Jane Hirshfield (1953- ), from Of Gravity and Angels (Middleton, CT: Weslyan University Press, 1988).A woman tells me the story of a small wild bird beautiful on her window sill, dead three days. How her daughter came suddenly running, "It's moving, Mommy, he's alive." And when she went, it was....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Soft, flexible wire, hemp, leather, or cotton cord cut into two-foot lengths Lettered beads Question mark beads Optional: A WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?) or WWUUD? (What Would UU Do?) bracelet Preparation for Activity Make sure you have plenty of...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Pens or pencils and journals Art supplies such as drawing paper, pastels, markers, and crayons Optional: CD player and background music for meditation Leader Resource 1: Spiritual Guides Meditation Preparation for Activity If you plan to lead the...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Pens or pencils and journals Optional: CD player and CD of instrumental music Preparation for Activity If participants are allowed to leave the immediate area to write, decide how you will call everyone back (with a bell/chime, verbally, or by...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, "A Story," by Jane Hirshfield Handout 2, "Love in the Classroom," by Al Zolynas Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handouts 1, "A Story" and 2, "Love in the Classroom," one for each participant....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint or dry erase board and markers Pens or pencils and journal Preparation for Activity Write each of the following prompts on newsprint (two per sheet) or on the dry erase board, leaving room around each for participant's comments: Argument...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice Singing the Living Tradition hymnal Preparation for Activity If hymnals are not always available, consider printing the words below on newsprint and posting the sheet in the workshop space. Description of Activity Use the Closing designed by...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Blank note cards Pens or pencils Optional: Art materials such as pastels, markers, charcoal, or crayons Optional: CD player and music Description of Activity Each participant writes a thank-you note to a teacher in his/her past. Have participants...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matchers Description of Activity Use the Opening designed by your group or the one provided below. Gather around the chalice. As a volunteer lights the chalice, ask the group to focus on the words "spiritual guides," in silence....

Adapted from instructions provided by Elizabeth Waldorf and the Gulf Coast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (GCUUF), Gulfport, MS.These instructions are the steps taken by the GCUUF when they created a butterfly garden for a local elementary school. You may use these instructions or follow...

Welcome to your butterfly garden! The garden needs you to take care of it. Here are a few easy ways to care for your garden: Because many plants are poisonous, never taste or eat any plant part. Do not walk among the plants or step on plants. A broken branch wounds the plant....

Daniel Henderson (1880-1955)In certain parts of Great Britain, where families commonly kept beehives, people believed the first thing you should do when a relative dies is to tell the bees. BEES, go tell the things he treasured — Oak and grass and violet — That although his life was measured He...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity CDs of popular songs about nature Optional: CDs with songs about our spiritual connection to nature Preparation for Activity Have songs cued and ready to play. Description of Activity The group explores popular songs to discern their different...

Activity time: 40 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and markers, at least one sheet and marker for each participant Journals and pens or pencils Preparation for Activity Make sure each participant has a comfortable place to sit. Description of Activity Participants will use their senses to...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, "A Nature-Lover Passes," by Daniel Henderson Preparation for Activity Photocopy Handout 1, "A Nature-Lover Passes," one for each participant. Description of Activity Participants read, hear, and discuss a poem about nature....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice Singing the Living Tradition Description of Activity Use the Closing designed by your group or the one provided below....

Materials for Activity Varied; see Leader Resource 1, Butterfly Garden Handout 2, Tips on Caring for Your Butterfly Garden Newsprint and markers A calendar Preparation for Activity Before presenting this idea to participants, seek support from others in the congregation, particularly the religiou...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and matches Description of Activity Use the Opening designed by your group or the one provided below. Gather around the chalice. As a volunteer lights the chalice, ask the group to focus on the word "nature" in silence. After about fifteen...

Arrange the room so participants can sit comfortably in a private space. Before you start the meditation, set a timer for ten minutes. Otherwise, keep an eye on a nearby clock. Throughout the meditation, speak with a clear, soft voice. Alternate your spoken instructions with periods of silence,...

from The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)Beauty XXV But the restless say, "We have heard her shouting among the mountains, And with her cries came the sound of hoofs, and the beating of wings and the roaring of lions." At night the watchmen of the city say, "Beauty shall rise with the...