Earth Day 2005
All Souls' youth celebration of Earth Day began in 1992. Because of our
Unitarian Universalist 7th principle of "Respect for the interdependent web of all
existence," Nancy Renner Clear, All Souls' Director of Religious Education, had
planned a spring curriculum which addressed environmental issues. She found a
song that was written about protecting the earth called "Conviction of the Heart."
Beginning in January, the youth had their regular classes, then met together at
11:15 A.M. to practice the song. The plan was to sing for the congregation on
Earth Day Sunday, giving a message from the youth urging everyone to remember
to protect the earth.
the R.E. classrooms as their meeting place for planning the Earth Day Indiana
Festival. Nancy mentioned to the director of the festival what the children
were going to do at the church. The director and committee asked if they
could come on a Sunday rehearsal to hear the song. They came the following
Sunday and were so excited that they asked the youth to sing it as the opening
act of the festival. All Souls' youth and families agreed to participate.
about 40 degrees. But not only did most of the families and children of All Souls
attend, so did many of All Souls' older members in support of the youth.
Day Indiana. In 1995 Bruce Clear was asked to give the invocation for the festival
and has continued to do so each year since. Songs the children have performed
include "Conviction of the Heart," "Heal the World," "Someday," "Reach for the
Light," "Circle of Life," "What Will It Take," "Plant a Tree," "This Little Light," and
"We Are the World." Beginning in 2004, All Souls invited other UU churches to
participate. In 2005, both UUI and Lafayette brought youth to participate.
also perform on Earth Day Sunday during the Sunday morning service at 10:30
A.M. This has become a beloved tradition and important part of our church year.
Click here to see photos from the 2005 Earth Day Sunday performance at All Souls
Unitarian Church.
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