Session 4: It’s All in the Timing Part of Miracles In This Section Introduction From Miracles It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears. — Rod Serling I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. — Joseph Priestley, chemist,... Session-at-a-Glance From Miracles Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments 5 Activity 2: Serendipity 7 Activity 3: Story – Joseph Priestley 10 Activity 4: It's in the Air!... Spiritual Preparation From Miracles Set aside five minutes to prepare spiritually for leading the session. Center and focus on miracles, in particular the miracle of serendipity—when one accidentally stumbles on something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.... Opening From Miracles Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write the opening words on newsprint, and post. Description of Activity Gather participants in a circle. Welcome new participants and welcome back... Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments From Miracles Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Sheets of 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... Activity 2: Serendipity From Miracles Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity Miracles and science are not incompatible. Sometimes the unexplained is simply the unexplored.... Activity 3: Story – Joseph Priestley From Miracles Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “Joseph Priestley” Preparation for Activity Read the story and plan how you will tell it to the group. Description of Activity This activity explores the serendipitous events leading to the discovery of carbon dioxide. Activity 4: It’s in the Air! Preparing to See Priestley’s Experiments From Miracles Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Large note cards and markers (for Station Model) Trays for experiment materials Preparation for Activity Review experiments (Activities 5, 6, and 7).... Activity 5: Inflated Balloon Experiment From Miracles Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Tray to hold experiment materials One- or two-liter bottles, one bottle for each group Balloons that will fit over tops of the bottles, one per group Vinegar Baking soda Two 1/4 cup measuring cups Funnel (can be made from a sheet of paper) or... Activity 6: Heavier-than-Air Experiment From Miracles Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity Tray to hold experiment materials Wide-top glass jar or large clear plastic cups, one per participant or work group Baking soda Vinegar Two 1/4 cup measuring cups Children’s bubble soap with wand, enough for participants to share Optional: Two... Activity 7: Extinguished Flame Experiment From Miracles Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Tray to hold materials A tall, transparent glass Candles, a flat (not walled) candleholder such as a plate, and matches or a lighter (three sets of candle, candleholder, and matches, if using Station Model) Vinegar, and a 1/4 cup measuring scoop Bak... Activity 8: Reflection on Experiments From Miracles Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Description of Activity At the conclusion of the rotation, bring the group back together and prompt for their reflections on the experiments. Ask them to describe the transformations they observed. Ask if any of the... Closing From Miracles Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Optional: Session 1, Handout 1, Say “Yes” to a Miracle Optional: Session 1, Handout 2, For the Beauty of the Earth Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Review the song suggestions. Find lyrics and melody... Leader Reflection and Planning From Miracles We have continued this week with our exploration of miracles, and the scientific progress that they drive. Reflect on the themes of this session: the role of serendipity in discoveries both scientific and spiritual, and the Humanist Unitarian Universalist Source which counsels us to heed the... Faith In Action: Plant a Tree From Miracles Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access Description of Activity Trees are the longest living organisms on earth and supply us with the oxygen we need to live. One acre of trees can eliminate the carbon dioxide that 87,000 miles worth of driving can produce.... Alternate Activity 1: Raisin Lava Lamp From Miracles Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Clear carbonated water or soda Tall clear glass Small raisins Description of Activity Gather participants around the tall glass so all can see. Fill the glass with the carbonated liquid, and then gently add a few raisins.... Taking It Home From Miracles It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears. — Rod Serling I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. — Joseph Priestley, chemist,... Joseph Priestley From Miracles As a child, Joseph Priestley noticed something that would influence the rest of his life: If you keep a bug in a jar for too long, it will die. At the time Joseph Priestley didn’t understand why that was true—nobody did. No one really studied the air; it was something everyone took for granted. Find Out More From Miracles Ahttp://www.chemheritage.org/discover/online-resources/chemistry-in-hist…; biography on the website of the Chemical Heritage Foundation gives background on Joseph Priestley. A detailed, reflective http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/people/4277/pr…; on Priestley’s life and... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Miracles NEXT: Introduction Download all of Miracles (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.