Resources for speakers and services
on nature reverence and Pantheism

 This is resource centre is for people aiming to give talks, sermons or presentations
on nature reverence, Natural/scientific Pantheism or on the World Pantheist Movement.
Back to UU Resources section
 

Sample sermons and services about pantheism/nature-reverence: Using Nature and the Universe as a Spiritual Path Paul Harrison [Conejo Valley Unitarian Fellowship, Thousand Oaks, CA]     Full service including sermon text and RealMedia recording,     hymns, readings and children's story. UU Humanists and Pagans; Can This Marriage be Saved? Yes! And the Children Will be Scientific Pantheists Richard Hervey [Unitarian Universalist Church, Corvalis, Oregon    includes Powerpoint presentation:    Potted history of Universe and Life for children Scientific/Natural Pantheism Laura Lyons [People's Church, Ludington, Michigan] Journey into pantheism Tony van der Mude [Hunterton UU Church, New Jersey]     including choice of UU hymns.   Speakers and performers of services The Great Story - services from Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd    A great experience if you can book these travelling "evangelists of evolution."    Video clips; parables, stardust rituals   Jim Scott, enviromental virtuoso composer, guitarist and singer     Jim frames inspiring UU services that can kickstart any Green Sanctuary campaign. You can also buy his infinitely wholesome and spiritual songs about nature as a books or CDs.   Readings and poems related to Nature         Earth prayers, Life Prayers, Peace Prayers                  Three wonderful Interfaith collections of inspiring readings for 365 days of the year Children's stories and activities Sharing Nature with Children - Joseph Cornell's classic four-book series on how to help children experience and explore nature. Cornell also has a Sharing Nature Foundation which sells all Cornell's books as well as games, videos and tapes. Chief Seattle's Speech The People who Hugged Trees Music, natural sounds and hymns      Echoes of Nature 1 - 5CD boxed set - rains, oceans, rivers, birds, frogs      Echoes of Nature 2 - 5CD boxed set - thunderstorms, waves, morning choruses           Many tracks on each CD - fantastic value for only $14.99 a set      Singing the living tradition - Unitarian Universalist songbook, with music      Singing the Journey - new companion UU songbook, multicultural hymns,                chants and songs for marking the seasons of our lives      Jim Scott: Nature and green songs books or CDs      Earth and Spirit Songbook  Over 100 songs of earth and peace by many songwriters, with music score for piano/voices.   Sources for visual material - slides, posters.      NASA Core: slide sets & DVDs  & CDRoms on all astronomical topics.      Posters of Nature, the Universe, Nature-focussed spirituality   Visual presentations (Powerpoint etc)      Potted history of Universe and Life for children by Richard Hervey   Typical audience questions and answers     Check the Pantheist FAQS and the WPM FAQS

Conejo Valley UU Fellowship Celebration of Nature and the Universe, at de Benneville Pines, San Gorgonio wilderness, California, Autumn 2004

General notes

        Remember, alas, that 90% of people's impressions of a talk are based on how you appear and how you deliver, rather than on what you say. So dress suitably, practice, and cultivate a relaxed and confident manner.

1. Know your audience and tailor your talk to them.
2. Practice beforehand, unless you're accustomed to public speaking.
3. Check the timing to make sure it doesn't run over.
4. Start strikingly. First impressions count.
5. Add personal experiences and feelings.
6. Print out our leaflets and place them handy where people can see them.
   Insert your own contact e-mail or phone.

    If you actually give a talk or presentation, please mail me the outline plus a list of the questions you got and any answers you gave that you think might help others (especially the clever ones:).

Contact us: info@pantheism.net