Alternate Activity 2: Earth-based Reading and Reflection (30 minutes)
Materials for Activity
- One Singing the Living Tradition hymnbook
- Newsprint, markers, and tape
- Optional: Computer, digital projector, and digital slide that displays the reflection question from Leader Resource 2: Earth-based Reading and Reflection
- Paper for drawing or writing for all participants
- Drawing and writing implements, such as pencils, colored pencils, markers, crayons
- Optional: Additional arts and crafts materials, including colored paper, glue, or objects from nature such as leaves or flowers
- Bell
- Clock, watch, or timer that shows seconds
- Optional: Cordless microphone
Preparation for Activity
- Review Reading 524 in Singing the Living Tradition and mark the page.
- Write on newsprint, and post, the reflection question in Leader Resource 2: Earth-based Reading and Reflection. Or, download Leader Resource 2: Earth-based Reading and Reflection, create a digital slide with the text of the reflection question, and project the slide.
Description of Activity
Offer words from the contemporary Pagan spiritual leader Starhawk, Reading 524 in Singing the Living Tradition. Read the passage aloud slowly and clearly. You may wish to use a cordless microphone to make sure all participants can hear you.After some moments of silence, read the passage a second time. Invite participants to call out words or phrases from the reading that were significant to them.
Tell participants they will have five minutes of silent time to express their reflections on the reading. Invite them to use the question you have posted (or projected) to guide their reflections.
Indicate paper, writing and drawing implements, and other materials you have provided for those who wish to use them. Give participants permission to move in the silence—if their most authentic response is a dance, they can dance!
Read the posted (or projected) question aloud:
In the natural world, we experience the cycle of seed, blossom, fruit, and seed again. We experience the changing of the seasons, the times of light and dark, the cycle of life and death. What cycles and seasons are you experiencing now, and how do they influence your spirituality?
Ring the bell to begin the silent time for reflection and expression. Watch the time. Ring the bell again after five minutes.
Now, invite the group to form pairs to share their reflections and creations. Explain that they will have six minutes for sharing in pairs, preferably with someone with whom they have not spent time before. If you have an odd number of participants, create a triad.
Remind participants that they may share as much or as little as they feel comfortable sharing, and that each person should have the opportunity to speak uninterruptedly and to listen with care and attention. Encourage listeners to affirm speakers, when they have finished, with "Amen" or "Thank you."
Ring the bell at three minutes and at six minutes. If you have a triad, watch the time carefully, and remind these participants verbally to switch roles at each two-minute interval.
Regather the large group, inviting participants to bring with them any creations they would like to share. Ask for one or two volunteers to show or to read aloud their reflections. You may wish to pass the cordless microphone to participants who wish to read aloud, so that all can hear them.
Thank each participant who shares.
Lead a discussion with these questions:
- Do natural cycles influence your personal spirituality? If so, how? If not, why not?
- How might the seasons affect us spiritually? Would anyone like to share an example?
- How about the cycles of life—birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood, eldering, death. How might the cycles of our own lives, or the cycles of others in our lives, affect us spiritually? Would anyone like to share an example?
- Do you consider your spirituality Earth-centered? Why, or why not?
- What realizations or learnings have come to you through doing this reflection that you can carry forward?
Including All Participants
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
