√ √Drawing materials, paper, and/or magazines, scissors, and glue for a collage
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Take a moment to centre yourselves and arrive together. If you have small children, you might specifically invite them to take five deep breaths.
Light a Candle
Opening Prayer
Spirit of Love, you are with us always. We ask for open hearts and open minds as we seek to live in a way that honours the earth and all her children. Amen.
Spirit of Love, you are with us always. We ask for open hearts and open minds as we seek to live in a way that honours the earth and all her children. Amen.
Song: God Bless Every Step
The beaver represents wisdom because it uses its natural gift wisely for survival. The beaver also alters its environment in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way for the benefit of his family. To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom. Use your inherent gifts wisely and live your life by them. Recognize your differences and those of others in a kind and respectful way. Continuously observe the life of all things around you. Listen with clarity and a sound mind. Respect your own limitations and those of all of your surroundings. Allow yourself to learn and live by your wisdom(The Seven Grandfather Teachings: Wisdom, Uniting Three Fires Against Violence).
Gallery Paintings
Take time to explore the art entitled “Wisdom” in the online exhibition. Sift through the artist reflections as the age and stage of any children present allows.
What do you notice about the artwork? What do you wonder about the artwork?
Bible Reflection
The Seven Sacred Teachings see beaver as the bearer of wisdom. In the Hebrew Bible we also have a representation of wisdom; it is a woman who cries out in the streets.
Proverbs 1:20-23
Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
It sounds as if wisdom sees some people who are using their gifts like beaver – having a positive impact on their ecosystem, their family, and themselves. She says that other people she sees “hate knowledge” and end up missing out on wisdom. Beaver reminds us that “[t]o cherish knowledge is to know wisdom.” Wisdom promises to pour her spirit upon those who turn towards her so that people can understand what she is saying and begin to live in a different way.
During a baptism, one of the things we ask for is that the “spirit of wisdom” be “poured out” on the person being baptized. Can we think about living with wisdom in ways that positively impact ourselves, our human community, and all creation as being about living in God’s way?
Reflection Questions
If you imagine a human or a non-human creature who represents or lives with wisdom, what comes to mind?
Art Activity
Take some time to draw what wisdom looks like to you or make a collage of pictures representing wisdom. Place these pictures in a prominent place for this week.
During a baptism, one of the things we ask for is that the “spirit of wisdom” be “poured out” on the person being baptized. Can we think about living with wisdom in ways that positively impact ourselves, our human community, and all creation as being about living in God’s way?
Reflection Questions
If you imagine a human or a non-human creature who represents or lives with wisdom, what comes to mind?
Art Activity
Take some time to draw what wisdom looks like to you or make a collage of pictures representing wisdom. Place these pictures in a prominent place for this week.
Song:
Where Does Wisdom Come From?
Try singing other verses: “The awe of creation …” “The awe of life together…”
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Explore another page of the Home Engagement Resource rituals.
Simply click on the word/teaching you want to pursue.
Where Does Wisdom Come From?
Try singing other verses: “The awe of creation …” “The awe of life together…”
Closing Prayer
May we journey with wisdom until we meet again. Amen.
May we journey with wisdom until we meet again. Amen.
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Explore another page of the Home Engagement Resource rituals.
Simply click on the word/teaching you want to pursue.