Rules Review

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Wisdom From our Earth-Centered Traditions

Rules Review

Respect the Talking Stick-one person speaking at a time, no interruptions, comments, questions etc. during check-in and first round of sharing on topic

Make I statements whenever possible

Use Active Listening

Respect confidentiality of shared information

Avoid giving unsolicted advice

May ask clarifying questions during second round
Speaker may ask for advice which will be shared later

Share time so everyone who wishes to may speak

Anyone may pass at any time

Encourage holding silences

Our open chair

Group Expectations

attend regularly, six months
notify a member of the group if you must miss a session
arrive on time, close on time
be clear with each other about the quality of each member’s participation
participate in group decisions concerning format, shared meal, discussion topics, service activities
participate in service activities planned by the group

Introduction— I talked with David about the Newcomer’s introduction to the UUA Principles and Purposes and found out that the newest addition to the list of sources is:

Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

There is nothing in the Principles and Purposes that suggest the inherent importance of the planet earth in the Universe although both Christian and Jewish theological thought is based on that assumption. Instead we as UUs acknowledge that it is important to us as humans whose only planet so far is planet Earth to respect her interdependent webs of living and nonliving systems.

Check-in: Briefly let us know what you are bringing with you to today’s group.

Opening Words-
Every part of this earth is sacred to our people.

Every pine needle. Every sandy shore.

Every mist in the dark woods.

Every meadow and humming insect.

All are holy in the memory of our people.

My ancestors said to me, This we know:

The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.

The earth is our mother.

Whatever befalls the earth befalls all the sons and daughters of the earth.

This we know: All things are connected like the blood that unites us.

We did not weave the web of life,

We are merely a strand in it.

Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.

Preserve the land and the air and the rivers for your children’s children and love it as we have loved it.

Chief Seattle

Questions:

What aspects of earth-centered religious thought/practices do you embrace as part of your UU beliefs?
When Man’s needs conflict with those of the earth’s interconnected web of life, how should one decide what is most important?
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of Mother Earth?

Check-out:

Suggestions for service projects

Closing Words

We pledge allegiance to the earth on which I stand, and to the environment of which I am a part, one planet, with soil, water and air like one body, indivisible, with resources to be cherished and protected by all.

Business:

Next Meeting: Dec. 1, 5:45 p.m.

Location of next meeting:

Dinner Menu

Drinks

Vegetarian Main Dish

Grain

Other

Bread

Salad

Dessert

Concerns?

We pledge allegiance to the earth on which I stand, and to the environment of which I am a part, one planet, with soil, water and air like one body, indivisible, with resources to be cherished and protected by all.

We pledge allegiance to the earth on which I stand, and to the environment of which I am a part, one planet, with soil, water and air like one body, indivisible, with resources to be cherished and protected by all.