In March, in first Day School, we concluded our exploration of bible stories from the Old Testament. We read the story of Moses and the burning bush
, the story of the Exodus, and the story of Jacob’s ladder. We discussed how we could think of the image of Jacob’s ladder as yet another way of visualizing our connection to God. We have talked about how each person needs to find their own image, their own way of feeling, sensing their connection to the light within and their relationship to divine light.Over the past few months, we have been closing most of our First Day School classes by asking the children to sit in silence for several minutes, to practice listening, becoming more aware of the light within and how that light feels to each of them. After sitting, the children draw or write what they have experienced, what silent worship means to them. Often, they will choose to share what they have written or drawn with the adults when we go back into Meeting-For-Worship.
In the middle of March, Bob H organized a maple syrup event. We took the children to Emma G’s field. We tapped swamp maple trees and boiled the sap down to syrup. Then the children rode in Darrin M’s hay-wagon back to the Meetinghouse for a pancake breakfast.
The following Sunday, as we gathered on the rug, I asked the children: "So what does tapping trees and making maple syrup have to do with First Day School? What does it have to do with Meeting-For-Worship?"
We talked about how we could think of sap as the spirit of the tree. When that ordinary sap is distilled to its essence, it yields an extraordinary sweetness. In a similar way, our own sense of spirit lends sweetness and value to our lives.
We talked about how spirit lives inside each of us, and spirit lives also between us. When we are together, when we sit in silent worship, when we are running and playing together in a field, we can feel that spirit, that joy, connecting us.
We talked about how as we sit in silence, we can become more attuned to the light within, and also to how light gathers and arises out of our being together. I asked the children to draw a picture of their experience of the maple sugar morning. "Some where in the picture" I said, "draw a tree, and somewhere in the picture, draw yourself and the other children you were playing with. Draw how you felt spirit inside you and , at the same time, spirit connecting you to one another."
The beautiful thing was: each one of them got it. Each one of them found images to express the spirit of that morning in their own way.
Volunteers Needed The Inter-Church Council has a policy which requires that another person be present in the Council House while therapists are conducting counseling sessions. Volunteers are needed to be in the building Thursday evenings from 6-9 PM. This will ensure that counseling sessions will not be disturbed. Volunteers can look forward to 2 hours of peace and quiet in the lovely old council House, time to write, read or meditate. If you are interested call Monica R, Center Manager - 508.992.8010 |
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