sing to the power class pages
We began the Sing to the Power curriculum in January 2014. The Teaching Team has chosen a selection of class sessions to fit the Sundays available through Memorial Day.
Lesson 16: The Power to make change
Session 13: The Power of water
Can we be like drops of water
Falling on the stone,
Splashing, breaking, dispersing in air
Weaker than the stone by far, but be aware
That as time goes by the rock will wear away. — Holly Near, singer/songwriter and activist
The power of water is the power of flexibility, creativity, and persistence. Water finds a way through the tiniest available channel. Water creates change over time. Participants learn how the force of water carved the massive Grand Canyon, over millions of years. A game, Rocks vs. Water, demonstrates water's ability to move past obstacles. Participants explore the real-world power of flexibility and creativity by working on scenarios in which two groups have opposing goals. In the Human Knots game, participants physically experience the water power of working together to explore options and find solutions.
Falling on the stone,
Splashing, breaking, dispersing in air
Weaker than the stone by far, but be aware
That as time goes by the rock will wear away. — Holly Near, singer/songwriter and activist
The power of water is the power of flexibility, creativity, and persistence. Water finds a way through the tiniest available channel. Water creates change over time. Participants learn how the force of water carved the massive Grand Canyon, over millions of years. A game, Rocks vs. Water, demonstrates water's ability to move past obstacles. Participants explore the real-world power of flexibility and creativity by working on scenarios in which two groups have opposing goals. In the Human Knots game, participants physically experience the water power of working together to explore options and find solutions.
session 11: the power of action
Have a bias toward action—let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away. — Indira Gandhi
The power of fire is the power of action. When we work from fire power, we move forward to do what we can, even if we cannot see a way to fix the whole problem at once. The children learn about Bill McKibben and 350.org, a worldwide organization fighting climate change. Participants think creatively about power sources that do not contribute to climate change and consider how they might change their own habits and those of their friends to slow the climate change which threatens the world's ecosystems. |
session 9: the power to shine
It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. — Frederick Douglass
The power of fire is the power of shining light and passionate action. Participants learn to activate their fire power to express their feelings and beliefs and make a difference. They hear a true story of two boys who found a creative way to stand up to bullies at their school.
The power of fire is the power of shining light and passionate action. Participants learn to activate their fire power to express their feelings and beliefs and make a difference. They hear a true story of two boys who found a creative way to stand up to bullies at their school.
Session 6: the power of presence
We convince by our presence. — Walt Whitman
The power of air is the power of openness, presence, and silent witness. Participants hear the story of a Unitarian Universalist who met public hatred by organizing a group to stand witness wearing giant angel wings that blocked the view of offensive signs. Although we tend to think of expressing power in terms of "doing"—pushing and acting—sometimes we express power most effectively by simply being present and bearing witness. |
Session 5: The Power of Stillness
In stillness the world is restored. — Lao Tzu
The power of air is the power of stillness, of listening and openness and breathing. The story for this session brings together Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond with Elijah of Hebrew scripture finding God in the "still, small, voice." Participants experience the power of stillness through meditation, honor a spiritual tradition of air by creating prayer flags, and add air symbols to the Circle of Elements mural.
The power of air is the power of stillness, of listening and openness and breathing. The story for this session brings together Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond with Elijah of Hebrew scripture finding God in the "still, small, voice." Participants experience the power of stillness through meditation, honor a spiritual tradition of air by creating prayer flags, and add air symbols to the Circle of Elements mural.
Session 4: The Power of Place
The power of the earth is the power of place. Children discover how connection to one's location allows reaching out to others in the particularity of their location. In the story of a connection between a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Oakland, California (pictured below) and a Unitarian church in Ok'land, Transylvania (pictured right) participants see effective justice work based on all parties honoring the unique perspectives, gifts, and needs that arise in a particular location. Click on Harvesting Hope below to read the story for Lesson 4.
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session 3: the power of growth
The power of the earth is the power to bring forth new life and nurture growth. In an individual, growth power can foster change in oneself and in the wider world. The story of Michael Covington, who created a thriving community garden in his economically depressed Detroit neighborhood, illustrates the link between earth power, personal growth, and the growth of community. Participants consider the sources of their food and acknowledge how easy it is to become disconnected from the earth as the source of our sustenance.
Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh
session 2: the power of roots
All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted. — St. Theresa of Avila
The power of the earth is the power of roots—the power that comes from a sense of history and connection to our origins. Participants learn that we are grounded in all that has shaped our lives, from our own memories back through the experiences of our ancestors, and including the features of the place where we live—its geography, ecology, and history. |
session 1: the power of earth
There are many Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime (Creation) Stories. The story in Session 1 is based on one of the many Dreamtime stories that exist.
Go to You Tube and search
Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime to find more examples like the one below |