Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Exploring Our Values Through Poetry: A Program for High School Youth

Introduction

A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits.

— Robert Heinlein

Today is the big day: the Poetry Slam performance. You have checked and double-checked your list. You have talked to your co-leader and youth who are playing pivotal roles to make sure they are ready. If you are including a fund-raiser at the event, do not forget to confer with those organizers. Eventually, all that will be left to do is to have a great time.

Instead of an Opening, this workshop has a Gathering and Focus activity. There is no Closing.

Goals

This workshop will:

  • Honor our spirits, creativity, and craftsmanship by sharing our poems with others
  • Implement a public performance of poetry, and experience its impact
  • Optional: Contribute individual and collective energy toward fund-raising to help others in the wider community

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

  • Entertain
  • Connect with the congregation through the sharing of ideas/reflections
  • Gift the congregation with a live performance while making use of their individual talents
  • Optional: Use their talents to raise money to help those in need