RD 10 We Are All Together And Different - Sharing A Common Task Or Value

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMIC 10 RD 10: WE ARE ALL TOGETHER AND DIFFERENT - SHARING A COMMON VALUE OR TASK INTRODUCTION Rituals are events shared by people with something in common. Essentially established rituals are the times and ways through which we renew links and re-establish who, and what, are important to us. Many rituals have a long history, even if for most of the year we don’t think about them. We sometimes realise this when someone suggests changing or omitting a ritual event, and many previously silent, or even absent voices suddenly are heard shouting ‘no’ . So, rituals, although not always referred to, are deep in our different human experiences. They may be determined by the calendar, a birthday date or an important date in the story of a culture or identity; an event such as a wedding, birth, or bereavement; a celebration of success. Rituals can be shared by members of a family, friendship group, cultures, traditions, teams, faiths and many more. Essentially rituals are events when members of a group share an experience together; re-affirm a shared value; or re-commit to undertake a shared task. In a particular moment, different people move together in one space or through one shared routine that renews their bonds and sense of belonging. When a ritual ends, each person having been united, is set free to get on with their daily lives. All human groups have rituals. What rituals do you take part in with family, friends, colleagues, team mates?

RD 10: WE ARE ALL TOGETHER AND DIFFERENT - SHARING A COMMON VALUE OR TASK

Summary

In modern society some long established groups are losing their members and strength. They begin to wither yet still hold on to their long established rituals. Other long established groups are changing and redefining who can be a member. Such groups have revitalised ritual events. New groups are always forming and developing new rituals. Massive annual modern festivals of music and dance; and large sporting and drama festivals are now becoming strong rituals in the life of towns, cities, regions.

Some progressive societies, that were previously homogenous, are now becoming more diverse and consciously developing new, inclusive, civic rituals that involve all as equal citizens. Increasingly states are establishing new rituals of naturalisation, events that recognise people becoming new citizens and acquiring full citizenship! Rituals for modern people, are events with deep links in human culture, even though many do not acknowledge this, preferring to see themselves as unique. Often memories are shared and there is both nostalgia for the past and some sense of how the group sees their future. Commitments are made to one another, whether they are carried out or not. Often some rituals involve the members explicitly re-committing themselves to promote certain values and principles. Rituals, when they work for participants, are great occasions when people celebrate belonging. People come together from their separate places and interests into membership of a wider community. In a sense, all those joining the ritual, for a time, come parallel with one another and share the experience of ‘all being one’. At the conclusion, each person regains their individual sense and freedom, free to set off on their own journey until the next ritual. Morrow, Eyben, and Wilson, (2003) From the Margin to the Middle:Taking Equity, Diversity and Interdependence Seriously. In: Researching the Troubles. (Eds: Hargie and Dickson), Mainstream Publishing (Edinburgh), Morrow, Eyben, and Wilson, (2000) Reconciliation and Social Inclusion in Rural Areas. Rural Community Network, Cookstown. i J.P. Lederach, Journey Toward Reconciliation, Herald Press,1999 ii. V. Braithwaite, The Hope Process and Social Inclusion, The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2004; 592; See http://ann.sagepub.com/cgi/content/ abstract/592/1/128 iii. Eyben, Morrow & Wilson, A Worthwhile Venture? Investing in Equity, Diversity and Interdependence in Northern Ireland, Ulster University, 1997 iv. The Equity, Diversity and Interdependence Framework-A Framework for Organisational Learning and Change Developed within the Not-for-Profit and Public Sectors in Northern Ireland, Eyben, Morrow & Wilson with Robinson, 2001; The REDI Report, Newry and Mourne Council, Ulster, 2003. v. Paul Gifford, Towards Reconciliation - Understanding Violence and the Sacred after Rene Girard, James Clarke & Co, Cambridge, 2020. pp 8 -10 and many others. vi See Jenkins definition of restorative in ANZJFT Volume 27 Number 3 2006 pp. 153-162 See also Restorative and Responsive Human Services, Gale Burford, John Braithwaite, Valerie Braithwaite. Routledge, 2019. vii See DA Wilson, ‘Building Hopes for Brighter Futures, Working with children and young people in Dublin’s North East Inner City to restore relationships and bring about lasting change in their communities’. National College of Ireland-Depart. of Children and Youth Affairs, Ireland, 2018 Pp27-38