 The options below will be used during worship during the "Wiggle, Wander, and Wonder" portion of our time together. Zoom Options:1. Craft and Chat (interactive) Hang out with others in the Zoom room to discuss how air sustains life. While you talk about the suggested questions below you can keep your hands busy with one (or both!) of these crafty activities. Crafty option A: Make your own paper fan. Using any piece of paper you have handy, fold it back and forth, accordion-style, to make a simple paper fan. You might decorate it with simple drawings or doodles or write down some of the responses to the questions as you discuss the questions below with friends. Never made a fan like this? Here are some easy instructions. Crafty option B: If you have a printer at home you can print this week's coloring book. Fold it into quarters and color away while sharing conversation with others on Zoom. Discussion Questions for All:
2. Breath Prayer (solo, contemplative) Breath prayer is a practice that utilizes the rhythm of our breath for prayer. Choose a short sentence or mantra for your prayer today. As you breathe in, you silently pray the first part of your prayer. And as you breathe out, you silently pray the second part of your prayer. For example:
You might open a Bible and use a favorite Psalm or other passage of scripture as a starting place for your breath prayer. Or you can use one of these samples to spark your creativity:
You will want to either log out of Zoom or mute your speakers so you're not distracted by the other people talking in the Zoom room. Set a timer to return at the designated time. In-Person Options:1. "That Goes Where?" interactive game for all ages led by Patti Watson (Pioneer-Blachly Hall) We might not always think about it, but we use air all day, every day. The Earth is covered in air and has a sort of air-filled bubble around it called the atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth does many jobs, and one of the most important is that it helps keep our planet warm enough to live on. The process of keeping it warm is known as the greenhouse effect. Have you ever been in a greenhouse for plants before? What was it like? One thing you may have noticed is how warm it was. The greenhouse traps the sun’s rays and keeps everything inside it warm, which is the ideal climate for plants to grow. This is exactly how our atmosphere works for us. It traps the sun’s rays and keeps our planet at a temperature at which we can survive. Unfortunately, one issue our world is facing is that too many gasses are being released into our atmosphere, which is causing our planet to get too warm too quickly. Thankfully, there are many things we can do to help slow this down. Today, we’re going play a game and explore one of those things— composting—and how it can help improve the air quality on Earth. 2. Breath Prayer (Sanctuary) Breath prayer is a practice that utilizes the rhythm of our breath for prayer. Choose a short sentence or mantra for your prayer today. As you breathe in, you silently pray the first part of your prayer. And as you breathe out, you silently pray the second part of your prayer. For example:
You might open a Bible and use a favorite Psalm or other passage of scripture as a starting place for your breath prayer. Or you can use one of these samples to spark your creativity:
3. Quiet Meditation in the Sanctuary Each week we'll reserve the Sanctuary as a quiet place for contemplation, meditation, and prayer. Consider moving around the room to a different place - the chancel, balcony, and floor are all options! You may want to sit with your eyes closed or open. You're welcome to walk quietly, stretch, or lay down. You may choose to journal or draw.  The Board of Justice and Witness is delighted to join with co-sponsors from the wider community in bringing Fr. Shannon Kearns to Manhattan on September 24. We hope this will be a unique opportunity for education and dialogue with the wider community and hope that you will invite your friends. Get to know Fr. Shannon (from his website): "Shannon TL Kearns is a transgender man who believes in the transformative power of story. As an ordained priest, a playwright, a theologian, and a writer all of his work revolves around making meaning through story. Shannon’s first book “In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey With Scripture” is available now from Eerdman’s Books. Shannon co-founded QueerTheology.com with Brian G. Murphy. Since its start in 2013, this work has reached more than a million people all over the world through videos, articles, and online courses and community. Their Queer Theology podcast is the longest running LGBTQ+ Christian podcast." Schedule for Sunday, Sep. 24 10:45 a.m. Fr. Kearns will be our guest speaker in worship. Join us in-person, via Zoom, or catch the sermon recording later on social media. 3:00 p.m. Solo performance of "The Body's Rapture" at First Congregational In this piece Shannon shares his story about growing up in religious fundamentalism. This piece is a journey through evangelical pop culture telling stories of fear, first love, theatre, and what comes next. This piece uses personal photographs, home video, and a deeply engaging storytelling to paint a picture of trans identity and how we love one another better. Fr. Shannon will take questions and sign copies of his book, “In the Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture” after the performance. (Note: there is NOT an online option for the afternoon event.) Childcare will be provided by First Congregational childcare staff. Please help us share this event! Facebook event Image for social media Poster Performance of “The Body’s Rapture” is co-sponsored by ECM @ K-State The Peace Service & Witness Team of Manhattan Mennonite Church Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan  |
