CHALICE LIGHTING WORDS
The Chalice is the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist Faith. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes the spirit of our faith and work. The flaming chalice combines a drinking vessel and a flame, and as a religious symbol, it has different meanings to different people.
Service Associates are encouraged to create their own (original) meaningful prose to introduce the lighting of the chalice. Ideally, the words might tie in with the subject of that day's sermon, but it doesn't have to. Begin with something like, "It is the custom in our church to begin the service with the lighting of the chalice flame. Today we light the chalice with these words," then create...
A workshop on Spiritual Writing was recently conducted by Karen West. Some of the contributed Chalice Lighting Words follow (feel free to steal in whole or in part):
May the lighting of this flame be a symbol of the ancient and timeless element of fire;
May it center and connect us with all life past, present, and in the future; and
May the flame remind us of the connection and interrelationship of all living things.
Beverly P.As we light this chalice candle, let us give thanks for the energy -- physical and spiritual -- which will help us to live the principles of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Charlotte L.
As we light this chalice candle, the symbol of our faith, let us try to empty our minds of idle chatter and focus on the reasons we are here in this church community. Charlotte L.
We light this chalice candle as the symbol of our faith and of our search for enlightenment.
Charlotte L.Please focus on this chalice candle: let its yellow flame represent a sun burning away the haze that prevents us from clearly seeing our path to truth and social justice. Charlotte L.
Not so very long ago, lighthouse beacons reached out across the distances bringing hop and safety to travelers. In a similar way, may the light from this simple chalice be a beam of hope and peace for those who traveled here today. May it guide us from troubled places toward the warmth of camaraderie, enlightenment, and human spirit. Rich R.
Timeless flame, may your glow burn off the haze of daily burdens. Be a beacon that separates us from the mundane and draws us to your center. Together we focus on the peace that we know in your presence, and in community. Karen W.
Here's some additional sources of chalice lighting words...
http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/main.html (searchable words of worship)
http://www.uua.org/re/faithworks/fall03/worshipb.html
http://www.icuu.net/resources/chalicelightings.html
http://huuweb.org/Sunday%20Services/chalice-lightings.txt
Wikipedia.org has a good write-up on the UU Chalice and some additional chalice lighting words...