Play quiet instrumental music, or birdsong or similar, as a background to silent prayer. Ask people to bring to God situations of suffering, local or worldwide, that are on their hearts today. Invite them to then draw a simple shape of a tree on the card, as a reminder that God brings new life, a second chance, light into darkness. Ask them to write their name on the card too – this will reveal the lovely colours of the card in a way that is unique to each person. Invite them to see this as a symbol of how God knows and loves every one of us individually. We are all special and we are all invited to his feast.
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Pass it on

Jesus wanted the tree to have a chance for the coming year. Form groups and give each a large sheet of paper, and pens. Invite the groups to use smart phones for research, and to draw on the paper a flow chart or timeline of people who have invented or done something that still has an impact today.
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The fig tree

At the front, set up a large sheet of paper with the outline of a fig tree drawn on it. Give everyone a leaf-shaped sticky note or piece of paper – if the latter, place glue sticks near the tree outline – and a pen/pencil. Invite them to think about people and places they know who need love or care, or help or a second chance of some kind. Invite them to write or draw something on the leaf to represent these thoughts – they can leave it blank if they prefer – and to stick the leaf onto the tree as a sign of prayer.
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The chance to care John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ suggests that a world with no countries, religion or possessions would know peace. But there are other problems too! Form small groups, and invite each group to write new verses of ‘Imagine’, starting with ‘Imagine there’s no suffering’. What other problems will you include? It may be helpful to give out copies of the words of the original. Invite groups to share their new verses. W E
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Spiritual styles abbreviations
W Word E Emotion S Symbol A Action
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