Tapestry of Faith: Circle of Trees: A Multigenerational Program about Nourishing Deep Connections with Nature

Introduction

Part of Circle of Trees

It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees. — Wangari Maathai, Nobel Prize winner and founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya

Plan a field trip to a nearby natural area or park that has woods or numerous trees and some type of trail through a tree-covered area. Once again, this workshop is a time to slow down and connect deeply with trees and nature. Light rain the day of the workshop doesn't have to mean cancellation; you can wear raincoats and boots and forge ahead. But if the weather seems too wild to be outside, you can choose to reschedule for another day.

Goals

This workshop will:

  • Celebrate the completion of the Circle of Trees program
  • Honor the relationships developed over the program, among participants and with trees and the web of life
  • Reinforce the concept of interdependence as expressed in the seventh Unitarian Universalist Principle, "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part"
  • Affirm that stewardship of the earth is an explicit act of faith.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

  • Directly engage with trees and nature in a variety of ways
  • Gain inspiration and a sense of empowerment from the story of Wangari Maathai
  • Build on their understanding of and respect for trees through multiple modes of learning, including movement, meditation, and song
  • Experience multigenerational learning.