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Youth of Unity
Family Groups
Family Group Material is great for lesson ideas, group activities and rally planning. Here are some older Rally Family Group Material.
How Sweet It Is - (Bi-Regional Rally 2000 Complied & written by Bruce Verkruyse)
Family Workshop Leader's Guide
DEAR FAMILY WORKSHOP LEADER,
Blessings! Thank you so much for volunteering to share your wisdom and leadership. You will be leading a Family Workshop consisting of a dozen or so fellow YOUers & one "support sponsor".
This packet is to be used for the family sessions scheduled for Rally. We would appreciate it if you would read over all of the material at least twice prior to arriving at rally. After reviewing the activities, decide how you would like to present them. We have written the material; if you have any question at all, please contact your regional team or ask your support sponsor during the rally. We are all here to support one another. There will be a Family Leaders and Support Sponsors meeting, on Thursday to answer any questions you may have and specifically to go over the "Take the Challenge" activity.
Please be prepared for each session. The better prepared the Leader, the better the Family sessions will be. Also, because every group is different, trust yourself to know when and where to be flexible in order to allow for the needs of your group. You are highly creative and talented - - Please feel free to add your own touches and definitely own words and experiences, when appropriate. Express yourself!
The purpose of the Family Workshop is to provide a safe place for the discovery, sharing, and introspection of spiritual foundations. The family workshop is built upon trust, which is modeled by the family leader. Family time is a unique opportunity to promote self-esteem and recognize individual divinity (our Christ Light). Remember your first retreat experience and your family time... remember that families are the heart of the entire event. Here is where we share, learn and stretch spiritually in an intimate, loving, safe group. Life-long friends are created in family groups, just like yours!
The role of the Family Leader is that of facilitator. You are there to help your family process, not to do the work for the group. Sometimes struggling through an experience is the most important aspect of a lesson. Sharing by all members is important. Try not to let a session become dominated by one person. The suggested questions are to start, rather than to control the discussion. They can also help change the dynamics if someone is dominating the discussion.
The support sponsor in your group has agreed to serve as your resource. They are an excellent resource. We recommend that you spend some time with your support sponsor reviewing and discussing the material and any areas needing clarification.
Remind the group to be on time. Start on time. End on time. In consideration of the limited time you will have, please invite everyone to make their washroom trips between activities.
The materials you will need to bring are a watch or clock to keep the group on time, a tape or CD of meditation music and a tape/CD player (battery operated with spare batteries). All other supplies mentioned will be provided.
The Regional Team would like to express their heartfelt thanks for sharing your talent to make this a most meaningful event. We look forward to being present with you soon.
Namaste
A FEW AREAS TO REFLECT UPON AS WORKSHOP LEADER
1. Strive to talk less than your quietest family member does.
2. Create an environment of safety, love and trust with a peaceful consciousness.
3 Strive to see the Christ in everyone at the event.
4. Remain open to guidance and direction from within. Remain flexible and change the activities if you feel guided with purpose.
5. Remember that feelings are neither right or wrong, they just are.
6. Prepare mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally prior to each session.
7. Use the enclosed material as a framework to the family session. Draw from your own experience when appropriate.
8. Remember that while you are the "leader" you are also on this journey & open to growth.
9. Hold the thoughts and feelings of others in the strictest confidence to ensure an atmosphere of safety and trust. (Use your best judgment when there is potential harm to one's self or others. Report it to the Consultant's or Head Sponsors).
10 Consult with your support sponsor and ask for assistance when necessary.
11.Strive to provide a place where each family member has an equal voice. No one person should dominate a session, including, you or your sponsor!
12.REMEMBER TO TRUST YOUR CHRIST INTUITION AND HAVE FUN!
Review the optional activities section encase you have extra time.
Objectives & Background:
How sweet it is. What you say? Candy? Winning the game? A 100 on a test? Receiving a standing ovation from your play? Going on a nice vacation? Being comforted by a friend? Comforting a friend in need? Listening to your favorite music? Well Yes, I say these things are all sweet. How sweet you ask? As sweet as you wish to make them. Let us even consider whether or not feelings discomfort is sweet? Discomfort you say, how in the world can that be sweet? Well that is what this entire weekend is about. Seeing things sweet. Loving and accepting whatever Father/Mother God sends our way. So open up your heart and a1low the truth of your being to guide you to this realization.
We will explore this entire concept. We will discovery tools and use activities to strengthen our awareness of how we see things. Our power comes from the universe and flows through each of us. We are the co-creators of the universe. If we choose to open ourselves to our "good" and claim our power I believe that we will each experience that sweetness in any situation we face.
Some of the principle areas we will explore: grounding, perceptions, choices, non-resistance, "Let go and let God", taking responsibility, guidance and the Christ within.
Family Group Summary:
1. Thursday, 7:30 - 9:00 PM Family Group #1 (90 min.)
2. Friday, 10:00 - Noon Family Group #2 (120 min.)
3. Friday, 4:15 - 5:30 PM Family Group #3 (75 min.)
4. Saturday, 6:30 - 8:00 PM Family Group #4 (120 min.-Heart Talk)
5. Sunday, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Family Group #5 (60 min.)
MORE TIPS FOR WORKSHOP LEADERS:
1. TAKE TIME TO BE CENTERED. Spend your own time in meditation to connect with the God of your being and be open to your inner wisdom and peace. When you are centered, it is easier for your group to be centered and follow your lead. If you get scattered during a workshop, BREATHE!
2. FOCUS THE GROUP: Always start by centering and connecting the group with an OPENING MEDITATION or PRAYER even if we are running late. Also ask for attention when you need it. YOUers don't intend to be disruptive, but need gentle reminders of agreements. Be aware that giggling may be the expression of some discomfort with what is happening...rather than disrespect. Rather than react, tell them that "sometimes when we are uncomfortable with an activity, we tend to giggle; just take a deep breath and allow yourself to fully participate because the group is here to love and support you."
3. SET THE TONE for each activity. This is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your workshop. If an activity is light, keep it light. If it is a quiet, thoughtful, or heart level experience, set the tone to be a loving, sacred one. You do this by your example, your words, perhaps by lowering the lights and putting on meditation music or leading a short centering.
4. BE PREPARED: Set up the room and materials before the workshop. Reread the materials for that workshop and know what you are planning to do.
5. ALLOW THE GROUP LEAD THE DISCUSSION: You may need to become comfortable with waiting for a response...be okay with silence. Your group may need to think a minute before responding to a question. Don't be too quick to move on or jump in with an answer yourself. Discussion means more than one answer. Wait for several people to respond.
6. KEEP MOVING: At the same time, there is a balance, and we need to void dragging out activities as this creates boredom and encourages lack of focus (especially be aware of this in pairs share time).
7. TIME: Make notes in the margins as to how much time you want to spend on an activity in order to finish each workshop...then you can decide where you might go faster or take more time before you get caught up in the middle of the workshop.
8. ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE: Allow for the right to pass but be aware of tendency for 2 or 3 to dominate the discussion...ask to hear from someone who has not shared...reminding them that each person is important. Or you might sometimes go around the circle and get everyone's opinion.
9. CLOSING: Always take time for a closing circle even if running late and you cannot do the closing provided...do a short prayer, a group hug or something for closure. This creates a sense of group unit y and closeness.
10. Attend the workshop leader meeting.
Family Group # 1 (90 Min)
Daily Theme: "Choice"
(We have the freedom to choose what we perceive)
Objective/Purpose: Everyday things come into our path, which offer us an opportunity to choose. Sometimes the items cause as discomfort or pain. And sometimes they offer us excitement and joy. The key for each of us is how we choose to see the environment at the moment. We may choose to taste the sweetness of sugar or we may choose the bitterness of cooking chocolate. We may also choose to pucker up from a sour taste or even choose the flavorless blandness of chalk. The real point here is that we have the choice. It is ours to make. Yes, we have the power and we have acquired some baggage through our years. But in the end, "We have the freedom to choose what we perceive." (Share anything that you feel like from the above statements.)
Please read the Bible Verse and Affirmation to group*
Bible Verse: "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. The reverence of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb." --Psalm 19:7-10
AFFIRMATION: "I AM IN CHARGE OF WHAT I CHOOSE TO SEE." (Ask your group to repeat this affirmation with you.)
Session Format:
1. Rocks. Get Acquainted 5 min.
2. Opening (Daily Word). Setting the tone 3-min.
3. Spider web. Get acquainted/Prayer/Belonging 7 min.
4. Agreements Leader intro. group agreements 10 min.
5. Rock Introduction Group introductions/self-disclosure 20 min.
6. Freedom Wishes Identify perceived limitation 15 min.
7. Prisoner / Free men. Explore perceptions that imprison 20 min.
8. Electric hand squeeze. Closing prayer and affirmation. 10 min.
MATERIALS: (Cassette or CD Player with music for all sessions)
1. Bag of rocks. 4. Group Agreements poster. 6. Affirmation card
2. Ball of twine 5. An eight foot piece of string. 7. Mellow music
3. Masking tape
ROOM PREP: Arrive ahead of time for each session to prepare a welcoming environment (chairs or on floor in circle, music playing, theme & affirmation card on the wall, etc.)
1. ROCKS, To get acquainted and use later. (5 Min.)
Materials: Bag of Rocks.
Preparation: Rocks spread out on a piece of paper in center of floor.
Directions: As the group enters, leader put on some mellow music; invite each to survey the rocks that are spread upon the floor, selecting one that most reminds them of them self. They are to temporarily place the rock in a pocket, so they will have their hands empty for the next activity.
2. Opening / Daily Word: Thursday, June 15th, 2000 (3 Min.)
Experiencing the joy of my soul is experiencing the presence of God. Everlasting Joy is a gift from God, and I gratefully accept it. Accepting the gift, I am also accepting the giver as my Creator and Sustainer. The gift of divine joy can never be taken from me. Going through a time of sorrow, I may need to grieve; but knowing that God is my comfort is discovering the joy of my soul in a time of need.
When I feel the joy of Spirit, I am experiencing the glory of being in the presence of God. Circumstances will never diminish the eternal joy of God that I feel, for it is deep seated within my soul.
The joy of my soul inspires me with a feeling of well being that flows forth into my everyday life. I do invite the joy of God to be a part of all that I do.
"Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." -Isaiah 51:11
3. SPIDER WEB (Twine toss) To get acquainted/Prayer/belonging. (7 Min.)
Materials: ball of twine
Directions: First, Have everyone form a standing circle. The leader will hold the ball of twine, and unwind only enough string to reach across the circle. Next, explain that when each person receives the ball of twine, they will ask the name of someone in the circle they don't know (or do not know well). Call the name...and unwind enough string to allow the ball to be tossed, toss the ball of twine to that person. When they toss the ball, they will hold the end of the string so that the string will stretch across the circle. Each
person catching the ball, will in turn, unwind enough string to stretch across the circle, hold the string at that point, and toss the ball to someone who has not yet received it. As each person holds onto the string at the point where they received it, a pattern will form. Leader begins...asking the name of someone he/she doesn't know, and tossing the twine to her/him, holding the string at the end point. (Leader: Try this activity before you lead it.) INPUT FROM LEADER: After the twine has been thrown to every person, process the activity with the group. Suggestions: Our group has created a special pattern ...the pattern depends on each person within it as a vital point. As you ask them what they choose to see. Give them a moment to really look. Remind the group if just one of us were not here, the pattern itself would be quite different, so ... each one of us is important to the unique energy this group will form this weekend. Allow a couple of people to share if they choose too. Lead a short prayer to affirm the truth that there are no accidents and each person in the group is there by Divine appointment and a vital part of the group experience.
4. Group Agreements: To create a safe space. (10 Min)
Materials: Group agreement page, pens and tape.
Preparation: Group sitting in circle with agreement page in the center of the floor.
Directions: Explain the importance of having agreements is to make the family a safe place. To insure that each member of the group can feel accepted, respected, and loved in the family workshop. The following are ways that we can help each other feel more comfortable and take risks within family group. Think of what you need from others to feel more comfortable. Add any that you wish to the following list. You may delete any that do not work for your family. Ask each family member if there is anything they wish to add or delete. After everyone is satisfied read the list, ask if the group feels they can accept the list or there are any changes they would like to make. Invite everyone to sign the list.
(NOTE TO LEADER: As facilitator, if it becomes necessary, please remind group throughout week to honor these agreements.)
Agreements
1. Be on time---being late effects the entire family group.
2. Be willing to participate in all activities.
3. No put downs/criticism/sarcasm/interrupting
4. Give your loving focus to each person sharing (This includes no sleeping)
5. There are no right or wrong answers.
6. Right to pass.
7. Keep things confidential. (Except where the information is threatening to the person or others, directly.)
8. Be respectful of the time. Give everyone a chance to share.
9. ________________________________
10. _______________________________
11. _______________________________
12. _______________________________
5. ROCK INTRODUCTIONS: To get acquainted / Self / Disclosure. (20 Min)
Materials: Selected stones from activity #1, water and dish.
Directions:
1. Leader begins by showing the stone they selected to the group (still seated in a circle), explaining how and why that stone reminds you of yourself.
2. Leader invites all group members to share, beginning with the person to your right.
3. After everyone has shared invite the group to look at their stone carefully. Then ask them to place the stones in the water dish.
Process: After a few moments ask:
Does anyone notice anything different about your stone now?
How is this experience like your everyday life and the situations you face?
Do you more often choose to see yourself as dull and flat or as shiny and polished? Why?
Can you se how the theme fits here? How sweet it is? How sweet are you? Do you usually notice the sweetness of your Christ Light?
Invite all to take their own stone back.
6. FREEDOM WISHES, Identify & Share Perceived Limitations. (15 Min.)
DIRECTIONS:
Ask the group (who are still seated in a circle) to take a moment to think of some situation in their life that is either uncomfortable or barely tolerable... that might be changed if they could "just wave a magic wand."
Invite each person in your circle to complete this sentence..."If I could change one situation in my life, it would be __________". (Co-leader begins.)
DISCUSSION:
Now ask the group what kind of changes they believe people can make in their lives.
What can a person do to make a change?
Is it a physical change? Is it an emotional change? A Spiritual change?
Can you give any examples of the changes you are contemplating?
Can you give us an example of change in your life?
Do you have the power to change? If so, how? If not, why not?
7. PRISONERS / FREE MEN, Demonstrating our Freedom to Choose. (20 min.)
Materials: An eight-foot length of string, Unity Truth CARD
Preparation: Place the piece of string across the floor, dividing your workshop area in half.
Directions:
1. Divide the workshop family in half by asking everyone to count off in two's.
2. Ask the two's to stand on one side of the line, and the one's to stand on the other.
3. Inform the group that you are going to give the directions only one time... these will
be the ONLY directions, and they may ask no further questions after they have been given the directions.
4. Give them these directions: "The one's are prisoners and are locked up in their area. The two's are the guards. These are all the directions. "The leader stands back and watches with no further input, even if questions are asked. After 3 minutes whether or not the group has done anything or not, ask the groups to change roles, (the two's are prisoners, the one's are the guards), and re-express the directions.
After three more minutes validate the groups for their willingness to participate in this experiment. Invite everyone to sit and process this incident based on what you witnessed as the leader.
Process:
Ask the "One's" - how it feel to be prisoners? What was it like to be told you were prisoners? What feelings did you have? What did you want to do? How do you think prisoners' feel/act? Why (did you/did you not) choose to remain in your area? What is it like for you to be confined? Why did you think you could not escape? What situation does anyone have in their lives that you think makes you feel like a prisoner? (Give time for reflection.) Take a few examples if people wish to share.
Ask the "Two's" how did it feel to be guards? What was it like to try to confine others? What do you think about the realities of controlling others? When is it (okay/not okay) to control others? Why did you try/not try to keep the prisoners in their area? What are some things that keep us prisoners? (Leaders may create other "processing" questions based on how the group reacted in the activity.)
Ask a group member to read the Unity Truth Card. "In UNITY we learn that the Truth can set us free. When we talk about "Truth" we are speaking of spiritual laws that bless us with love, abundance, health, and knowledge of our relationship with God." This is the Truth of our "Being," That the Christ Spirit abides within each of us.
More Processing:
What is freedom to you? What has anyone changed in their lives by changing the way they see things? How sweet is it for you? How do others influence the way people see a situation? The media?
How can gossip or rumors influence what you see?
When do you believe you are in charge of what you choose to see about someone else or about a situation?
8. ELECTRIC HAND SQUEEZE, Closing prayer -Affirm concept (10 min.)
Directions: Go around the circle, (beginning with a volunteer), asking each person to complete this sentence. For me, I would like this rally to be..... Invite the group to join hands. Explain that you will begin by visualizing what you want for yourself at rally this weekend and then squeeze the hand of the person to your right. That person will visualize for them self and squeeze the hand of the person to their right. Continue around until the hand squeeze returns to the first volunteer.
PRAYER: Lead a prayer to affirm and give thanks that we have the freedom to choose exactly how we will see things. We have the power in us to see things sweet or see them sour.
At the end of the prayer invite the group repeat the affirmation with you several times. Prayer example: Thank you God for giving us the power to experience what we see in a way that brings love, happiness, and wholeness to ourselves and to the planet.
Affirm with me, "I am in charge of what I choose to see." (Together)
GROUP MOVEMENT: Invite the group to move directly to the Activity Center for candidate questions beginning at 9pm.
Thank you for being the gift that you are. You are an awesome child of God.
Family Group - # 2
Daily Theme: "Perception & Power"
Objective/Purpose: To help the group realize that there will be challenges on the road to reaching ones goals and desires. There is a need to be pliable so that God may guide us to realize our true destination. Each of us experiences challenge and failure along with our joy and accomplishment. The power that each experience quote "good or bad" has in your life is determined by your response to it. Each of us must learn to face our fears, too accept our self and one another. When you choose to reach inside your soul, you impact your outer physical experience and have the power to see things sweet as you co-create with the One.
Materials: Focus music, perception pictures, cloth, needle, thread, art supplies, & scissors.
Session Format: 1. Opening Prayer & Daily Word 5 Min.
2. Input on Fear 2 Min.
3. Forms of Fear 5 Min.
4. What brings up fears? 10 Min.
5. How to embrace fear? 10 Min.
6. What do I See? 15 Min.
7. Trust Fall & Cradle 35 Min.
8. Cloth of Many Colors 30 Min.
9. Closing 8 Min.
Please read the Bible Verse and Affirmation to group*
Bible Verse: (This is Jesus speaking to the Pharisees.) "So for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of God. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines'. Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand: It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.""
--Mt. 15:6-11
Affirmation: "I AM a child of God: Today I choose to see Truth, My sight is clear to release fear and love whatever is in front of me. (Ask group to repeat affirmation)
Process: Ask if there is any discussion or need for clarification on this bible verse. You may wish to ask after the opening and Daily Word if you wish.
1. OPENING PRAYER (5 Min.)
Oh, Great Spirit, creator of all life and wisdom we know that you clear our minds and hearts to accept your Truth. As we go forth today we thank "You" for the lessons that are provided. Each lesson brings us the opportunity to go inside and see things whole, too taste the sweetness that life offers. As we begin to accept our Truth, we express that Christ Spirit that indwells in us and we realize fully our oneness with all living things and with "You". - And so it is.
Daily Word: Friday June 16th, 2000
"My perception is a view of my world that is inspired by God."
Perception:
How I react to any situation is closely tied to my perception of what is taking place. Because I want my perception to go beyond the appearances of that moment, I rely on spiritual insight. Then I am able to respond from understanding so that I know what to do and say. Prayer is an effective way to gain a perspective inspired by my Creator: "God, thank You for the spiritual insight to see the truth within every situation. You help me see clearly what is most important to any decisions I may need to make." "Thank you for encouraging me not to let emotions interfere with good judgment. You guide my thoughts so that they are focused on the blessing that is within each situation. I am grateful for a perspective that views all with a spiritual understanding."
"I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? -Isaiah 43:19
2. Input on fear: Setup for the next activity/focused. (2 MIN)
Consider for a moment the possibility that there are really only two emotions: love or fear. Love is real, absolute and unchangeable. Fear on the on hand is something your mind perceives, or has made up. ...
All other emotions can be seen as a form of fear. Unconditional Love is the total absence of fear. Unconditional Love is eternal ... it has no end. .... No matter how much unconditional love you give away it cannot be depleted. ... Everything else besides unconditional love is transitory and doesn't last. ...
Let's take a moment and allow these thoughts to settle in as we turn within:
(Read) "I open myself to the wisdom within, knowing that whatever I need to know is revealed to me. It is safe for me to look within myself. This is a new day. I begin anew to claim and create all that is good. I am one with the very Power that created me. I rejoice in the knowledge that I have the power of my own mind to use in any way I choose. Every moment of life is a new beginning. This moment is a new point of beginning for me right here, and right now. I allow myself to perceive things in a new way.
We now return to this space and time at look at how fear can possibly take many forms.
3. Discuss different forms of fear: (5 MIN)
Objective/Purpose: To understand how different emotions can really be fear.
Process: How can depression be a form of fear?
How can love be a form of fear?
How can anger be a form of fear?
How can loneliness be a form of fear?
(Remember to pause long enough for them to think-be comfortable with silence)
4. What brings up Personal fear? (10 MIN)
Objective/Purpose: To prepare for application of Steps dealing with fear/pain.
DIRECTIONS: Have group line up by height. Then pair off 1 - 2, etc., down the line. Invite partners to sit facing one another. Ask them to choose partner A or partner B. ... partner B shares first:
What are some of your personal fears? or What brings up a feeling of fear for you?
Give them 1 minute then A shares.
Choose a fear to face this weekend and share it with your partner. Choose something that you can deal with during rally. Examples: Fear of being open; fear of participating fully; fear of trusting, fear of relating to someone who seems different, fear of talking in a group, fear of being loved or loving myself.
COMMITMENT: We live in a universe that wants to say "YES" to the sweetness of life, but we must be willing to do the work and clean up our act. Right now ask yourself if you are willing to go within to do the work, so that you will create more love and peace in your world? … Are you willing to make a
COMMITMENT to your self, to practice what is in these workshop materials this weekend? If so say,
How sweet it is!" (Ask them to say it over louder. Now ask what they just made a commitment to, see if they really do!)
5. What DO I See? Perceptions and self (15 Min.)
Materials: Perception pictures.
Objective/Purpose: To open ourselves to different ways of seeing.
DIRECTIONS: Ask the group to circle up. Now invite them to close their outer eyes. Lead them in this short centering. Take a few moments to come to your breath. … Allow the wondrous energy of the universe to fill your entire being. See if you can sense the energy filling you. Does it have color? Does it have vibration? Does it have emotion? Take a few moments to really feel this blessed gift. … I trust that we all just made a commitment to be open to seeing things different. This exercise we will give us an opportunity to practice the skill of seeing things anew. I invite you to think of a time when you experienced a situation that you labeled as less than whole, less than you had expected. … Can you find a way to see the experience in a new light? … Maybe you already have, if not give yourself a chance to see it a different way. …As we return to this physical space, I invite you to be open to new possibilities. I invite you to open your heart
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