Seed 2011 Opening Words

From SolSeed

Seed 2011 Opening Words are modified from our Weekly Service Calls.

Not sure what to say at the beginning . . . could Brandon make some kind of statement like, "We're so glad you're here. Everyone here brings their own journey and their own story. The three of us wanted to share a story that is important to us --

[The lights are out and if possible shades drawn. The first slide is a black screen. Ben and Brandon stand with their backs to everyone, hands clasped behind them, heads bowed. Shelley stands in front of them, facing the group.]

Shelley: Once there was nothing. [Shelley then turns around to join the three with backs to group. A little time goes by before Ben speaks.]

Ben: [Turns to face the group. Draws out pauses.] Nothing ... Still ... Nothing

Brandon: [Turns to face the group.] And then ... <gasp> Something!!!! [Right when he says "something," Ben triggers the first slide. The next 5 lines are delivered with energy and rapidly, like popcorn popping. If the computer is quick, maybe we could have an "autoadvance" for these 5 quick words -- otherwise I think we should stay with one slide for all 5 words. Could we each do a single "motion" with our word? I'm not wedded to this but have some ideas below.]

Shelley: [Turns] Time, [maybe tapping wrist where watch would be]

Ben: Space, [maybe trace a large circle with arms]

Brandon: Matter, [maybe tap fist on palm]

All: Energy, [maybe "sugar hands"]

Ben: Gravity. [could drop something like a ball from one hand to the other]

Brandon: Galaxies coalesce ... in the celestial nursery, stars are born. And for every star, there is a story.

Shelley: Our story began with Sol, the sun, the fire that sparks life into being. [Shelley lights the chalice.]

Brandon: Next came the Earth, our home, both the shaper of life and the clay from which life makes itself. [He plants a seed in the soil.]

Ben: Then came the water, the sea where the first life swam, the sea that swims inside each of us. [He drinks from a glass, then pours some water on the seed, then places the half-full glass beside the soil.]

Shelley: Finally life made the air, turning sunlight into fuel, freely available to all breathing creatures. [All three take three deep breaths, maybe letting our arms go up and down a bit with each breath, and motioning for the group to join in. Shelley holds up 3 fingers, then 2, then 1 to mark how many breaths we've taken.]

Ben: Fire, Earth, Water, Air.

Brandon: Let the journey begin.