This second week of Chalica, we observe the second UU principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

If you are lighting candles at home to observe this season, here’s a chalice lighting that you might use from Bear W. Qolezcua:

As we light the chalice may our souls become its hearth.
We join our hearts to the one great flame of bright compassion,
Beloved Community, and fervent justice.
May we become lanterns to the world,
lighting the way for all.

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If you are celebrating with little ones, this wonderful story about enacting kindness in our lives with one another by Alicia Ortega, called Kindness is my Superpower

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Meditations focusing on empathy and kindness have a good track record of inviting people to see their relationships with one another in new and meaningful ways. A good article exploring the impact of this kind of mindfulness was written by David DeSteno for The Atlantic. Some examples of this kind of meditation can be found here, with resources for some meditations that you can practice at home as you explore our values of justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

Allan T. Georgia, MDiv, MTS, PhD