Connections
Home CLF Home
Church of the Larger FellowshipConnections | |
| A "UU" Egg Tree & Ritual An Intergenerational Activity by Laura Cavicchio MAKING A 'UU' EGG TREE An Intergenerational Activity By Laura Cavicchio This is no ordinary egg tree – if indeed, there could be such a thing. It is a Unitarian Universalist egg tree. (See the illustration on page 4). The "UU" part is that the eggs are embellished with motifs that show some of the things that are important to most Unitarian Universalists. Like images from nature, flaming chalice designs, and symbols of world religions. You decide your own, of course. Even young children can learn to handle the eggs with care, and help to color or paint them. Try dyeing brown eggs for the rich, deep colors that result. Older children and grown-ups can experiment with different methods of decoration, such as decoupage. Try making a few new eggs each year. With careful storage, the eggs last for many years, to bring renewal and festivity time after time. To create your egg tree, you need:
EGG TREE RITUAL Once you have created your eggs and have the tree ready, you may wish to set aside a special time for hanging the eggs. Here is an intergenerational ritual that is especially inclusive of young children. First, reserve five eggs whose color and design represent the verses of "Celebrating Miracles" on page 4 – one egg for each verse. If you like, say some words of gathering, and light a chalice. Share the thought that the 'little egg' has been pretty important down through the ages, helping people to celebrate the miracles of birth and life. There are many very old 'egg stories', such as the one from the Hindu tradition that says that the world was created from a giant egg. Long before the advent of Christianity, the Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians and Persians saw the egg as a symbol of the universe. Signs of new life, including the egg, were revered as sacred, powerful, and magical. The 'little egg' is indeed, a miracle. Explain that a miracle is a wonderful surprise, or something very, very precious. Ask the children to share their ideas about miracles. Now, say that in celebration of the many miracles all around us, let us decorate our egg tree together. Recite "Celebrating Miracles". You might assign different readers to each verse, then have everyone read the affirmations that follow. As each verse is read, give the appropriate egg to a child to place on the egg tree. After the reading, hang any remaining eggs. Finish with a song or hymn, and if you like, the sharing of a special food. CELEBRATING MIRACLES A Reading for the Egg Tree by Laura Cavicchio Let us celebrate the miracle of earth: We need an egg the color of soil, The color of earthworms oozing through the dirt, And very busy ants, and seeds ready for life. We are thankful for the miracle of earth. Let us celebrate the miracle of love: We need an egg the color of hugs, The color of peace, not the color of war, And helping to build a better world. We are thankful for the miracle of love. Let us celebrate the miracle of spring: We need an egg the color of life returning, The color of crocus, and pussy willow, And a robin we discover in the yard. We are thankful for the miracle of spring. Let us celebrate the miracle of being born: We need an egg the colors of babies, The colors of strong arms that carry the children, And knowing that each child is our hope for tomorrow. We are thankful for the miracle of being born. Let us celebrate the miracle of our chalice light! We need an egg the color of freedom, The color of friendship, the color of searching, And the wonder of this life that brings us together. We are thankful for the miracle of our chalice light, mindful of the miracles that surround us all the days of our lives.  CLF Home Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-2823 Phone: (617) 742-2100, ext. 166 · Fax: (617) 523-4123 · Email: clf@uua.org Address of this page: http://www.uua.org/clf/connections/2001spring/eggtree.html | |