b'Pray the Psalms: The Psalms themselves are prayer, and many speak to the wonder of Gods creation. Identify an appropriate psalm and invite the children to pray it together. Use the same psalm for the entire Season of Creation so that children become familiar with the text. If possible, introduce a musical setting of the psalm and invite the children to sing the refrain. Some good possibilities include Psalms 8, 65, 96, 104, 147, and 148. Illustrate the story of creation: Lead the children in a prayerful reading of the first account of Creation (Genesis 1:12:4). Assign each child a day of Creation and ask them to draw a picture of what was created that day. Have them include a phrase of thanksgiving on their picture (For example: Thank you, God, for day and night.") PROVIDE LIFESTYLE REFLECTIONConversion begins with recognition. Before we can make changes in behaviors and habits that negatively impact the environment, we must first be aware of them. Empower the children to reflect on their own personal attitudes and actions with an eye toward making changes in various ways. Document personal habits: Invite the children to keep journals on personal habits such as trash production, water usage, or the use of plastics. Invite the group to identify a habit and use a tool, such as a chart or a carbon footprint calculator, to track individual behavior. Facilitate a conversation about their results and consider factors that impact their behaviors.Explore production: Have the group collectively identify one item that everyone uses frequently (such as a toothbrush) and have them research the item from the point of origin to consumption, naming the environmental impact for each step. Invite them to write a prayer about what they discover. Subscribe today! smp.org/inspire 19'