Session 5: The Power of Stillness Part of Sing to the Power In This Section Introduction From Sing to the Power In stillness the world is restored. — Lao Tzu The power of air is the power of stillness, of listening and openness and breathing. The story for this session brings together Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond with Elijah of Hebrew scripture finding God in the "still, small, voice." Participants... Session-at-a-Glance From Sing to the Power Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — Henry David Thoreau and the Still, Small, Voice 10 Activity 2: Adding Air Symbols to the Circle of the Elements Mural 12 Activity 3: Breath Meditation 8 Activity 4: Prayer Flags 20 Faith in Action: Exploring Ways to Exercise Air Power 30 Closing 5... 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: Do you take time in your life for silence and... Opening From Sing to the Power Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice or LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Opening Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 1), and basket Symbol of air, such as a feather, a pinwheel, a picture of clouds, a fan, etc Newsprint with "Now Let Us Si... Activity 1: Story - Henry David Thoreau and the Still, Small Voice From Sing to the Power Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "Henry David Thoreau and the Still, Small Voice" Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions. Choose those that will best help the children share their interpretations of the... Activity 2: Adding Air Symbols to the Circle of the Elements Mural From Sing to the Power Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements Mural Instructions (Session 1, Leader Resource 3) Paper, poster board, or fabric Paper or fabric and appropriate drawing tools (crayons, markers, permanent markers, or fabric paint), and tape or glue sticks Optional: Magazines to... Activity 3: Breath Meditation From Sing to the Power Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Breath Meditation Optional: Pillows or mats Preparation for Activity Optional: Consider providing pillows or mats to help everyone sit comfortably on the floor. Spread them far enough apart that participants will not be tempted to... Activity 4: Prayer Flags From Sing to the Power Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Swaths of solid color fabric Permanent markers or fabric paint Stapler Yarn Newspaper Preparation for Activity Choose an outdoor spot at your congregation where you can hang prayer flags, and get appropriate permissions. Cut or tear cloth into... Closing From Sing to the Power Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, "Stillness" Circle, and tape Circle of Elements Mural Instructions (Session 1, Leader Resource 3) Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Bracelets from Session 1... 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: Exploring Ways to Exercise Air Power From Sing to the Power Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Stickers or adhesive dots Preparation for Activity Research groups in your area that do good work that connects with the theme of "air power." This might include an organization that fosters people listening to one... 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 half-way with water. Set the bowl on a surface that will not be damaged if a small amount of water splashes out. Set out stones near the bowl,... Alternate Activity 2: Moving Candle Flame From Sing to the Power Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Candle, candle holder, and saucer for each participant Matches or lighter Preparation for Activity Make sure a candle with an open flame is allowed in your religious education space. Set candles firmly in candle holders. Set each candle holder on a... Alternate Activity 3: Prayer Pinwheels From Sing to the Power Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Peace Pinwheel Template and Instructions Pencils with attached eraser heads, and straight pins-one of each for every participant, plus some extra Scissors (including left-handed scissors), color pencils or markers, and glue sticks or tap... Taking It Home From Sing to the Power In stillness the world is restored. — Lao Tzu IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard a story which connected Henry David Thoreau seeking stillness at Walden Pond with the biblical story of Elijah finding God in the "still, small voice." We talked about air power as power that comes from... Henry David Thoreau and the Still, Small Voice From Sing to the Power Henry sat in front of his little cabin on one of his three chairs, listening to the evening. If you were there you might have thought there was nothing to listen to. Certainly no television or iPod. Those wouldn't be around for 100 years or more.... Handout 1: Peace Pinwheel Template and Instructions From Sing to the Power From the Pinwheels for Peace website, copyright 2005, Ayers and McMillan. Published with permission.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing... Leader Resource 1: Breath Meditation From Sing to the Power Read aloud at a measured pace, pausing between sentences. With your eyes closed, relax your body, starting with your head. Relax your face muscles, and then your neck, letting balance keep your head upright, rather than tension in your neck. Pull your shoulders up to your ears, and then let them... Leader Resource 2: Stillness Circle From Sing to the Power Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing... Find Out More From Sing to the Power Online, read quotes from Henry David Thoreau's Waldenhttp://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/walden-pond… Pond today. For more background on the philosophy Thoreau developed at Walden Pond and his connections to Unitarianism, see... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Sing to the Power NEXT: Introduction Download all of Sing to the Power (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.