Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: A Place of Wholeness: A Program for Youth Exploring Their Own Unitarian Universalist Faith Journeys

Welcoming and Entering

Materials for Activity

  • Journals for new participants
  • Newsprint, markers and tape

Preparation for Activity

  • Have journals available for visitors or participants who do not have one. Set out supplies for them to personalize the journals during the Welcoming and Entering time.
  • Write the Welcome Words and questions on newsprint and post.

Description of Activity

The Welcome Words are meant to set the stage for the workshop and spark conversation before the workshop begins. The Welcome Words for today are a quote and questions.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. - Nelson Mandela, former South African President, anti-apartheid activist, and advocate of democracy

Questions: How does the way you live respect and enhance the freedom of others? How do others respect and enhance your freedom?

As participants arrive, invite them to personalize a journal, review and/or add to their journal based on the Welcome Words posted, or informally discuss the Welcome Words. Orient visitors and first-time participants to the program and get a sense of what brought them today.