Session 3: The Power of Growth

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

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Part of Sing to the Power, Grades 4-5

In This Section

The Power of Growth: Introduction
From Sing to the Power

Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh The power of the earth is the power to bring forth new life and nurture growth. In an individual, growth power can foster change in oneself and in the wider world. The story of Mark…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Sing to the Power

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Putting Dreams into Action 10 Activity 2: “On a Good Day” Music Video 5 Activity 3: Tracking the Journey of Food 15 Activity 4: Decorating Pots and Planting Herbs 20 Faith in Action: Acting on Our Earth Power Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing…
Spiritual Preparation
From Sing to the Power

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 separate yourself from the activities of the day. When you feel settled and relaxed, consider: Where are your own personal “growing edges”? What…
Opening
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Opening Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1), and basket Cloth for altar or centering space Symbol of earth, such as a rock, bowl of dirt, crystal, etc….
Activity 1: Story - Putting Dreams into Action
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “Putting Dreams into Action” Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions….
Activity 2: "On a Good Day" Music Video
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access Optional: Digital projector and large monitor or projection screen Preparation for Activity Set a laptop or desktop computer where participants can gather around it….
Activity 3: Tracking the Journey of Food
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Reusable grocery bag, filled with a variety of grocery items Maps of the U.S. and the world A pad of small sticky notes Optional: Magnifying glass Preparation for Activity Shop for a grocery bag’s worth of food items….
Activity 4: Decorating Pots and Planting Herbs
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Clean, dry terra cotta pots (optional: matching saucers) Potting soil Packets of herb seeds, or herb plants ready to be transplanted Acrylic craft paint and paintbrushes Optional: Hot glue gun, hot glue, and smooth stones, “gems” or other waterproo…
Closing
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 1, “Growth” Circle, and tape Session 1, Leader Resource 3, Circle of Elements Mural Instructions Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Bracelets from Session 1, pl…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Sing to the Power

Reflect on and discuss with your co-leader(s): How did the timing go today? What might we do to make it work better? What worked well? What didn’t? What connections did we make with the children? What connections did the children make with each other? How was this evident? How could we build the…
Faith In Action: Exercising Earth Power
From Sing to the Power

Materials for Activity Optional: Digital still and/or video cameras Preparation for Activity This activity is designed to implement the project planned in Sessions 1 and 2. If your earth power activity requires travel beyond your congregation, recruit volunteers to provide transportation….
Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Attractive bowl Smooth stones, at least one for each participant Preparation for Activity Fill the bowl halfway with water. Set the bowl on a surface that will not be damaged if a small amount of water splashes out. Set stones near the bowl, where…
Alternate Activity 2: Exploring Food Deserts
From Sing to the Power

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape A computer with Internet access, and a large monitor or a digital projector and screen The address of your congregation Preparation for Activity Test Internet connection. Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity…
Taking It Home: The Power of Growth
From Sing to the Power

Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh IN TODAY’S SESSION… the children heard about Michael Covington and the Georgia Street Community Garden, an urban gardening and community center in Covington’s home neighborhood in…
Putting Dreams into Action
From Sing to the Power

In early 2008, Mark Covington was out of a job—a very common problem in his native city of Detroit, where unemployment rates are some of the highest in the country. Large sections of many neighborhoods have been abandoned as people have fled Detroit, looking for jobs and a better life somewhere…
Leader Resource 1: Growth Circle
From Sing to the Power

Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing…
Find Out More About Session 3
From Sing to the Power

The Georgia Street Community Collective (GSCC) website offers an up-to-date picture of the organization’s activities, and a bloghttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/11/detroit-urban-renewal… 2011 article from the British periodical The Guardian describes GSCC and the urban gardening…