Session 3: Thanks Be for Trees! Part of World of Wonder In This Section Introduction From World of Wonder No shade tree? Blame not the sun but yourself. — Chinese proverb This session focuses on the vital role trees play in our ecosystems, as imaginatively... Session-at-a-Glance From World of Wonder Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — Amrita's Tree 10 Activity 3: Build a Tree 15 Activity 4: Acorn Guided... Spiritual Preparation From World of Wonder Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to... Opening From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1)... Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Inflatable earth ball or globe, available from... Activity 2: Story - Amrita's Tree From World of Wonder Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Amrita's Tree" A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such... Activity 3: Build a Tree From World of Wonder Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity A chime or rain stick Preparation for Activity Find a large, open space, preferably outdoors, with plen... Activity 4: Acorn Guided Mediation From World of Wonder Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Acorn Guided Meditation Acorns Optional: Music and/or quiet nature sounds, and a mus... Closing From World of Wonder Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, Mural Image—White Oak, and tape Closing song... Leader Reflection and Planning From World of Wonder Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team leaders... Faith In Action: Tree Planting From World of Wonder Materials for Activity Information about various tree-planting campaigns Tree(s), shovels, water, garden gloves Preparation for Activity Explore... Alternate Activity 1: Welcoming Web Game From World of Wonder Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ball of yarn Preparation for Activity Clear an open space where the group can sit in a circle.... Alternate Activity 2: Tree Rubbings From World of Wonder Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Light-colored 11x17-inch paper, and pencils or crayons for all participants Pencils or crayons Tree... Alternate Activity 3: Getting to Know a Tree From World of Wonder Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Lengths of clean cloth for covering eyes Preparation for Activity Select a safe, accessible outdoor... Taking It Home: Thanks Be for Trees! From World of Wonder No shade tree? Blame not the sun but yourself. — Chinese proverb IN TODAY'S SESSION... we learned about trees' vital role in our lives. We used our... Amrita's Tree From World of Wonder Adapted from "Amrita's Tree" in The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales by Dawn Casey and Anne Wilson (Cambridge: Barefoot Books, 2009). Used by permission. Leader Resource 1: Acorn Guided Meditation From World of Wonder Today we built a tree using the outside of our bodies. Now we'll go inside our imaginations. Let's imagine what it might feel like to grow from an acorn... Leader Resource 2: Mural Image - White Oak From World of Wonder Photo by Karren Wcisel, used by permission. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing. Find Out More From World of Wonder Learn more about trees and how to protect them from the Arbor Day Foundation. Visit the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth or the UUA's Green... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: World of Wonder NEXT: Introduction Download all of World of Wonder (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.