Activity 1: What a Free Church Means to Me (10 minutes), Workshop 5: How Are Decisions Made? Governance and Polity

In "The New UU," a Tapestry of Faith program

Materials for Activity

• Newsprint, markers, and tape

Preparation for Activity

• Post blank newsprint.

Description of Activity

Introduce the activity by providing a bridge from the Opening with these or similar words:

Our opening reading spoke about a free church. In previous workshops, we have encountered the notion of freedom as a key characteristic of Unitarian Universalism. Freedom in thought and in worship has shaped our tradition. Free responses to conscience have expressed themselves through social justice work. In this workshop, we will consider institutional life in Unitarian Universalism, that is, how our congregations govern themselves. Here, too, freedom plays a role. Considering what you heard in the opening words, what you have learned up to now about Unitarian Universalism, and your own personal experience, what does the idea of a free church mean for you?

Invite participants to identify themselves as they each answer the question in turn, reminding them that they may pass. Write key words and concepts expressed by participants on newsprint.

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Last updated on Friday, December 9, 2011.

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