Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.

Tree rings tell us about the tree’s life. Each ring tells the story of a year. If you see a small ring, there was little rain that year. If you see a large ring, it shows a year when the tree grew a lot. Start from the middle, the tree’s first year. Count the rings. How old was this tree when it...

Luís lived in the Arctic Circle with his parents who were researching the effects of global warming. Luís wondered about that as he went out for a walk. He didn’t think there was much global warming going on today. It didn’t feel warm to Luís, who was bundled up in a snowsuit, mittens, hat,...

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Cleaned, used items to be repurposed, e.g., socks, other clothing/fabric, buttons, coffee containers, paper towel tubes, non-recyclable bottles or cans, newspapers, greeting cards Arts and crafts materials and tools, e.g., thread and needles (needs...

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, How to Make an Anemometer Five 3 oz....

Materials for Activity Collection bin(s) Poster board or a roll of mural, markers, and paint Preparation for Activity Arrange a site for collection bins in the congregational building. Arrange for a congregational volunteer or staff member to monitor the collection bins for the duration of your...

Reflect together on the session. You may wish to use these questions: How was our mix of discussion and action? How well did the timing of this session work out? How well did participants understand and engage with spiritual concepts? How can we tell?...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Choose a closing song; if you like, invite a musical volunteer to help lead. Or, choose a closing reading. If needed, write song lyrics or closing words on newsprint, and...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Environmental Impact Game – Map Handout 3, Environmental Impact Game – Instructions Paper and pencils Optional: Prizes for all participants Preparation for Activity Read the Description of Activity, Handout 2, and Handout 3 to make sure...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post three sheets of blank newsprint with headings, “Sources of Energy,” “Means of Transportation,” and “Earth-friendly Actions.” Description of Activity Have participants brainstorm...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Tree Ring Analysis Optional: Clipboards and pencils Preparation for Activity Copy the handout. Read the scripted words in the Description of Activity....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “Luís and Mika” Preparation for Activity Read and prepare to tell the story. Description of Activity Read the story aloud to the group, and allow a few moments of silence. Then choose one or more of the following questions to...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Newsprint with definition(s) of a miracle generated by the group Preparation for Activity Post the definition(s) of a miracle that the group has generated. Prepare to share, in a phrase or sentence, a “miracle moment”...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the chalice lighting words on newsprint, and post. Description of Activity Gather participants in a circle around the chalice. Welcome new...

Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species—man--acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world. — Rachel Carson

Before the session, take five minutes to center yourself and think deeply about miracles, in particular regarding climate change. What miracle is needed? Find a comfortable position, and take three deep breaths....

Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species—man—acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world. — Rachel Carson Today’s children will have to adapt, as they grow up, to many impacts of global climate change. We hope they will also continue...

Loaves and Fishes In a sermon delivered in March, 2008 to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland, the Rev. Colin Bossen talks about the miracle of community transformation. He writes, in part: The story [Loaves and Fishes] is usually interpreted to highlight Jesus's miracle making...

Excerpts from Gil Bailie’s discussion of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, in Violence Unveiled: Humanity at the Crossroads (New York: Crossroad, 1995). …Jesus seems to have found the popular appetite for miracles exasperating. At times he fled from crowds looking for a miracle worker, and he...

“The Story of the Loaves and the Fishes,” adapted by Patti Walzer, M.Ed. Narrator: Wherever Jesus went, thousands of followers would come to hear him teach and to be healed of sickness. He and his disciples decided to escape awhile so that they could rest together undisturbed by the crowds of...