[Seed 2011](/Seed_2011) Opening Words are modified from our [Weekly Service Calls](/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.''