Spiritual teaching of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Reading: Part VI, Chapters 11 and 12 (pp. 185-212)
1. For Forrest Church, a white-water rafting trip in the Idaho wilderness was the experience that awakened him to the sacred in nature. What experience of your own called you to "celebrate the sacred circle of life" and to "live in harmony with the rhythms of nature"?
By yourself: Describe such an experience in your notebook. In what way has this experience changed or enriched your religious beliefs?
With a group: Ask how many have had an experience similar to the one Church describes. If only a few raise their hands, ask them to describe their experiences for the group. If many hands go up, suggest that they share their experiences in pairs or threesomes.
2. Does the celebration of the changing seasons or other Earth-based observance play a part in your life or the life of your congregation?
By yourself: Think of ways in which you could introduce a deeper appreciation of nature into your life. Make a list in your notebook, or design a nature celebration for yourself alone or with others.
With a group: Discuss participants' personal reactions to the presence or absence of nature celebrations in your congregation. Suggest the possibility of creating a Sunday service or program on the theme of this sixth source of Unitarian Universalist faith. If some would like to do this, encourage them to find a time to work together.
3. When John Buehrens asked his grandmother why she went to church, she answered that it helped to fill her soul with hope and love. When Forrest Church asked Margot Adler why she chose Unitarian Universalism, she answered that it was "because I need to live in balance" between earth-centered spirituality and being "a worldly, down-to-earth person in a complicated world." Which answer resonates most strongly with you?
By yourself: Do you believe that an earth-centered spirituality can fill one's soul with hope and love? Why or why not? Use your notebook to explore these questions.
With a group: Ask for a show of hands in sympathy with each of the responses above, Buehrens's grandmother or Margot Adler. Form groups of those resonating more with one or the other. Ask each group to discuss how the two responses can be seen as overlapping. In other words, can an earth-centered spirituality fill one's soul with hope and love? After a few minutes, ask each group to report on the outcome of its discussion.
4. Our seventh principle, corresponding to this sixth source, calls for "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." How can we as Unitarian Universalists actively practice this respect?
By yourself: In your notebook, list the ways in which you now practice "respect for the interdependent web." Are there other things you might do to carry your practice further? List these ideas as well, and plan ways in which you can begin to live them out.
With a group: Ask how many in the group describe themselves as active environmentalists. What practical things do they do as a result? Are there ways that the congregation as a whole might practice "respect for the interdependent web"? After discussing these questions, suggest that those who are interested bring their ideas for better environmental practices to the attention of congregation leaders.
5. Read Handout 6, which suggests a variety of activities for further exploration and growth.
By yourself: Decide on your plan of action and describe it in your notebook.
With a group: Discuss the actions listed in Handout 6 and any suggested by the group. Decide on a group plan if appropriate. Participants can also decide on individual plans of action and record them in their notebooks.
6. Closing (with a group): Invite individuals who have made commitments for further exploration to share them with the group. Close with a reading or other shared ritual or celebration you have planned.
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