Sister Neill F. Marriott (Oct. 17): "Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach"

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The Activity:

1.     Make sure that every class member has an index card, access to a copy of the talk (either in digital format or in hard copy), and something to write with.

2.     Ask the class members to review the talk and to identify one quote that they feel is especially pertinent to living in the world today and write it on their index card.

3.     Have the class members stand up and find someone who is not sitting near them.  They spend a moment with that person sharing their quotes and talking briefly about how the ideas in the quotes are connected.

4.     After just a moment with that person, they move on to speak with someone else.

5.     Give the class enough time so that everyone gets the chance to speak with four or five other people.  You can join in this activity and act as a participant.

6.     Come back and ask the class members to share insights they gained as they did this activity.



Using the Activity:

This activity has a lot going for it.  First of all, it is directed by the class members themselves.  Every class member will hopefully choose a quote that is especially meaningful to their own situation and take on the material.  Because of that, each will have something important to say and will feel more comfortable speaking about their chosen quote.  So, this invites every individual’s voice into the class in a way that is difficult to achieve.

Furthermore, by asking the class members to interact with a number of people, each is exposed to a variety of perspectives.  As we understand and try to connect with others’ viewpoints, our compassion and unity increase.  You can increase this understanding, if you feel so moved, by asking the class members to switch quotes after they have shared.  In that way, not only will they hear someone else’s ideas but also they will have the chance to represent and explain them to someone else and try to see them in a new light.  Also, by participating yourself, you can also gain an idea of where your class members’ concerns and interests lie. 

I hope that this activity idea is of use to you and your class.  Please let me know it goes. 

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