Enter the River Enter the River Study Guide Session 9: Celebration Handout for Session 9: Cultural tasks For a male: Go in to the men's bathroom. Bring back three things you find there. For a female: Go in to the women's bathroom. Bring back three things you find there. Count how many food brand names/logos you can find in the church kitchen. Count the total number of observable pierced body parts you find among church members in all Sunday School classes. Ask someone in the group if you can have permission to look in their purse or handbag to count the number of pictures. Collect all the wallets in the class, count the total amount of cash. Go and watch the person counting the amount of cash in the wallets. Find out from any participant who has cash that was not turned in how much cash they have with them. Find out the number of drugs (of any sort) present in this church building. Find out the number of pens and pencils present in the room. While people are doing their tasks, sit and listen with your eyes closed. Identify the loudest sound you can hear. During the discussion time following this activity, keep track of the number of times male and female participants speak (not including the facilitator). Do not let anyone know you are doing this. Just tell them you've been asked to report later on. Use the form below. The facilitator will let you know when to report: For a male: Talk casually with another man while standing up. See how close you can get to him before he takes a step away from you. Repeat once or twice. For a female: Talk casually with another woman while standing up. See how close you can get to her before she takes a step away from you. Repeat once or twice. Look at any printed materials on display in this room. Find out (through pictures, descriptions, etc.) which ethnicities are represented among the authors. Listen for and keep track of people's comments, body movement, discussion regarding their lack of shoes during the task period. Note which images, metaphors and expressions are used. At random, ask ten (or fewer depending on group size) other male participants what their annual individual (not household) income is. Average the total from the answers received. At random, ask ten (or fewer depending on group size) other female participants what their annual individual (not household) income is. Average the total from the answers received. Find out how many different languages are spoken by participants in this class or the entire church. During the task period, every time you think that a minute has gone by, say as loudly as you feel comfortable, "I think another minute has gone by." Note people's responses. Count the number of vehicles in the parking lot. Also note the range of colors and styles. Clearly identify the ethnic groups represented among this church body. Write down on a piece of paper all the verbal expressions of anger (i.e. swear words, oaths, curses, profanities) that you have heard uttered during any of the gatherings of this church. Find out how many people have their calendars or datebooks with them today. Count the number, type and color of floor coverings in this building. Collect everything that people are carrying in their pockets. Sort through the items. Group them according to function. Keep track of laughter during the task period. Identify the reasons for people's laughter as specifically as possible. Give a compliment to several of your fellow participants. Observe how they react. Find someone who can tell you the complete names of all their great-grandparents. Sit in the middle of your table until at least two people have asked you why you are sitting there. Answer them any way you choose. For a male: Based on what you have observed so far in this church, identify three dress codes for males in this group. For a female: Based on what you have observed so far in this church, identify three dress codes for females in this group. For racially diverse groups, during the discussion time following this activity, keep track of the number of times white people and people of color (members of these groups - African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native American and Pacific Islanders) speak (not including the facilitator). Do not let anyone know you are doing this. Just tell them you've been asked to report later on. At random, ask twenty-four people how old they are. Figure out the average age of this group. Collect all the watches and arrange the watches from biggest to smallest. Is there any correlation between this arrangement and how power is distributed among the watches' owners in the group? Find out how many people in the group will tell you how they voted in the last presidential election. Find out how many people in the group will tell you how they voted in the last mayoral election. Observe the body language of people in the room. What does that tell you about comfort levels, interest levels, who is in control? Session 9: Celebration • Enter the River Study Guide Outline •