Chalice Lighting
This chalice is a lighthouse, a beacon reaching across the vast spaces.
This flame beckons all travelers, come, enter, and be welcome.
Join us on our mutual quest.
Reading/Song
Hymn 402, From You I Receive, has only this one simple lyric:
From you I receive, to you I give, together we share, and from this we live.
Reflection
“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
“It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom. Without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail.”
“Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall and falling,
they’re given wings.”
— Rumi
Meditation
from Jeff Liebmann
Our chalice is a lighthouse, a beacon showing people a way to religious being, safe from the rocks and currents of despair and hopelessness. But, lighthouses often reside in solitary locations, far apart from the bustle of home and business. In our search for individual spiritual growth, we might find so much comfort in a newfound belief, that we isolate ourselves from others. We might feel our beliefs too fragile to subject them to the scrutiny of others.
Perhaps a better metaphor is a steeple, whose bell peels out a welcome to all searchers, wherever they come from and whatever questions they bring with them. For our congregations are about community building and reaching out a warm hand of friendship to the stranger.
Many truths span national boundaries and cultural distinctions. One such truth particularly relevant to our congregations is this. A joy shared is twice a joy, while a burden shared is half a burden. Let us share our joys and our burdens gladly.
Mindfulness and Action
On this third day of Chalica, we affirm and promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation. You’re invited to select one of the questions or suggestions below for conversation with others or personal reflection. Suggestions for activities with children are included. What gift could you offer a fellow Unitarian Universalist on their spiritual journey? How could you give yourself the gift of a new spiritual practice or deepen an existing one?
• Look through a UU hymnal or book of reflections. How does this exercise help you better appreciate the different points of view in our movement?
• Are there words of peace or forgiveness I can extend to a fellow Unitarian Universalist?
• What is one significant learning from your spiritual journey of this past year?
• What is one spiritual practice (e.g. meditation, journaling, mindful eating or walking, serving others) that you could try or deepen in the next month?