United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Scripture Text | Genesis 3:19
Three Wonderings
1
I wonder how you would see “the wilderness of life” showing up in the Church and world?
2
I wonder what the stories of Jesus’ wilderness wanderings might have to say to us at this particular moment?
3
I wonder how we experience this particular wilderness time in tension between solitude and desolation?
Caring for the Common Good Project
Make Space for Meaningful Reflection
Throughout this series, we will provide opportunities to explore challenging emotions in healing ways. By asking open-ended questions with no “correct” answers, ‘children learn to think deeply about the world around them. These conversations strengthen compassion, emotional awareness, and resiliency for everyone involved.
Here are a few ways you can create space for deeper reflection:
- Set the stage.
We tend to take emotional cues from our environment, so adding a few special touches, like a hot beverage or background music encourages free flowing reflection. - Leave enough time.
Reflection can be a challenge if you’re feeling rushed. Leave enough time to wonder together, gadget free. Don’t be afraid of silence or long pauses. - Invite movement.
Often, our minds wonder more freely if our bodies are busy. Here are some ways you can stay busy while reflecting together:- Assemble a puzzle.
- Color, craft, or doodle.
- Take a walk.
- Offer a variety of fidget toys.
Contemplative Movement
Outdoor Explore
What: Take a walk outside. Bring your glitter and ashes along (from the creative project).
Reflect/Ask:
- Consider the stars (even if you can’t see them). Wonder at the age and size of the multiverse compared with your age and size.
- Wonder about the fact that your body is made of the dust (or ‘ash’) of stars!!
- Notice how it feels to know that you are made up of stuff that has been around for billions of years – and will continue to be around for billions of years more![1]
- Use the glitter and ash mixture to draw a small cross on the back of one another’s hands or foreheads.
Share words like, “Remember that you are stardust: broken and blessed; fragile and eternal.”
Creative Project
Begin Again
Materials: small pieces of paper & writing utensils, matches or lighter, heat-resistant container, glitter (preferably eco friendly)
How to: Take a moment of silence to consider a thought, word, or act that was harmful to yourself or to others: something you wish you had done, or something you wish you had not done.
- Discuss creating a Safe Space.
- Write or draw a symbol about that act on a small piece of paper. Place everyone’s paper piece in the container.
- Burn them; keep the ashes in the container.
- Take a walk outside.