Chalica 2025 Week 6: Interdependence

February 8, 2025 • Jenni Papp

This sixth week of Chalica we are honoring the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We commit to creating and nurturing sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality, and justice. And we recognize the importance of repairing harm and damaged relationships.

Chalice Lighting

We ignite this elemental flame, core of our earth and of our very being.

We call upon the foundation of molten rock.

We call upon the electricity of lightning.

We call upon the light of celestial stars.

Fire within, transform us with your power.

Song

Hymn 298, Wake, Now, My Senses, closes with the following lyric:

Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear;

Brighten my pathway with radiance here;

Mingle my calling will all who will share;

Work toward a planet transformed by our care.

Message

from Jeff Liebmann

Primitive humans understood and respected the power of the natural world. While humankind takes well-deserved pride in its modern engines and harvesting of resources, we would do equally well to hone our humility, remembering that we are insignificant creatures next to the might of a sun. The temptation to succumb to the short-term benefits of our modern way of life is not sustainable. We know this well, and yet we continue to avail ourselves of our world’s bounty with little care for its maintenance. As Unitarian Universalists, we must fight for the rights of our planet with no less diligence that we do for our own freedom and liberty. As congregants, we are stewards of our houses of worship; as citizens, we are stewards of our nation; and as human beings, we are stewards of our home, the earth.