identify a place for participants to store their Window/Mirror Panels between sessions. Keep in mind, there may be times the panels are not...

Recrafted with permission of the author, Francis Dorff, O. Praem, of the Norbertine Community of Alberquerque, New Mexico, from his story, "The Rabbi's Gift," which is copyrighted by The New Catholic World magazine. Mr....

It was a hot, muggy morning. Christopher was not sure he really wanted to be out riding in a competition. His thoroughbred horse, Eastern Express, seemed a bit off, as if maybe he would rather be grazing in the field than doing the demanding work of running and jumping with a big, muscular man on...

The Love Surrounds Us program explores all the Unitarian Universalist Principles in the context of the Beloved Community of family/home, school, and neighborhood. 

Inspired by the ancient epic poem, "The Conference of the Birds," by the Persian Sufi Muslim writer Fariduddin Attar. Once upon a time, all the birds in the land decided they needed a leader for their community. A leader, they thought, would make their community stronger....

Once upon a time in Kenya, on a peaceful river near the east coast of Africa, a herd of hippopotamus was surprised by heavy rain. The rain washed them away from their river home, toward the Indian Ocean. Then came something worse. A tsunami! In the huge, windy storm the ocean waters became strong.

Adapted from a Jewish folktale from Poland In this fun and participatory story a farmer lives in a house with his wife and children and the grandparents, and it is so noisy that he thinks he will go crazy. The rabbi advises the farmer to bring his animals into his home, too. First chickens, then...

Several years ago, I spent an evening discussing Covenant Groups with members of a New England church who were interested in starting a small group ministry program....

The Highlander Research and Education Center is an 80-year-old popular education center in the mountains of East Tennessee, which serves as a catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement-building in Appalachia and the South....

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Common Vision Survey Responses A basket or bowl to pass around Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 3, Common Vision Survey Responses. Cut apart so each statement is on a single slip of paper....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity The worship/centering table, as set up in the beginning of the workshop Participant journals Writing materials, including paper, pens, pencils, color pencils, and markers Taking It Home handout Preparation for Activity Customize Taking It Home and...

Description of Activity The Unitarian Universalist Association developed the Side With Love campaign to serve as an umbrella for local actions and advocacy on behalf of justice and inclusion for all people. Find out about local efforts for marriage equality and join those efforts, or engage your...

Activity time: 10 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 time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Video Segment -Davies Memorial Church, Camp Springs, Maryland Computer and digital projector Handout 3, Characteristics of Racially Integrated Unitarian Universalist Congregations Optional: DVD, "Breakthrough Congregations 2007"...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Story, "The Black Humanist Fellowship" Timepiece (minutes) Preparation for Activity Read the story "The Black Humanist Fellowship." Copy for all participants....

Activity time: 10 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 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...

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the Earl Morse Wilbur words quoted in the activity description. Discuss with your co-facilitator the ways you find these values are-and are not-the dominant values in our faith tradition. Description of Activity Read aloud these words of the...