Session 8: Still a Mystery

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Miracles, Wide Age Span

In This Section

Introduction
From Miracles

Dogbert (gazing at night sky): No matter how bad the day is, the stars are always there. Dilbert: Actually, many of them burned out years ago, but their light is just now reaching earth. Dogbert: Thank you for shattering my comfortable misconception. Dilbert: It’s the miracle of science. — Scott…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Miracles

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments 5 Activity 2: Story – Things We Still Can’t Explain 10 Activity 3: Miracle Charades 20 Activity 4: Miracles Revisited 15 Faith in Action: Miracles in a Science Museum Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Magical Rising Coin 5 Alternate…
Spiritual Preparation
From Miracles

Take five minutes to center yourself. Think about miracles, in particular the miracle of mysteries that science has not yet explained. Find a comfortable position, and take three deep breaths. Feel the details of your body: where it is touching the chair, how your feet feel on the floor, the…
Opening
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post the newsprint with the chalice-lighting words below. Description of Activity Gather participants in a circle around the chalice. Welcome new…
Activity 1: Sharing Miracle Moments
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Newsprint with definition(s) of a miracle generated by the group (Session 1) Preparation for Activity Post the newsprint with the group’s definition(s) of a miracle. Prepare to share, in a phrase or sentence, a “miracle…
Activity 2: Story – Things We Still Can’t Explain
From Miracles

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “Things We Still Can’t Explain” Leader Resource 1, Ball Lightning Images Leader Resource 2, Earthquake Lights Image Leader Resource 3, Sliding Rocks Images Optional: Computer and a projector or large monitor, ideally with…
Activity 3: Miracle Charades
From Miracles

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint with definition(s) of a miracle generated by the group (Session 1) Small slips of paper and pencils Two baskets or other containers Timepiece (seconds) Preparation for Activity Post newsprint for scoring….
Activity 4: Miracles Revisited
From Miracles

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Session 1, Leader Resource 1, It’s a Miracle Newsprint with the definition(s) of miracles generated by the group in this program Preparation for Activity Print Session 1, Leader Resource 1, It’s a Miracle. Post the newsprint sheets describing and…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Miracles

Meet with your co-leader(s) after this session to look back over the entire program. Recall moments that demonstrated participants’ engagement. Identify your own experiences of learning and growing….
Closing
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home Optional: Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Choose a closing song; if you like, invite a musical volunteer to help lead. Or, choose a closing reading. If needed, write song lyrics or closing words on newsprint, and…
Faith In Action: Miracles in a Science Museum
From Miracles

Materials for Activity Clipboards, paper, and pencils Preparation for Activity Plan for the group to visit a local science museum. Arrange for transportation, fees (ask about a group rate), and parent volunteers so that all participants will be able to explore the museum in a small group with an…
Alternate Activity 1: Magical Rising Coin
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A coin Adhesive putty A cup of water A non-transparent bowl Preparation for Activity Set the coin in the middle of the bowl, at the bottom, using a small amount of the adhesive putty to keep it in place….
Alternate Activity 2: Making a Rainbow
From Miracles

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A clear plastic box, filled halfway with water A hand mirror that will fit inside the box Flashlight Thick black construction paper or poster board, scissors, and tape A white card Preparation for Activity Plan to do this activity in a room you can…
Taking It Home: Still a Mystery
From Miracles

Dogbert (gazing at night sky: No matter how bad the day is, the stars are always there. Dilbert: Actually, many of them burned out years ago, but their light is just now reaching earth. Dogbert: Thank you for shattering my comfortable misconception. Dilbert: It’s the miracle of science. — Scott…
Things We Still Can’t Explain
From Miracles

Sources used for this story include: “Rai… Heaven: Where Rocks Go Wandering,” by Tim Cahill (National Geographic). The world still holds many wonders that science—so far— cannot explain. As you learn about the three mysteries described, see if you can hypothesize any scientific…
Leader Resource 1: Ball Lightning Images
From Miracles

The photograph of ball lightning is reproduced from the HypeScience website. The 1886 illustration of ball lightning, “Globe of Fire Descending into a Room,” is public domain from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Leader Resource 2: Earthquake Lights Image
From Miracles

These earthquake lights were observed minutes before the 8.0 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan, China in 2008. Photo is from a video posted on YouTube.
Leader Resource 3: Sliding Rocks Images
From Miracles
Find Out More
From Miracles

A Look at Awe On Vimeo, watch a presentation by Jason Silva based on research including the book, The Biological Advantage of Being Awestruck, by Nicholas Humphrey. More Research on Unexplained Phenomena Abundant Internet articles hypothesize about as-yet-unexplained natural phenomena….