--Plant them early in Lent, or even before Lent begins, and have the children bring them back in for Easter.

--Plant a wildflower garden on the church grounds. When the flowers bloom, work together to identify them. As you care for and cultivate the garden (weeding, caring for the soil, protecting the flowers from being trampled) there are many things you can discuss: 1) Talk about how people need the same kind of care and nourishment. What are things that we have to weed out of our lives that can harm us? What are the basic things we need for life that compare to the water and sunlight that flowers need? What does it mean to protect ourselves and other people from being trampled on? 2) Compare the annuals and perennials to our personal gifts: some plants don't bloom the first year, some only bloom one year, some take a longer time to develop. 3) Talk about how the seed has to transform in order to grow. The seed has to crack open to let the life inside begin to grow. How does this parallel our own life, the seeds that are planted in us, the gifts God has given each of us?

(Note: These discussions would also be appropriate to use while working with the seed paper in the above activities.)

--Plant a "millenium" garden, something that will last and that people of all ages in the congregation can care for over the years.

--Plan a worship service with planting and gardening as the theme.

--Visit people who are in nursing homes or are homebound. Plant seeds with them and build caring relationships.

(Note: What if the seeds don't grow?! If the seeds don't grow, or the plants don't thrive, use this as an opportunity to discuss what seeds, and all life, need in order to grow. All growing things: plants, animals and people, need appropriate nurturing. Did the seeds have enough water, too much water? Maybe the soil wasn't right. Did they have the right amount of sunlight? Was it too cold for them? Too hot? What do people have to have in order to grow and thrive? Water, food, light, shelter, love, education, opportunity, encouragement, money. If people do not have the right kind of care, then they will not be able to live, grow and thrive either.

9) For all ages: Have the children/youth draw, color, paint, sculpt or otherwise fashion an image or symbol of the kind of tree or garden that they would like to be for God and for other people. They could do this individually or make it a class activity, creating one garden, image, or collage that everyone contributes to.

10) For all ages: Share mission stories from the Leader's Guide that illustrate how Week of Compassion helps people.

11) Close with a prayer thanking God for the gifts of water, seeds, food, and other things that contribute to a healthy, full life. Ask God to help us develop our own gifts and be like watered gardens and streams that will help other people to grow and live a better life. The teacher may offer the prayer, or each class member can share a sentence prayer expressing thanks for God's gifts.