This first week of Chalica, we observe the first UU principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person.

If you are lighting candles at home to observe this season, here’s a chalice lighting that you might use from Florence Caplow:

We light this chalice today in honor of the Unitarian Universalist First Principle: To affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

We recognize that these are not just words to be spoken; instead, they call us out of our comfort into an ever-deepening commitment: a commitment we make to the rights of all whose inherent worth and dignity are denied, diminished, or destroyed by systems of oppression. And they call us into the practice of looking into our own hearts, with courage and honesty.

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If you are celebrating with little ones, you might revisit the classic Dr. Seuss story, Horton Hears a Who!

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If you are looking for something to meditate with about the inherent worthiness of others, this TED talk by Meg-gan Ann O’Reilley about our own worth and the philosophical impact that can have on our psyches is a powerful place to start:

Allan T. Georgia, MDiv, MTS, PhD