Tapestry of Faith: A Chorus of Faiths: A Program That Builds Interfaith Youth Leaders

Activity 4: Fears and Solutions

Activity time: 15 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Newsprint, markers, and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Post blank newsprint.

Description of Activity

Participants discuss apprehensions they have about the upcoming service event and together create action steps to reduce their fears.

Say:

We have talked about a few of the reasons interfaith work can be hard, even for people who have been doing it for years. How are you feeling about the upcoming interfaith service event? Do you have any worries? Is there anything you think might be difficult for you?

Encourage participants to share their concerns. Briefly note the concerns on newsprint, pointing out common themes or connections. Leave room to write later comments under the listed fears.

After five or ten minutes, or when the list feels complete, ask participants to brainstorm with the person next to them and see if they can come up with any creative suggestions for how to handle the difficult situations they have named. After they have had a few minutes, take suggestions from the group on how to solve or assuage the fears they named. Write these on the newsprint.

When you have had sufficient time to process, close by sharing with participants, in your own words:

There is never any way to have a totally risk-free encounter with strangers. There may be moments that are difficult, awkward, or even painful. But I believe that the learning, happiness, and good we do will outweigh that, and that all of you are capable of working through any hard times to get the good stuff going. I am proud of you, and excited to see what we can do together.