It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. — Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States

The Unitarian Universalist Principle that we are all responsible for the planet and we are connected to all beings is perhaps the most concrete of our Principles. Children are especially attracted to the strong association with animals and nature. This session encourages our children to care for the earth and helps them understand that our actions affect every living thing on our planet, including ourselves. The session theme is "We are connected to the earth in love."

When we show love for our planet by advocating protection of animal habitats or trees, we are living our seventh Unitarian Universalist Principle. In the story, set in the Amazon Rainforest, a man is about to cut down a tree when he learns how many different animals depend upon it for their lives. The session highlights the unique animals and plants that live on this earth and helps participants understand the interdependence of all life.

Goals

This session will:

• Introduce the Unitarian Universalist belief in caring for our planet earth and every living thing that shares it with us—our seventh Principle
• Demonstrate how what happens to one aspect of nature affects us all
• Teach that that acting to take care of the earth is an expression of love for every living thing.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Learn that Unitarian Universalists believe we must show love to all living things by taking special care of the earth
• Understand the interdependence of all life, through a story in which one tree is important to the survival of many other living things
• Learn about the Amazon Rainforest, an endangered animal habitat.