November 20, 2009








Gather in the Garden



Objective:
To show, through an exploration of Genesis 1-2:4, that God is the source of all life and that we celebrate God's gifts of creation through prayer and the practice of wise stewardship of the earth.

Faith Response:
Participants will be able to name specific ways they can act as stewards of the gifts of creation through prayer and practice. (First and fourth tasks of catechesis, GDC 85).

Source Material:
We Believe Parish Edition:
  • Grade K, Unit 1: "God Gives Us Many Gifts"
  • Grade 1, Chapter 26: "We Care for the Gifts of Creation"
  • Grade 6, Chapter 2: "Creation"
Format:
A full multigenerational event: 60-90 minutes in length, with the optional inclusion of a meal

Gather In the Garden



(go to printable file)

Session Steps Presentation Materials
Meal (optional)











General Preparation






























Gathering Activities and Materials
  • Decide on the elements of a meal to be shared prior to or after the session
  • Recruit volunteers to form a meal planning team
  • Issue invitations to households to contribute salad ingredients and/or to bring other food items
  • Set up large room with tables to seat eight-ten people (two-three households per table)
  • Place large creation symbols on the tables (one symbol per table), along with "Creating an Ideal Garden" and opening prayer service sheets
  • Place markers and pens on the tables.



  • Set up prayer table







  • Fill flower pots with seed packets and closing prayer cards
  • Assemble "prop boxes" (optional)


  • Affix "Caring for God's Creation" materials to wall or bulletin board
  • Determine how and when to use the evaluation forms and children's activity sheets.
  • Determine whether to take pictures for later use on web sites.

  • Give households one of six small creation symbols as they enter
  • Recruit two volunteers for the opening prayer service procession
We Gather
  • Opening Activity




  • Session overview




  • In Praise of God's Creation
  • Invite households to complete handout #4 together
  • Invite large group to share their responses
  • Share overview of session
  • Add announcements
  • Greeting by the pastor (optional)
  • Sing the opening song
  • Lead the group in prayer responses
  • Sing "I Know You Are God"

We Believe
  • The Story of Creation

  • Introduce the biblical stories of creation
  • Explain the process for acting out the days of creation
  • Invite the groups to make use of the prop boxes (optional)
  • Move groups into spaces around the perimeter of the room
  • Allow time for groups to prepare
  • Reconvene and begin the play
  • Read "Day Six" of creation
  • Engage the group in discussion
  • Share points about God as Creator
  • Invite the group to take a break
  • Place items on the tables for the next activity



We Respond
  • The World Is God's Gifts to Us






  • Wrap-up









  • Closing prayer

  • Review aspects of being good stewards of the earth
  • Explain the "Garden of Caring" activity
  • Assist households in placing flower petals in the "garden of caring"
  • Lead the group in an evaluation of the session
  • Distribute handout #10
  • Explain follow-up activities planned for the parish
  • Distribute copies of the Belizean Potato salad recipe (optional)
  • Review the characteristics of a garden as a place to appreciate God's gifts of creation
  • Invite the group to sit quietly for a few minutes
  • Lead the group in the closing prayer
  • Distribute prayer cards
  • Sing closing song






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