Session 7: The Power of Silence Part of Sing to the Power In This Section Introduction From Sing to the Power Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods. — Ralph Waldo Emerson The power of air is the power of silence, of clearing away the buzz of constant distractions so that we can listen to what is truly important both inside us and around us. In this session participants hear about... Session-at-a-Glance From Sing to the Power Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Story — One Square Inch 10 Activity 2: Sound Observation 14 Activity 3: Nature Sounds 12 Activity 4: Square Inch of Silence 14 Faith in Action: Exercising Air Power Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Sharing Joys and Sorrows 10 Alternate Activity 2: Distraction... 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: What sounds can you hear where you are sitting? How... 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 air, such as a feather, a pinwheel, a picture of clouds, a fan, etc.... Activity 1: Story - One Square Inch From Sing to the Power Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, "One Square Inch" Optional: Computer with Internet connection, and large monitor or digital projector and screen Preparation for Activity Read the story and prepare to share it with the group. Read the discussion questions. Choose those that... Activity 2: Sound Observation From Sing to the Power Activity time: 14 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers (red, green, and blue), and tape Clipboards, paper, and pencils for all participants Preparation for Activity Set up a clipboard with paper and a pencil for each participant.... Activity 3: Nature Sounds From Sing to the Power Activity time: 12 minutes Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Preview the Nature Songs website, and select sounds to play for the group. Find more nature sounds you can download to your computer, herehere. Activity 4: Square Inch of Silence From Sing to the Power Activity time: 14 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Meditation - Square Inch of Silence Bell or chime Optional: Pillows or mats Preparation for Activity Optional: Distribute pillows/mats so participants can sit out of arms reach of one another, to minimize the temptation to disrup... Closing From Sing to the Power Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle of Elements mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, "Silence" Circle, and tape Closing Words for Basket (Session 1, Leader Resource 5), and basket Bracelets from Session 1, plus lengths of cord for any new participants Large beads, one per... 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?... Faith In Action: Exercising Air 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 5 and 6. If your air 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: Distraction Experiment From Sing to the Power Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Hand-held video game device(s), such as Game Boy, DS, or iPod Touch Music, and a music player Stopwatch Preparation for Activity Make sure the video game device you will use has a game loaded that is (1) appropriate in... Taking It Home From Sing to the Power Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods. — Ralph Waldo Emerson IN TODAY'S SESSION... the children heard about Gordon Hempton's One Square Inch of Silence campaign to preserve spaces in which the only sounds are the sounds of nature. We toured our surroundings, listening for... One Square Inch From Sing to the Power On a moss-covered log, in the middle of the Hoh Rain Forest, in Olympic National Park in Washington State, there's reddish, square-ish stone. This stone may be the smallest, least noticeable marker ever for a really big idea. This stone marks one square inch of silence.... Leader Resource 1: Meditation - Square Inch of Silence From Sing to the Power Please close your eyes, and place your hands, palms open, in your lap. Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears. Push them up as high and tight as they will go, and then let your shoulders drop and relax.... Leader Resource 2: Silence 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 Visit the One Square Inch of Silence website. Read an article about one person's visit with Gordon Hempton. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Sing to the Power NEXT: Introduction Download all of Sing to the Power (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.