Dear Family Group Facilitators,
Blessings! The International Event Planning Team (Indies) would like to express
our thanks to you for helping to make this a meaningful event for everyone
involved. Thank you so much for being willing to share your wisdom and
leadership. This material is to be used for the family group sessions scheduled
during the 2012 IYOU event, Standing on Holy Ground.
You will be part of a team of two YOUers facilitating each family with an adult
supporter. Please be prepared for each session and communicate with your coleader. The better prepared you are as a team the better the family group will go.
Every group is different, so we encourage you to trust yourself to know when and
where to be flexible in order to allow for the needs of your group.
The purpose of family group time is to provide a safe place for spiritual discovery,
sharing and the practice of compassionate communication. Family groups are built
upon trust, which is modeled by the family group facilitators.
As a facilitator, you are there to help your family process the activities, not to do
the work for the group. Sharing by all members is important. Try not to let a
session become dominated by one person. Remind the group to start and end on
time. In consideration of the limited time you will have, please invite everyone to
make restroom trips between activities.
Family groups are the heart and soul of the IYOU events and we are blessed to
have such amazing, able and willing individuals aiding us in the manifestation of
this year’s IYOU event.
With heartfelt thanks, your 2012 Indie team,
Miranda Baker
Kimberly Bencker
Nevada Polite
Kitty Tootle
Jane Simmons
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Tips for Family Group Facilitators
Take Time to Be Centered - Spend time in meditation or prayer before you start
your family group. When you practice prayer, your group will be in harmony.
Focus on the Group- Always start by centering and connecting the group with a
time of prayer even if you are starting late. In each session, you will find a Bible
verse, quote or prayer provided; feel free to use any of them for your prayer or
create your own.
Set the Tone- Your energy sets the tone for each activity. The group will pick up
on your energy. If the activity is light, keep it light. If it is quiet, keep it quiet. Use
your example, your words and your actions to guide the group.
Be Prepared- Read and understand the material before you begin the Family
Group Time. If you have any questions please bring them up during the Family
Group Facilitator meetings.
Let the Group Do the Discussion- You may need to become comfortable with
waiting for a response from people in the group. BE OKAY WITH SILENCE! Be
willing to wait for people to respond. Discussion means more than one answer and
everyone’s input is valid. Allow several people to respond before moving on. Wait
for those who need time to process to contribute.
Time- Check the timing of your family group material before you begin each
session. Think through how it will work in the time slot you have.
If you find there is extra time at the end of any of your family sessions, you can
choose to add any of the several optional activities listed at the end of this family
group material.
Encourage Everyone to Participate- Allow a person the right to pass but be
aware of the tendency of some to dominate and some to always hold back. Remind
everyone that each person and all opinions are important.
Closing- Always take time for a Closing Circle even when running late. Do a short
prayer, a Yay God or a group hug as long as you do something that acknowledges
the end of the time spent together.
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Material List for Family Group Bags
6 Attendance Sheets
1 piece of Flip Chart Paper
Markers
Paper bags
Bean Bag Hackysacks
Paper
Pens
Index cards
Plastic bowl
Jelly Marbles in ziplock bag
Balloons
Toothpicks
Small pieces of paper for balloon activity
Love Note papers
Fuzzy heart
Evaluation Forms
Energy Ball
Masking Tape
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Indie of the Day: Kimberly – God Is
Family Group #1 - Monday 7:15 - 8:30 p.m.
Note: Italicized words are meant for you to read to yourself. Words that are
not italicized are for you to read to the group.
Welcome family members as they come in and get acquainted. Introduce yourself,
take attendance, fill in the attendance sheet and leave it outside your area for the
Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence within each heart, we are grateful for the guidance, leading all of
us to be here today. Thank you for safe travels to Unity Village. During this time,
we strengthen our awareness of our Divine connection so that we may be able to
better connect with others. Amen.
Unity Principle: There is only One Presence and One Power active as the universe
and as my life, God the Good.
Teen Version: God is all good and active in everything, everywhere.
Quote/Scripture: “Even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that
you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” -John
10:38 (Also quoted in The Five Principles)
Check In: (20 minutes) Invite each person in the family group to introduce
themselves by sharing their:

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

Name
Grade
Region
How they are feeling right in this moment
Favorite holiday and why
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Activity: Family Group Heart Agreements (15 minutes)
Materials: flip chart paper, markers
Explain to the family members: In order for all of us to feel safe, loved and
respected during our time in our family group meetings, we need to make some
Family Group Agreements. These agreements are sacred and are a way to trust and
get to know each other on a deeper spiritual level.
Ask for a volunteer to write down the group agreements using the sheet of flip
chart paper and marker found in your family group bag. Each person is given an
opportunity to state what should be included in the group agreements. When
everyone has had a chance to contribute, ask if anyone has something they want to
add. Once everyone has agreed to the agreements created by the group, each
person signs the agreement as an indication of the group’s solidarity. The
agreement is then hung in your family group area, so that everyone is reminded
daily of the agreements they created as a group.
Suggestions for agreements:






Things shared will be kept confidential unless what is shared is about
someone getting hurt, including the person disclosing
Everyone has the right to pass
Respectful listening and appropriate language will be used
Be present and participate
Respect everyone and everything
Honor the time
Activity: Name Game (10 minutes)
Each person says their name followed by an action that demonstrates their favorite
activity. For example, the first person says, “I am George and I like to play
baseball” and adds the action of the swinging of an imaginary baseball bat. The
next person repeats the name and action, then adds theirs. Once everyone has had
a turn, see if the whole group can remember all of them.
Activity: Love Note bags (20 minutes for both activities - discussion that takes
place during creation of love bags)
Materials: paper bags, markers
Give out a paper bag to each member of the family. Have them write their name
and region on the front of the bag, then customize and decorate their own bag
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using the markers.
Explain to the family group what Love Notes are. Say, Love Notes are small notes
that people write to each other to express love and appreciation. They are similar to
Peaces of Love, Appreciograms, Messages of Love (MOLs), etc. Extra paper for
writing Love Notes can be found on the craft table in the main meeting room. Bags
will be hung on the wall in the main meeting room. Throughout the week, you are
encouraged to write Love Notes to people and drop them in their bags. At the end
of the week, everyone will take their bags with them to read the notes when they
get home.
Discussion: (20 minutes for both activities - discussion takes place during
creation of love bags) Invite everyone to decorate the Love Note bags while
discussing the following question:
1. What does the theme, “Standing on Holy Ground” mean to you?
2. Based on your knowledge from reading the book, “The Five Principles” and
writing your essay, what is one principle you put into practice most often and which
would you like to practice more?
3. Today’s principle is “There is Only One Presence and One Power, in the
Universe and in my Life, God the Good, Omnipotent.” What does that mean to
you?
4. How does our scripture verse relate to this year’s theme?
Closing Prayer: (5 minutes) Invite the group to get still and focus on their
breathing before beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence, thank you for this opportunity to meet these wonderful people
and to be able to share our lights with one another. We know that as this week
continues, we will become closer to Spirit and to everyone here. Amen.
FUZZIES!!! OR GRUZZY!!! (Group-Fuzzy)
When your family group ends, ask everyone to take their Love Note bags with
them to hang up in the main meeting hall.
RETURN TO MAIN MEETING AREA
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Indie of the Day: Nevada - I AM
Family Group #2 - Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Welcome family members as they come in. Take attendance, fill in the attendance
sheet and leave it outside of the door for the Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence, We are grateful for this opportunity to create as the Creator did, a
space of loving-kindness, a space centered in light. Amen.
Quote/Scripture: “Realize that now, in this moment of time, you are creating.
You are creating your next moment based on what you are feeling and thinking.
That is what's real.” Doc Childre
“Indeed I am divine, wholly a part of All that Is. So yes, you may ask and I will tell
you, and humbly, that I am perfection and grace. So are you.”
-Author Unknown
Unity Principle: Our essence is of God; therefore we are inherently good. This
God essence was fully expressed in Jesus, the Christ.
Teen version: I am naturally good because God’s Divinity is in me and in
everyone.
Check In: (15 minutes) Share your name and on a scale of 1-10, how is your
experience so far? Any needs to pass on to the Head Sponsors?
Discussion: (20 minutes) Begin with asking the group how they feel about this
Unity principle.
1. What does it mean, for our essence to be of God?
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2. Does the concept that all beings are inherently good, present a challenge for any
of us? Where do we meet this challenge, in dealing with people in our own lives,
or figures throughout history who may serve to challenge us in this view?
3. How might our consciousness change if we were always to look into each
person’s eyes and see God? (Think, “Namaste” – the Divine in me greets the
Divine in you)
4. In the book, The Five Principles God is described as “the substance of all that
exists, including us.” and is likened to the ocean, with us as waves, being made up
of the same stuff as God and as each other, so that there is really no separation.
How does this make you feel?
5. Consider the Bill Cosby quote also mentioned in the reading, “People are
waiting around for Jesus to come, when Jesus is already within you.” How do you
feel about this quote?
Say: As we move into the next activity, let us try to be continuously mindful of this
innate divinity, this lack of separation.
Activity: Pattern Ball Name Game (20 minutes)
Bean Bag Hackysacks
For this activity you will use the bean bags. Ask family members not to hurl them
or throw them hard, but gently toss them with the goal in mind that the person on
the other end will catch it.
Form a circle and include yourself. Explain that the object is to toss the ball
around the circle, person to person until everyone has had a turn throwing and
catching once. This will create a pattern to be repeated. As the ball is thrown, the
person throwing will say the name of the person they are throwing it to. Each
person must remember who threw the ball to them and who they threw it to. Stress
that this is all they will have to remember.
The first time around, have each person hold one hand up in the air until they have
been thrown the ball. When they have caught it once, they bring their hand down.
(Their hand is raised just to signal that they have not yet had the ball thrown to
them.) Each person chooses to throw the ball only to someone whose hand is still
in the air. That way, no one gets the ball twice in the pattern.
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When the last person receives the ball, they throw it to you, thus completing the
pattern. Now try it again with all hands down, to see if each one can remember
who threw it to them and who they threw it to, and complete the exact same pattern
once more. Remember to call out the person’s name as it is thrown. After the
second time through, now the fun begins. Start again and this time, after you throw
the first ball and begin the pattern, now throw a second one. Once it gets into play,
add another. Continue until you have all of the balls in play at once.
When the activity finishes, ask the family members:
1. How did it feel to play this game?
2.What lessons did you learn? (For example, the importance of paying attention, in
the midst of chaos there is order, all you had to do was remember what is yours to
do instead of taking care of everyone else’s process, etc.)
Share: Every single person in this family is an important member of the group.
Without you, the pattern would have been different. We each have a place in the
circle and a part to play. We are all part of the oneness and as long as we just do
our part, and stay present, we are being who we have come here to be.
Activity: Who Have You Come Here to Be?(25 minutes)
Sheets of paper, pens, index cards
For this exercise invite the family group to use a clean piece of paper and at the
top, write down the names of three people that they greatly admire. It could be
people they know, such as their grandmother or favorite teacher. They can also be
historical figures that they admire – (i.e. Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa.)
Now, write down five traits or characteristics that each one has. Are they
generous, kind, compassionate, adventurous? What is it about each one that they
love and respect? Circle any words that repeat and notice themes. Their list might
look something like this:
1. Aunt Gillian
2. Mrs. Carlton (Third Grade Teacher)
Compassionate
Kind
Nurturing
Creative
Humorous
Kind
Adventurous
Nurturing
Compassionate
Creative
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3. Tina Turner
Adventurous
Courageous
Talented
Creative
Humorous
Now, invite family members to combine their lists. In the example, the list would
look like this:
Compassionate*
Kind*
Nurturing*
Creative*
Humorous*
Adventurous*
Courageous
Talented
Words with an asterisk would be circled and indicate
a strong interest in that area.
The next step is to take the list and transfer the top six words to an index card. At
the top of the card, they write their name, followed by the words: “I have come
here to be:” and then list all of the words chosen. In the example, it would read: I
have come here to be....compassionate, kind, nurturing, creative, humorous and
adventurous.
Have everyone stand and find a partner. Partner A asks Partner B – Who have you
come here to be? Partner B says, “I have come here to be… then reads the words
on their card. Then Partner B ask the question and Partner A reads their list. After
sharing with one partner, each person finds a new partner and repeats until they
have done it three times.
After everyone has had a turn, ask how it feels to speak those words. Share with
them that they are speaking the truth. The reason this is true is because we could
not recognize any of these traits in anyone else if they didn’t already exist within
us. The reason we admire them in another is because they mirror what is already
inside of us!
Share: Jesus says, “Is it not written in your law, I said ye are gods?” (John 10:34)
We are each The Christ in expression, here to share our gifts and talents with the
world. We are all outlets of the Divine Expression.
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Activity: Jelly Marbles: Being the Christ - Part 1 (15 minutes)
Labeled ziplock bag, plastic bowl filled with water
Share: Quantum science is now proving what metaphysics has always taught – that
we are all one. Charles Fillmore believed that spirituality was scientific and that by
understanding the science behind it, we can better demonstrate the Unity teachings.
Today, we are going to let science help us better understand what it means to be
the Christ in expression as we participate together in a ceremony of oneness. We
will begin the ceremony in this morning’s family group time and end it later
tonight at our evening family group.
Fill the plastic bowl with water and set it in the center of the circle. Pass out the
small jelly marbles that are found in the labeled ziplock bag in your family group
bag, one for each family member. Explain that we will end today’s family group
with a ceremony that honors the uniqueness that each person brings to the world.
Each marble represents a “pearl of great price” that is the I AM, the Christ within
and the water represents the One Presence and One Power - our oneness as a
family group and as spiritual beings.
Invite each person - one at a time - to put their “pearl of great price” into the
water, saying “I AM a Divine Being and the unique gifts that I bring to this family
are...” then share the list from their card and drop the jelly marble into the water.
When all of the pearls are in the water, explain that we will be leaving the bowl of
water in the family group area until we meet again tonight during our evening
family group. We want to allow all of our unique gifts to join and become one. We
will complete our ceremony then. End with the closing prayer.
Closing Prayer: (5 minutes) Invite the group to get still and focus on their
breathing before beginning the prayer.
I invite you all to take a deep, centering breath... and to smile. It is said that
sometimes, our joy is the source of our smile... but that our smile can also be the
source of our joy. We are grateful for each opportunity to smile, and we recognize
that this opportunity is ever-present. For all that we have come here to be, for all
that we are and have chosen to become, we are thankful. Amen.
HEAD TO SILENT UNITY CHAPEL FOR PRAYER SERVICE
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Family Group #3 - Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Welcome family members as they come in. Take attendance, fill in the attendance
sheet and leave it outside of the door for the Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence,
We take this moment to breathe in, welcoming the air into our bodies, welcoming
our lungs and our hearts into a space of expansion, and welcoming release as this
cycle begins again... We are grateful for each sacred breath, each grand
opportunity to think, and to feel. For the sky stretched above us and the ground,
ever-sacred beneath our feet, we are grateful. Amen
Quote/Scripture: “Imagine witnessing this moment with no expectations.”
Michael Jeffreys
Discussion: (15 minutes) Nevada’s Truth Talk
Lead a discussion around Nevada’s truth talk choosing from the following
questions as time allows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What was the main point of Nevada's Truth Talk?
Did she bring up anything that you can relate to?
How did she show the theme of the day in her own life?
What did you learn about today’s Unity principle?
What did you learn about yourself?
How did her talk relate to today's theme?
What is one thing you will take away from her truth talk?
Activity: Jelly Marbles, Being the Christ Part 2 (10 minutes)
Bring out the bowl of water that the jelly marbles have been soaking in since the
morning family group time and show it to everyone in the group. Ask, “What has
happened to our pearls of great price?” (They have disappeared) Or have they? It
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will seem that they have disappeared and the bowl is just water with no marbles in
it. Invite each person to reach into the water and bring forth what they find. The
pearls have grown to become large marbles that are not detectable in the water.
When you bring one out of the water, you can see it, but when it is back in the
water it is invisible. In the same way, each of us is a unique expression of the One
Presence. And when we share our gifts, we expand. Share a quote from Eckhart
Tolle “Underneath the level of physical appearances and separate forms, you are
one with all that is.”
Discussion Question: How does this activity demonstrate the Unity principle we
are talking about today?
Activity: Balloon Pop (25 minutes)
Materials: Small Balloons, small pieces of paper, toothpicks
Say, We have a choice of how we express who we are. Because we are all unique
expressions of the One Presence, our prayers and blessings have a positive,
uplifting effect on each other.
Each family member receives one balloon and one small piece of paper. Lead the
group through the following meditation and when they enter the silence, invite
them to write down on the small piece of paper, a blessing or prayer they would
like to give to the world.
Meditation: Say, Let’s get in touch with the Spirit within. When we turn to our
hearts, we experience wholeness. Sink your awareness deep within your body. Feel
your feet and your toes... feel your ankles....your shins and calves, your knees, your
thighs. Become very aware of your lower body, your hips. Move your awareness to
your upper body to your back, shoulders, arms and hands; your neck and your
head. Be here now.
Begin to focus on your breathing. Our breath is our connection to Spirit. The word
“Spirit” means breath. So breathe in Spirit. Let your body relax a little more as you
continue to inhale and exhale, slowly, evenly. Now shift your attention to your
heart. You may want to place your hand on your heart in order to really feel it.
Breathe into your heart, imagine your breath going right into the heart. And as you
breathe out, feel it move out through the solar plexus, just below the heart center.
Take a few breaths into the heart and out the solar plexus, deeply and evenly....
slowly into the heart. Feel your heart opening. Breathe into it. Now, bring into your
mind, someone that you really care for and appreciate. What is it you appreciate
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about that person? Begin to send out feelings of appreciation and thanksgiving.
Continue breathing and let these feelings of gratitude fill your heart and radiate.
Send love to that person. Feel the fullness of love and healing, let it bless every cell
in your body.
And now, let it expand until the love fills this room, know that you are standing on
holy ground. When we are loving deeply from the heart, we are being who we
came here to be. We are in touch with the Spirit within us. This time of loving and
caring is so important, both for our individual lives and for our world. It is our
access code to higher understanding. It is how we divinely connect with our Heart
Intelligence with each other. It is Being the Way of God. Being the avenue through
which Love expresses. Breathe into your heart and with each exhalation, express
that Love. And so from this connected place of peace and joy, we ask for guidance
and we get still and enter the Silence to listen to the higher intelligence of our
hearts as it reveals to us the prayer and blessing that we bring to the earth. (Enter
the SILENCE.) Thank you God for answered prayer. And so it is. AMEN.
After writing out the prayer, invite them to put the paper inside the balloon and
blow up the balloon. Now have everyone stand in a circle and see how long the
group can keep all the balloons in the air. We are giving our blessings some
wings.
Now the love in expression gets noisy! After a few minutes, invite each person to
grab a different balloon than the one they started with, pop the balloon with a
toothpick and read the prayer or blessing inside. As a group, try to guess who
wrote each one. After all the balloons have been popped and blessings read,
acknowledge each person and the blessings that they have shared. That is the
power of The I AM.
Closing Prayer: (5 minutes) Invite the group to get still and focus on their
breathing before beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence, We are ever grateful for each opportunity to be active expressions
of God, to shine with the Christ light within, and to extend the loving kindness that
is our Buddha-nature to every living being, and know that everything we are and
everything we see, is beautiful and divine. Amen.
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AFTER CLEANING UP BALLOON PIECES, HEAD TO THE MAIN
MEETING AREA
Indie of the Day: Miranda - I Think
Family Group #4 - Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Welcome family members as they come in. Take attendance, fill in the attendance
sheet and leave it outside of the door for the Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Father, Mother, God.... Thank you for this wonderful day on such holy ground. As
we come into this time of family, we grow closer together, strengthening our
relationships and using this time to grow spiritually. Today, we consciously create
our own reality, choosing to be happy and whole. And so it is, amen.
Quote/Scripture: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life
you have imagined.” - Henry David Thoreau
Unity Principle: We are co-creators with God; creating reality through thoughts
held in mind.
Teen Version: I create my experiences by what I choose to think and what I feel
and believe.
Discussion (20 minutes): Service/Job Shadowing and Miranda’s Truth Talk
Lead a discussion around this morning’s service/job shadowing experience.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What did you learn about Unity Village this morning?
What did you learn about yourself?
What is one thing you really enjoyed?
Is there anything you would like to learn more about?
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Lead a discussion around Miranda’s truth talk choosing from the following
questions as time allows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What was the main point of Miranda's Truth Talk?
Did she bring up anything that you can relate to?
How did she show the theme of the day in her own life?
What did you learn about today’s Unity principle?
What did you learn about yourself?
How did her talk relate to today's theme?
What is one thing you will take away from her truth talk?
Activity: Light as a feather, stiff as a board (25 minutes)
One person will lay down in the middle. The goal is for everybody to be able to lift
this person using just two fingers on each hand. This will be done twice with two
different methods with as many people as time allows (or who want to.)
1st time: Everybody places two fingers from each hand underneath the person
using safe touch and tries to lift him/her.
2nd time: The same is done, but everybody, after centering themselves through the
breath including the person being lifted, repeats the phrase ‘light as a feather, stiff
as a board.’
Discuss results using the following questions:
What was your experience in picking up each person the first time?
What was your experience in picking up each person the second time?
Why do you think there was a difference?
How does this activity relate to the Unity principle from today’s theme?
Activity: Writing Your Destiny (20 minutes)
Supplies Needed: paper, pens/pencils, your imagination
Say, This activity is a combination of visualization and a bit of magic from the
book Inkheart. Writing is a form of visualization, so in this activity, you will be
writing yourself into a situation that you want to manifest. Picture yourself in that
ideal situation. It could be behind the wheel of your dream car, working the perfect
job, or attending that amazing college. Whatever it is, imagine it, and then write
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yourself into it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t write well, as long as what you write
inspires a feeling of excitement when you read it. An example, “I am in class at
Unity Institute. When I look around me, I see my professor and my classmates.
Right now I am in my favorite class, Interfaith Prayer and we are learning how to
lead a mindfulness prayer…..”
Spend about 15 minutes for writing time.
Say, In Inkheart, the character Silvertongue, can read something out loud and have
it come to life before his eyes. You have the option to read what you wrote out
loud. If not, wait until you have a few moments alone to read or speak it.
Closing Prayer: Energy Ball (10 minutes)
Invite the family members to form a circle and hold hands. Using the energy ball,
have one person touch one of the electrodes while the person beside them touches
the other electrode. This will make the Energy Ball buzz as long as everyone
around the circle is holding hands. Invite two people standing next to each other to
let go of their hands and the buzzing will stop. Now have them touch their hands
together and let go, touch and let go as if they were clapping their hands with each
other. The buzzing will come and go in rhythm with their clapping. Say, We are
One in the Spirit, and through our divine connection, we have the power to cocreate our world. AMEN.
HEAD TO THE MAIN MEETING AREA
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Indie of the Day: Kitty - I pray
Family Group #5 - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Welcome YOUers as they come in. Take attendance, fill in the attendance sheet
and leave it outside of the door for the Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Take a deep breath in, and let it out. As we reflect on our day we are grateful for all
of the growth and prayer we experienced. We know that through prayer we can
ground ourselves in this holy universe. Take another deep breath in….. and let it
out. Amen
Quote/Scripture: "Our prayers must mean something to us if they are to mean
anything to God." Maltbie D. Babcock
Unity Principle: Through prayer and meditation, we align our heart-mind with
God. Denials and affirmations are tools we use.
Teen version: Through affirmative prayer and meditation, I connect with God and
bring out the good in my life.
Discussion (15 minutes): Silence and Kitty’s Truth Talk
Lead a discussion around being in prayer and being in the Silence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
How is this family group’s quote related to today’s Unity principle?
What was your experience of being in the Silence this morning?
What did you learn about yourself?
What is one activity you really enjoyed while being in the Silence?
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Lead a discussion around Kitty’s truth talk choosing from the following questions
as time allows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What was the main point of Kitty's Truth Talk?
Did she bring up anything that you can relate to?
How did she show the theme of the day in her own life?
What did you learn about today’s Unity principle?
What did you learn about yourself?
How did her talk relate to today's theme?
What is one thing you will take away from her truth talk?
Activity: Heart Talk (55 minutes)
Materials: fuzzy heart
The goal of a heart talk is to authentically listen to each other. Review the
guidelines with family group members before beginning by asking people what
they think the guidelines should be and then filling in what they leave out.
Guidelines:
1. Only the person holding the heart talks.
2. You don’t judge, advise or criticize what anyone else has said.
3. You pass the heart to the left after your turn.
4. You talk about how you feel, in I statements, focusing on feelings and needs.
5. You can “pass” if you have nothing to say.
6. You keep the information confidential unless what is shared involves
danger for someone.
7. When the heart has gone around twice without anything being said the heart
talk is ended.
8. Listen with full attention given to the person speaking.
9. Respect the person holding the heart with no interrupting.
10.Be mindful of the time to make sure that everyone gets a chance to share.
Pass the heart around the circle, and continue passing it until someone keeps it
and says something. The heart talk is over when you go around the circle twice
and nobody has anything to say. After you are done, move into closing.
Closing Prayer (5 minutes): Invite the group to get still and focus on their
breathing before beginning the prayer.
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Take a deep breath in.. and let it out. Take another deep breath in.. and laugh it out.
We are so grateful for the releasing we have done, and support we have given. As
we move forward with our evening we enjoy a feeling of oneness. Amen.
HEAD TO THE MAIN MEETING AREA
Indie of the Day: Kimberly - I act
Family Group #6 - Friday 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Welcome YOUers as they come in. Take attendance, fill in the attendance sheet
and leave it outside of the door for the Head Sponsors.
Invite four different family group members to each choose to read one of the
following: 1. opening prayer, 2. quote/scripture verse, 3. Unity principle 4. closing
prayer (when it is time).(5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer: Invite the group to get still and focus on their breathing before
beginning the prayer.
Divine Presence, Thank you, thank you, thank you. We have received so many
gifts this week. Thank you for the chance to meet these amazing people, lessons
learned, and the facilities we were provided. We are truly blessed. Amen.
Quote/Scripture: “Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is
an experiment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” Plato
Unity Principle: Through thoughts, words and actions, we live the Truth we
know.
Teen version: I do and give my best by living the Truth I know. I make a
difference!
Discussion: Ask the group what today’s quotes and Unity principle mean for them.
Activity: Evaluations (15 minutes)
Hand out the evaluation forms and pens that are found in your family group bag
and give everyone time to fill them in.
Share: This is anonymous and should be filled out honestly. If there is something
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you feel should be addressed, don’t be afraid to share on the evaluations.
Once everyone is done, gather the completed forms and place back into the bag to
hand in to the leadership team.
Discussion: Kimberly’s Truth Talk (20 minutes)
Lead a discussion around Kimberly’s truth talk choosing from the following
questions as time allows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What was the main point of Kimberly's Truth Talk?
Did she bring up anything that you can relate to?
How did she show the theme of the day in her own life?
What did you learn about today’s Unity principle?
What did you learn about yourself?
How did her talk relate to today's theme?
What is one thing you will take away from her truth talk?
Activity: Family Group Love Note Bags (20 minutes)
Materials: Love Note paper, pens/markers
Give everyone in the group time to finish writing Love Notes for family members
and other friends at the event. As time allows, continue to reflect on the event as a
whole and process everything as a group with the following questions.
Discussion: IYOU Event (15 minutes)




What was your favorite part of this event?
Was there a challenging part that you worked through?
How are you going to use what you have learned in your everyday life?
How do you feel about the connections you have made during this event?
Closing Prayer: (5 minutes) For this, you will be doing a chain prayer. Have
everyone hold hands and take a deep breath in. One person will start the prayer
and when they are finished, they will pass it to the person on their left by squeezing
their hand. Continue the prayer until everyone has contributed. You may end it
with a Yay God!! (or however you choose.) Fuzzies!!!
PLEASE CLEAN UP YOUR FAMILY GROUP AREA,
PLACE EVERYTHING BACK IN THE FAMILY GROUP BAG AND
BRING WITH YOU TO DROP OFF IN THE ACTIVITY CENTER LOBBY.
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HEAD TO IYOU CLOSING CIRCLE
THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US AS A FAMILY GROUP FACILITATOR!
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
The following activities may be used if your group finishes any of your Family
Group meetings early and needs additional activities.
OPTION A: CIRCLE ACTIVITY 5-10 Minutes
Have the group form a circle. Have one person stand in the middle of the circle.
Have somebody time 30 seconds. During this 30 seconds everyone on the outside
of the circle says really nice things to the person on the inside of the circle (i.e.
you’re beautiful, you have a very calming presence, you have an amazing voice,
you have a great sense of humor that brings laughter to everyone around you, you
are kind and thoughtful, you’re great at basketball—whatever wonderful things
you feel toward the person). Don’t be afraid to have everyone talking at once. The
effect should be a sort of torrent of compliments washing over the person on the
inside of the circle. Once the 30 seconds is up have another person step into the
center of the circle and repeat the process until everyone has had a turn on the
inside of the circle.
If you want to make things a little more interesting, the group can combine this
activity with the willow activity so that each person is passed within the circle of
trust and told positive things.
OPTION B – CIRCLE MASSAGE 5 Minutes
Have group stand in a circle so that their shoulders are touching. Have the group
turn to their right and gently massage the upper back and shoulders of the person
on your right. After a few minutes, turn to the left and massage the back and
shoulders of the person on the left. As you massage, send love and light to the
person you are massaging.
OPTION C – HUMAN KNOT 5-10 Minutes
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Form a circle with hands in the middle. Take the hand of someone in the circle. Do
not take the hand of the person standing on either side of you. Do not take both
hands of the same person. Now you have to untie the knot and re-form the circle
without letting go of your hands.
OPTION D– Willow Trust Circle 5-10 Minutes
Form a circle standing around a volunteer who stands in the middle. Have
everyone in the circle stand shoulder to shoulder facing the center of the circle with
hands held at chest height, palms forward. Each person should have one foot
slightly behind the other for good balance. The people in the circle have become a
summer breeze and the person in the center will be the willow.
The willow stands in the center of the circle with feet together, arms crossed over
the chest, and eyes closed. Keeping the feet stationary and the body straight but
relaxed, the willow lets go, swaying from side to side, forward and back. Those in
the circle support the willow with gentle pushes of their palms. Make sure that
there are at least two people supporting the willow at all times. Each person
gets to be the willow in the wind, having the opportunity to trust others and
experience the trust in the group.
Since the purpose of the activity is to provide an experience of trust, each member
must contribute to a comfortable trusting environment by observing these
guidelines:
· No talking or laughing
· Do the activity in silence so everyone can experience the feeling of trust.
· Being smooth and gentle when moving the person around and pay attention to
individual differences (height, weight, degree of trust)
OPTION E - THE FRUIT GAME 5-10 Minutes
One of the hardest things in life is self-control, which this activity accurately
displays! Put chairs in a circle and have everyone stand up in front of their chair.
Get everyone in your group to pick a different fruit. When the game begins, the
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person who starts says their fruit name, and then the fruit of another person in the
circle. Example:
1st Person: "Lemon, Banana."
2nd Person: "Banana, Kiwi."
3rd Person: “Kiwi, Orange”
However, there are two special rules to this game: You must keep your tongue out
the whole time, and you cannot laugh! Anyone who does either is "out" for the
remainder of the game. Anyone who is “out” sits down in their chair.
Option F – Choices 5-10 Minutes
Masking Tape
Use masking tape to draw a line on the floor. Identify an “A” side and a “B” side.
Ask groups the following questions. After each question, invite the group to stand
on the side they feel best answers the question. After group has made their choice,
ask some members on each side why they made the choices they did.
Of the following two choices which one do you most relate to or which best
describes you?
A) Mountain
B) Canyon
A) Big City
B) Small Town
A) Sunrise
B) Sunset
A) Pen
B) Pencil
A) Leaf
B) Wind
A) Physical
B) Mental
A) Tortoise
B) Hare
A) Table
B) Chair
A) Oak Tree
B) Willow
Would you describe your leadership skills as A) a Hammer or B) a Nail?
Would you describe your following skills as A) Thunder or B) Rain?
When this group is asked to make a decision is it like A) a River or B) a Lake?
When this group must complete a task is it more like A) a Sloth or B) a cheetah?
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