-
Respect the Talking Stick-one person speaking at a
time, no interruptions, comments, questions etc. during check-in and first
round of sharing on topic
-
Make I statements whenever possible
-
Use Active Listening
-
Respect confidentiality of shared information
-
Avoid giving advice
o
May ask clarifying questions during second round
o
Speaker may ask for advice which will be shared
later
-
Share time so everyone who wishes to may speak
-
Anyone may pass at any time
-
Encourage holding silences
Group Expectations
Opening Words/ Chalice Lighting:
Be ours a
religion which, like sunshine, goes everywhere; its temple, all space; its shrine,
the good heart;
its creed, all truth;
its ritual, works
of love;
its profession of faith, divine living.
Check-in: Briefly let us know what you are bringing with you
to today’s group.
Vincent B. Silliman
Questions:
How does religion fit into your everyday life? is it a Sunday morning social gathering or does it permeate your daily living?
How do
your religious beliefs influence how you live your life?
How would
you LIKE your religious beliefs to influence the way that you live your life?
What is a
religious life?
Do you
have to go to Sunday Services and become involved in church life in order to
lead a religious life? If not, why do
it?
(What is
it about a life experience that puts it in the religious realm for you?)
Check-out
For about half the time we took at check-in, each of us can make a brief statement about how we feel about the meeting, and what are our hopes for future meetings
Knowing
that we do not always live up to our best expectations of ourselves, let us in
quietness seek the good within, which some call the Inner Light, and some “a
spark of the divine”. Knowing that we
live in a society that falls far short of the ideal, let us in quietness
resolve to do one thing this week to aid those suffering from want and
injustice. Knowing that the earth is
our home and that humankind is making it a dirty and even poisonous home, let
us in quietness consider how we might be part of making it more healthful for
all living things. Knowing that each of
us has some sorrow or worry hidden within, let us consider in quietness how we
may reach out to one another with our smiles, our handclasps, and our
encouraging words.
Maryell Cleary
Go in Peace.
1. Let religion be to us
life and joy;
2. Let religion be a voice
of renewing challenge to the best we have and may be; let it be a call to
generous action;
3. Let religion be to us a
dissatisfaction with things that are, which bids us serve more eagerly the true
and right;