What’s in a Name?

Sunday, October 26, 2003

Sally Taylor

 

Homework:  Make a list of all the names and nicknames (not adjectives!) that you have been called. 

 

Rules Review

-         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

1. attend regularly
2. notify a member of the group if you must miss a session
3. arrive on time, close on time
4. be clear with each other about the quality of each member’s participation
5. participate in group decisions concerning format, shared meal, discussion topics, service activities
6. participate in service activities planned by the group

 

 

Opening Words/ Chalice Lighting:

 

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot,
Nor arm nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.

              From Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare

 

 

Check-in Challenge: In two minutes or less tell us your name and what we need to know about you.

 

Reading

     “I’ve had about thirty names in all, but that’s enough to make the point.  All of these are names given me by other people. But not names I would have given myself.  My name is not mine, it’s theirs.  It’s a series of costumes put on my life by other people.  I remember reading in some anthropology books about cultures in which your original name is given you by your family until you are old enough to choose a name for yourself.  I would have like that.”

               from Robert Fulghum Maybe (Maybe Not)

 

 

Questions:

1.     State your legal name. How do you think that your given name has influenced the way that you feel about yourself or the way that others think of you?

2.     What is your most favorite nickname? why?

3.     What is your least favorite nickname? why?

4.     How does what you are being called influence who you are? 

5.     Do you think names make a difference?

6.     What would you like to be called if you got to choose your name?  

 

 

 

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

 

Closing Words  adapted from Lauralyn Bellamy Hymnal # 692

 

If, here, you have found insight,

take it with you into your everyday world.

 

If you have found comfort,

go and share it with others.

 

If you have created friendships,

treasure them and keep them alive and healthy

 

If you have felt acceptance,

give some back

to a bruised and hurting world.

 

Go in Peace.