We light our chalice for the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
CHALICA is an unofficial holiday originally conceived by Daylene Marshall of Vancouver, BC as a way to celebrate and put into intentional practice the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist tradition - one a night, for seven nights. The celebration begins on the first Monday of December, and is marked by the lighting of a chalice each day (or evening). Gifts that reflect the particular day's Principle may be given, but the focus tends to be more on mindfulness and action.
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and
promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Today is the first day of Chalica and for,
Monday: We light our chalice for the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Give gift(s) to honor those you do not understand / agree with / like.
Examples:
- a thank-you card celebrating differences
- words of forgiveness / apology
- a peace offering such as inviting someone to diner
- help someone in need
There have been some really neat songs written for this holiday,
I will add a new one each day!
Book to read, What If Nobody Forgave and Other Stories,
Please ck. out these blogs and sites,
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/UU.Chalica?v=info
http://chalica.blogspot.com/
http://www.uua.org/index.shtml
Make Your Own Chalice
Some are simple, some are silly, but either way you end up with a beautiful chalice of your own!
"Stained Glass" Chalice
Supplies: Plastic champagne glass (chalice shaped), colored tissue paper, Elmer's Glue, paint brushes
Tear or cut the tissue paper into smaller pieces and lay them out on a table. "Paint" glue onto the plastic champagne glass. Then, put pieces of tissue paper on the glue. Reapply glue on top of the pieces of tissue paper to overlap pieces. Use a battery-operated tealight in this chalice.
Silver Chalice
Supplies: Plastic champagne glass, aluminum foil
Wrap the champagne glass with aluminum foil. Use a battery-operated tealight in this chalice.
Clay Chalice
Supplies: Model Magic clay (comes in white and various colors)
Mold the clay into the shape of a chalice. Use a battery-operated tealight to "size" the chalice, to ensure that it fits inside the finished product. The clay dries in 12-24 hours.
Flower Pot Chalice
Supplies: Small terra cotta flower pot and flower pot base, glue, paint, paintbrush
Turn the flower pot upside down and balance the base on top of it. Glue the two pieces together if you'd like, or keep them separate so that it's more portable! Personalize your chalice by painting and decorating it as you wish, to represent your family's UU identity.
Kitchen Cupboard Chalice
Supplies: cup, bowl
Turn the cup upside down, and place the bowl (right side up) on top of it. Then place the candle in the bowl. Voila!
Camping Gear Chalice
Supplies: flashlight, big cup, paper plate
Place the flashlight, light shining up, into a big cup. Then cut a circle in the middle of a paper plate just big enough to fit around the outside of the cup.
Gigantic Chalice
If you like to do things large scale, you can create a chalice out of a bird bath! Everyone can contribute by painting or drawing something meaningful on it.
Lego Chalice
If New York City toy store F.A.O. Schwartz can make a 7-foot tall Empire State Building out of Legos, why not make a chalice?! You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you want.
However you make your family chalice,
have fun while doing it!
How would you celebrate this priencipal in your life?
