Week Three: Leader Toolkit

Theme: Practice Paying Attention — Wonder

Feeling a part of something larger than ourselves — from being upended by the vastness of the night sky or to a connection to God — is magical. It is the essence of wonder. And it helps us feel more satisfied, less self-involved, more grateful, and more likely to help others. Wonder brings joy. Here are some ways to make the most of our children’s natural sense of wonder, while also rediscovering it yourself.

Scripture Text | Psalm 138

Three Wonderings

1

What is unknown right now?

2

What moments of awe or wonder have I experienced?

3

What does it feel like to trust God?

Children’s Picture Books

When God Was A Little Girl

by David R. Weiss

Earthdance

by Joanne Ryder

If: A Mindbending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers

by David Smith

Philosophy for Kids: 40 Fun Questions

by David White

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

by Oliver Jeffers

Just Because

by Mac Barnett

Spiritual Practice

Join Rev. Emily Meyer, Director of The Ministry Lab, as she invites you to wonder and reflect in an audio recording.

Transcript available here.

Creative Project

Shadows Play

observational, creative, 3+

Materials: Paper, drawing materials OR chalk for outdoor sidewalk drawings

How To: Keep an eye out for interesting shadows, inside or outside.

“Play” with them by outlining what you see on paper or with chalk on the sidewalk

Time it takes: 5 min+

Game

Imagining with Images

contemplative, playful, ages 5+

Materials: Select your own images from a book, from the internet, or from old photos. Or, use our selection of 5 images.

How To: Using the prompts (below), take your time to sink into each image and imagine various perspectives. Wonder about what is happening, what could happen or what did happen!

  • Who, and what, do you see in this picture?
  • What would it be like to be the _______ in this picture? What would you see/do/hear/smell/taste and think about?
  • If your eyes could zoom in closer, what would you look at up close?
  • If you could pan out, what else is happening?

Time it takes: 15 minutes

Caring for the Common Good Project

Create an “I Wonder” Wall

When we weave compassionate conversations, big ideas, and a habit of reflection into our everyday lives, we encourage ongoing inquisitiveness. An “I Wonder Wall” helps you create a visual and 3-dimensional space (and reminder) to engage in these practices on a regular basis.

Materials:

How To: Print the pdf or re-write the questions on your own piece of paper. Decorate or design as you see fit, creating a post to put up in a shared space (e.g. family dining room). Next, write down some of your “I Wonder’s” and attach them to your “I Wonder” poster. Keep paper and pens nearby, so anyone can add an “I Wonder” question whenever they feel moved. At mealtime, pop into and out of the questions and process in a relaxed way, sometimes looking for factual answers, sometimes exploring them without a need for research. Enjoy the process of exploration!

Podcasts

The Science of Happiness episode, Can You Find Wonder in the Ordinary?: “When was the last time you felt connected to something bigger than yourself? Award-winning cellist Yumi Kendall looks, and listens, for moments of awe.

Wow in the World episode, What in the Wow?! The Science of Awe: “Why in the world has Mindy has turned her old ice cream truck into a mini museum of Wow on Wheels? And how in the world will this “rolling thunder of science and wonder” inspire a sense of AWE in the neighborhood? It’s the Who, What, When, Where, Why, How, and Wow in the world of Awe and Wonder!”

The Moth Radio Hour episode, I See You. “In this hour, stories about clarity and perspective. Seeing one another, feeling seen, and seeing oneself with the veil lifted.”

© Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ | 2021