Connecting with the EarthBy Martha Nabatian
- Theme and Description
- Sessions are based on Canada's geographical features: woodlands, prairies, oceans, lakes, rivers, and the Arctic. Helps participants develop a more spiritual relationship with the world around them.
- Goals for Participants
- To feel gratitude, awe, wonder, and respect for the land and nature's bounty;
To appreciate their spiritual connection with nature;
To develop an understanding of the wholeness and mystery of life;
To gain an awareness of the communion of living and non-living components of the earth community;
To understand and practice the sustaining use of natural resources.
- Age Range
- Four groups: primary, junior, youth, and adult. Some activities may be used with different age groups. Centering activities are designed to be used with all ages together. Includes a closing intergenerational worship service.
- Size of Group
- 6 to 15 in each age group
- Space Requirements
- A medium-sized room for each age group, and a larger space for the joint centering activity and closing intergenerational worship. Many activities are best done outdoors. Some sessions include cooking activities.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- 4 to 8, and an intergenerational service
Length: 1 to 1 1/2 hours - Leader Training
- A training session is recommended for all leaders to help them focus on the spiritual aspects of the curriculum, share resources and materials, and coordinate plans for the intergenerational service.
- Leader Preparation
- 1 to 3 hours per session
- Strengths
- Each session has a well-planned structure, including centering, setting the scene, contemplation, stories and activities, and commitment/celebration.
Offers many creative and engaging activities.
Contains a good bibliography of stories and resources.
Contains tapes of nature sounds and a song written for the curriculum..
Includes a catalog from the National Film Board of Canada, with listings of videos that celebrate the earth.
Has selected poetry and meditations for each geographical feature. - Limitations
- The geographical features represented are not inclusive of all climates.
Canadian materials may be difficult to obtain elsewhere.
Access to natural areas for some outdoor activities may be a problem. - Adaptability
- Age groupings are flexible, and activities may be adapted for use in different groups.
Units may be done as a whole or at different times.
Offers a rich source of materials on earth appreciation and awareness that may be used in different contexts. - Unitarian Universalist Values
- Affirms and promotes the UU Principle of respect for the interconnected web of all existence of which we are a part. The methodology and content affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations, and a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
Reviewed on November 10, 1999
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