Tapestry of Faith: Circle of Trees: A Multigenerational Program about Nourishing Deep Connections with Nature

Introduction

Part of Circle of Trees

I think that I shall never see

A billboard lovely as a tree.

Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,

I'll never see a tree at all. — Ogden Nash, American poet, "Song of the Open Road" (1933)

This workshop briefly addresses the peril of global climate change with a focus on the progress that can be made when each of us takes action. Participants view a visual essay by Canadian activist Franke James and create one of their own.

Goals

This workshop will:

  • Show how one person's actions to combat climate change can make a difference
  • Encourage participants to take personal actions and work with others to address climate change
  • Reinforce the concept of interdependence as expressed in the seventh Unitarian Universalist Principle, "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part"
  • Affirm stewardship of the earth as an explicit act of faith.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

  • Be inspired to take action following the example in the visual essay
  • Explore personal and collective actions they can take to address climate change
  • Build on their understanding of and respect for trees through multiple modes of learning, including a visual essay, movement, meditation, and song
  • Experience multigenerational learning.