The mechanics of the Mobius strip are mysterious, but its message clear: whatever is inside us continually flows outward to help form, or deform, the world — and whatever is outside us continually flows inward to help form, or deform, our lives. — Parker Palmer, Quaker educator and spiritual activist
In this concluding workshop, the concept of wholeness is addressed directly. Participants will look back through their journals and, using the metaphor of the Mobius strip, think about how their internal feelings and beliefs affect their external actions and ways of being, and how these affect their internal feelings and beliefs. There will also be time to celebrate all that has been accomplished over the past workshops.
Pay attention to the material list in Activity 4, Celebration. You might ask participants or their parents/caregivers to provide some of the treats for this celebration. Also, if you have time, consider doing the Faith in Action for this workshop—it will give participants' families and other members of the congregation some insight into what the youth have been exploring. Give families at least two weeks' notice if you plan to do the Faith in Action.
This workshop will:
- Introduce two ways of understanding wholeness — both personal and community-focused
- Review the work that has been done over the entire program and connect that work to a unifying theme of wholeness
- Celebrate the participants and leaders for the work accomplished.
- Explore the idea that wholeness is about creating alignment between one's internal self and one's external way of being, as well as being connected to a wider faith community
- Identify concrete steps they can take toward personal wholeness or integrity
- Review the work of this program and connect that work to a unifying theme of wholeness