This month’s idea:
Light a Chalice!
While most UUs have become accustomed to lighting a chalice at the beginning of our Sunday worship services, taking the time to light a chalice at home can turn any event, big or small, into a sacred occasion.
Try lighting a chalice:
-At meal times
-While celebrating special milestones
-To begin a morning meditation
-When offering well wishes and prayers for loved ones
At a loss for words?
Not all chalice lighting occasions require special words; but for those that do, check out some of these great resources:
Singing the Living Tradition, published by the UUA
Sunday and Everyday, edited by Patricia Frevert
If you are looking for something a little more personalized, you can also invent your own words or ask each family member to contribute something from their day.
o What are you thankful for?
o What was your proudest moment today?
o How did you live your UU Principles today?
I don't have a chalice!
Not to worry! There are plenty of ways to bring a chalice into your home.
Online shopping makes this a breeze if you would like to purchase a beautiful chalice for your home:
OR
Turn this month's @Home into a fun activity and make your own chalice.
-try buying old cups and saucers from a second-hand store or a garage sale. With a little paint (or not), a little creativity (or not), and a very little bit of super glue, you will have your very own, one-of-a-kind chalice!
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| made by children at the UU church of Flint in Michigan |
-Check out your local craft store (or your garage) for some terracotta pots. Repeat the steps above and voilà!
Don't forget that chalices make a great gift (so think about making a few extras)!
Comment below, contribute your ideas and upload pictures of your home chalice on the UU@Home Facebook page!
We light the chalice that the UU Flint children made at meals and Desmond (age 5) leads us in reciting the children's covenant.
ReplyDeleteBob Brown, UU Church of Flint
we've been doing this for years and we even add a cake and some ice dream
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of a meal-time chalice lighting ritual. I know in our house it helps us put aside any baggage from the rest of the day and focus on just being together. It is great to hear of someone who has continued a ritual like this over a period of years!
ReplyDeleteAlso, UU Flint kids are the best! (no bias, of course!) I am sure that Desmond does a great job with the words:)