Workshop 1: Come Into the Circle

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Circle of Trees

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Introduction
From Circle of Trees

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. — Chinese proverb Trees are an integral part of all life on earth, and they are facing stresses as a result of deforestation and pollution—stresses that threaten our very existence. As Unitarian Universalists who affirm…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Circle of Trees

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering Opening 5 Activity 1: Rise Up for Trees, Team Up for Trees 10 Activity 2: Guided Imagery — Among the Trees 5 Activity 3: Creating Our Covenant 10 Activity 4: Story — The Tree in the Ancient Forest 10 Activity 5: Make a Tree 15 Faith in Action: Choosing a…
Spiritual Preparation
From Circle of Trees

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….
Welcoming and Entering
From Circle of Trees

Materials for Activity Leaf name tag template, and construction paper, scissors, hole punch, and yarn Bold markers Preparation for Activity Make leaf-shaped name tags for all expected participants and co-leaders, plus a few extra….
Opening
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a circle….
Activity 1: Rise Up for Trees / Team Up for Trees
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Rise Up for Trees / Team Up for Trees Preparation for Activity Choose one version (Rise Up for Trees or Team Up for Trees) to use for this workshop, and plan to use the other version in the next workshop. Read the resource and…
Activity 2: Guided Imagery - Among the Trees
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Guided Imagery — Among the Trees Preparation for Activity Read the guided imagery so you will be comfortable leading the activity….
Activity 3: Creating Our Covenant
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Post a blank sheet of newsprint where all participants can see it, and write “Our Covenant” at the top. Description of Activity Participants create a group covenant. Point out that how we behave…
Activity 4: Story - The Tree in the Ancient Forest
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Tree in the Ancient Forest” Optional: A copy of the http://www.carolreed-jones.com/the_tree_in_the_ancient_forest_11318.htm… Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones Optional: Pictures of ancient trees Preparation for Activity Rea…
Activity 5: Make a Tree
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chime or rain stick Preparation for Activity Designate a large, open space (preferably outdoors) with plenty of room for movement and where noise will not disturb others. Determine how participants with mobility issues can fully engage in this…
Closing
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Taking It Home Handout 2, Selected Bibliography Basket for name tags on the centering table Preparation for Activity Download the Taking It Home section of this workshop to reflect the activities this group has done….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Circle of Trees

Meet with your co-leader after the workshop to reflect on the following: How was the mix of discussion and action? In the midst of the busy-ness, did you successfully include spiritual elements? How well did the activities include everyone? Were the activities appropriate for the ages in the group?
Faith In Action: Choosing a Project
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Tree-Related Project Ideas Colored dot stickers or other stickers Preparation for Activity Make copies of Handout 1 for the group to share. Research local tree groups, for example: Trees Atlanta, dedicated to…
Alternate Activity 1: Song - Meditation on Breathing
From Circle of Trees

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Multiple copies of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook supplement, Singing the Journey Optional: Computer with Internet access, or a recording of the song “Meditation on Breathing” Preparation for Activity Lea…
Taking It Home: Come Into the Circle
From Circle of Trees

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. — Chinese proverb IN TODAY’S WORKSHOP … we explored our relationship to trees and heard a story about the interdependence of the ancient forest. We affirmed the value—for ourselves and for the group—of treating each…
The Tree in the Ancient Forest

Carol Reed-Jones

From Circle of Trees

We gratefully acknowledge Dawn Publications for permission to use the text of the children’s picture book The Tree in the Ancient Forest by Carol Reed-Jones. This is the ancient forest. This is the three-hundred-year-old tree That grows in the ancient forest….
Handout 1: Tree-Related Project Ideas
From Circle of Trees

Here are some suggestions for tree-related projects: Create a “Tree Guide” to the congregation’s property. Identify the types of trees, and prepare informational plaques to be placed along a trail that congregants can use as a self-guided tour….
Handout 2: Selected Bibliography
From Circle of Trees

A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard. Readers will climb through the pages of this vivid photographic book to explore the parts of a tree and understand their functions. In summer, the tree sunbathes and seethes with animal life. With autumn comes the flowing sap that makes maple syrup for…
Leader Resource 1: Rise Up for Trees - Team Up for Trees
From Circle of Trees

Rise Up for Trees is adapted from the activity How Many Are Standing? (p. 35 in Everyone Wins! by Josette and Sambhava Luvmour, New Society Publishers, 2007). Team Up for Trees is adapted from a cooperative camp game. Choose which game to use each time the group gathers. After the first workshop,…
Leader Resource 2: Guided Imagery Among the Trees
From Circle of Trees

Moving as quietly as you can, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and close your eyes. (pause) Take a deep breath. (pause) Notice how your body feels. Notice how your mind feels. Take a couple of long, slow breaths, in and out, in and out, and begin to let go and relax your body and mind.
Find Out More
From Circle of Trees

Two good UU environmental resources are the UU Ministry for Earth and the Green Sanctuary Program. The Rev. Daniel S. Brosier of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin, Illinois, offers a sermon titled Ordinary Miracles (May 4, 2003) in which he recounts an experience of saying “hello, trees”…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 1: Come Into the Circle

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