[[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.]
<big>Shelley: ''Once there was nothing.''</big> [Shelley then turns around to join the three with backs to group. A little time goes by before Ben speaks.]
<big>Ben:</big> [Turns to face the group. Draws out pauses.] <big>''Nothing ... Still ... Nothing''</big>
<big>Brandon:</big> [Turns to face the group.] <big>''And then ...'' <gasp> ''Something!!!!''</big> [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.]
<big>Shelley:</big> [Turns] <big>''Time,''</big>
<big>Ben: ''Space,''</big>
<big>Brandon: ''Matter,''</big>
<big>All: ''Energy,''</big>
<big>Ben: ''Gravity.''</big>
<big>Brandon: ''Galaxies coalesce ... in the celestial nursery, stars are born. And for every star, there is a story.''</big>
<big>Shelley: ''Our story began with Sol, the sun, the fire that sparks life into being.''</big> [Shelley lights the chalice.]
<big>Brandon: ''Next came the Earth, our home, both the shaper of life and the clay from which life makes itself.''</big> [He plants a seed in the soil.]
<big>Ben: ''Then came the water, the sea where the first life swam, the sea that swims inside each of us.''</big> [He drinks from a glass, then pours some water on the seed, then places the half-full glass beside the soil.]
<big>Shelley: ''Finally life made the air, turning sunlight into fuel, freely available to all breathing creatures.</big> [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.]
<big>Ben: ''Fire, Earth, Water, Air.''</big>
<big>Brandon: ''Let the journey begin.''</big>