Celestial Lands The Religious Crossroads of Politics, Power, and Theology

Category Archives: Chalice Lightings

Fire and water, ancient opposites

Fire and water, ancient opposites Sun and ocean, the cradle of life Dancing flame and dancing river— We invoke them together today As we kindle our chalice flame. — Laura Horton-Ludwig

This church is dedicated to the proposition

LDR: This church is dedicated to the proposition that beneath all our diversity, Cong: Behind all our differences, LDR: There is a unity which makes us one and binds us forever together Cong: In spite of time, and death and the space between the stars.” — David Baumbaugh

All we ask is light enough for the path ahead

Leader: All we ask is light enough for the path ahead. Congregation: Light enough for the task at hand. Leader: We give in return our gratitude for life and all its gifts. All: We warm ourselves by the fire of friendship and our common commitment to the common good. — Read more →

We are part of the great circle of humanity

Leader: We are part of the great circle of humanity gathered around the fire, the hearth, the altar. All: We gather anew this day to celebrate our common heritage and to recall in gratitude all that has given us birth. –Joy Atkinson, adapted

In the mystery of life about us there is light

In the mystery of life about us there is light. It gives us a place to be, to grow, to rejoice together. It opens the pathways to love. In this place of friendship there is freedom. Let the light we kindle go before us, Strong in hope, wide in good Read more →

In this small flame dwell

In this small flame dwell: the beacon light of lanterns guiding travelers home; the warmth of hearth fires tended through the generations; the transforming energy of furnaces and the power and life of our sun. May these blessings — warmth and light and life-giving energy — be kindled in each Read more →

This flame glows as light glows in the darkness

This flame glows as light glows in the darkness; This flame burns as fire burns all that is dross; This flame dances as growing things dance upon the green earth; This flame flickers as life flickers for a precious while in each of us; This flame is warm as the Read more →

Out of love for the human community

Out of love for the human community we light this flame. Its light is a symbol of the triumph of truth over superstition and fear. It is for learning and understanding. We light it with hope to make this a better world. — Hammond Unitarian Church

To face the world’s darkness

To face the world’s darkness — a chalice of light. To face the world’s coldness — a chalice of warmth. To face the world’s terrors — a chalice of courage. To face the world’s turmoil — a chalice of peace. May its glow fill our spirits, our hearts, and our Read more →

We gather around this flame that symbolizes

We gather around this flame that symbolizes: the truth we know and the truth we seek, the community we share and the community we aspire to, the learning that enables us and the mystery that encompasses. Here we speak the languages of memory and hope. Here we are welcomed, our Read more →

We light this chalice as a symbol of the creativity

We light this chalice as a symbol of the creativity of our liberal faith: The creativity to explore new avenues of religious insight; The creativity to develop a caring community; The creativity to envision a world of peace and freedom. — Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harrisonburg Virginia

We light this chalice to remind ourselves of that flame

We light this chalice to remind ourselves of that flame which burns in each of our hearts; Remembering that when flame meets flame, match meets candle, the two become one, belonging to each other. Many flames join together to form the warmth of community, of congregation, of city, of nation. Read more →

We gather this hour as people of faith

We gather this hour as people of faith, with joys and sorrows, gifts and needs. We light this beacon of hope, sign of our quest for truth and meaning, in celebration of the life we share together. — Rev. Christine Robinson

In the mystery of life about us there is light

In the mystery of life about us there is light. It gives us a place to be, to grow, to rejoice together. It opens the pathways to love. In this place of friendship there is freedom. Let the light we kindle go before us, Strong in hope, wide in good Read more →

Blessed is the fire that burns deep in the soul

Blessed is the fire that burns deep in the soul. It is the flame of the human spirit touched into being by the mystery of life. It is the fire of reason; the fire of compassion; the fire of community; the fire of justice; the fire of faith. It is Read more →

Deep calls unto deep

Deep calls unto deep, joy calls unto joy, light calls unto light. Let the kindling of this flame rekindle in us the inner light of love, of peace, of hope. And “as one flame lights another, nor grows the less,” we pledge ourselves to be bearers of the light, wherever Read more →

There is a core of light

There is a core of light that underlies the little darknesses of our days. This bright flame reminds us of the potential of our lives, and the dawning potential of humanity. We gather in community to remember this core of light, and to count it sacred: within each of us, Read more →

May the flame here lit Be to us a symbol of the torch

May the flame here lit Be to us a symbol of the torch That is passed from hand to hand, and life to life – Of caring and concern and the passion of involvement Which have marked the men and women of our liberal faith For many generations. — Rev. Read more →

Flaming chalice, burning bright

Flaming chalice, burning bright, Now you share with us your light. May we always learn to share With all people everywhere. –Eva M. Ceskava, Adapted

We are not alone

We are not alone. We are this flame, ancient as the stars, new as the vulnerable spark. We are not alone. We are this chalice, rimmed by the spiral dance of searching. We are not alone. We are the light soaring, the shadow deepening, the dance between them. We are Read more →

In the flame from this chalice We find the light of faith

In the flame from this chalice We find the light of faith, The glow of hope, And the warmth of service. May we ever grow in faith, hope, and service As we kindle our own lights from its spark. — Rev. Wayne Arnason

We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism

We light this chalice to celebrate Unitarian Universalism. We are the church of the open mind, the loving hearts, and the helping hands. We care for the earth, and work for peace and justice in our time. — Author Unknown (Wikipedia)

In the light of truth and in the warmth of love

“In the light of truth and in the warmth of love we gather to seek, to sustain, and to share.” — from the First Unitarian Church of Orlando in Orlando, Florida. (Wikipedia)

O creative flame, Quicken our spirits when we fear

O creative flame, Quicken our spirits when we fear, and warm us where pain resides, as we celebrate the new, and the eternal, Chalice of our faith, Challenging, and healing. –from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Concord, Massachusetts. (Wikipedia)

We light this chalice to remind ourselves to treat all people kindly

We light this chalice to remind ourselves to treat all people kindly because they are our brothers and sisters to take good care of the earth, because it is our home and to try to live lives, filled with goodness and love because that is how we will become, the Read more →

We light our flaming chalice To illuminate the world we seek

We light our flaming chalice To illuminate the world we seek. In the search for truth, may we be just; In the search for justice, may we be loving; And, in loving, may we find peace. — Rev. Elizabeth M. McMaster

May this flame, symbol of transformation since time began

May this flame, symbol of transformation since time began, fire our curiosity, strengthen our wills, and sustain our courage as we seek what is good within and around us. — Rev. Bets Weinecke

The first spoken words in the Hebrew Bible

The first spoken words in the Hebrew Bible are “Let there be light.” Let there be light today as we once again gather in community. Let us feel the light within each of us burn brighter. Let us feel the light of each others’ lives surround us. Let us feel Read more →

We light our chalice flame to start our worship period

We light our chalice flame to start our worship period. The light of the flame represents our unending search for truth; the heat of the flame represents the warmth of love; the beauty of the lighted chalice represents our religious quest to bring the best into our lives and our Read more →

We light the Chalice as a symbol of our unity

We light the Chalice as a symbol of our unity, of our common search for truth and meaning, of our wish to stay and struggle for those things that we have chosen to share with love and responsibility. We also spread these rose petals as a symbol of our spiritual Read more →

Hope, respect and love – three important treasures of spiritual life

Hope, respect and love – three important treasures of spiritual life. May they always be in our hearts, may we always give them generously. The light of this flame is a symbol of them too, as hope, respect and love are the cornerstones of our free spiritual path. —Petr Samojsky Read more →

When we light the chalice, may the world be filled with God’s holiness

Today, when we light the chalice, may the world be filled with God’s holiness. May we feel His presence, His love, His compassion, His bounteous blessings. May we always be ready to be grateful to Him, to glorify Him and to pray to Him, with holy hearts and with thirst Read more →

We come to this solemn assembly bringing along the flame

We come to this solemn assembly bringing along the flame of fire within us. May our flames blend together in the lighting of this chalice, the symbol of our commitment to bring warmth to our fellows through service to all. We pray that we may not be burned out, but Read more →

We are the generation that stands between the fires

We are the generation that stands between the fires. Behind us the flame and smoke that rose from Auschwitz and from Hiroshima, Before us the nightmare of a Flood of Fire, The flame and smoke that consume all earth. It is our task to make from fire not an all Read more →

We light this chalice To honour those brave souls

We light this chalice To honour those brave souls Who spoke their truth, Who questioned authority, Who defied orthodoxy. Their courage speaks to us through this chalice And encourages us all To think strongly To love fully In our shared quest for truth, beauty and meaning. —Derek McCullough from the Read more →

Life is an art, it requires practice to achieve greatness

Life is an art, it requires practice to achieve greatness, but greatness is always waiting, ready to be attained. May the light of this chalice remind us of the possibility for everyone to achieve truth and goodness in our lives, if we only seek it. —Beth Bullmer from the ICUU Read more →

We light this chalice to bring light and warmth

We light this chalice to bring light and warmth; The Light and warmth that shows us the way; The way to Compassion; The Compassion that is unconditional; The Unconditional that does not demand; Demand to be alike in our faith and beliefs; The Belief that Liberates from Human Tensions; Fears Read more →

Lighting this chalice, we invoke the presence

Lighting this chalice, we invoke the presence of Love in our hearts, to share it today among us and then spread it to the world. Therefore, let nobody feel a stranger in this circle and may all feel welcome. —from the ICUU and the Sociedad Unitaria Universalista de España

We light this chalice by giving thanks

We light this chalice by giving thanks for the fire of love that burns within our hearts, to remember that when fire meets fire there aren’t many, but one fire. And now we want to worship GOD the source of fire in all hearts, so that we may all be Read more →

We light this chalice in remembrance

We light this chalice in remembrance of our forebear Michael Servetus, who died in the month of October, more than 450 years ago, defending his right to think and believe independently. He said: “I wish that everybody was freely allowed to speak in our churches”, and so we recognize in Read more →

As we light this chalice, we recollect

As we light this chalice, we recollect the power enlightenment brings to the shadows of ignorance, the hope compassion brings to the heaviness of oppression, the warmth community brings to the loneliness of isolation. May this chalice inspire us to embody in our own lives enlightenment, compassion, and community, that Read more →

We Light This Chalice as a Symbol of the Light

We light this chalice as a symbol of the light that shines in the human heart. —Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain suue.org (from the ICUU)

We Light this Chalice

We light this chalice to mark the commencement of our Unitarian and Universalist service of witness. By this simple act of lighting a flame we are activating a symbol of our solidarity with a noble line of freedom of thought that is relevant today and necessary for the future of Read more →

When Life Seems Heavy and Dark — Lene Lund Shoemaker

When life seems heavy and dark, and you feel very sad – Light a candle! When life seems light and wonderful, and you feel like hugging the world – Light a candle! Let this flame represent precisely the candle you need to light at this very moment. —Lene Lund Shoemaker Read more →

May this Flame Go Up and Remind us that our Faith is Good — Petr Samojsky

May this flame go up and remind us that our faith is good: every one of us can bring love to the world. May this chalice burn with clear flame as a symbol of our path: every one of us can have joy, peace and harmony in our hearts. May Read more →

Just as the Sun Bathes Us in its Light — Derek McCullough

Just as the sun bathes us in its light, its warmth and its love, so may the spirit of this chalice bless us with truth, life, and love. —Derek McCullough from the ICUU and the Australian and New Zealand Unitarian Association anzua.org

Breath of the Divine — Janet Vickers

Breath of the divine, light a flame of reflection in all that we do. Breath of creation, light a flame of connection in our circle of care. Breath of wonder, light a flame of inspiration to cultivate participation. Breath of fear, light a flame of courage to be who we Read more →

As we Gather in the Shadow of our Mountain — Karien van der Walt

As we gather in the shadow of our mountain, The ocean laps around our feet. We reach deep for the silence within……….. Feel the rhythm of the ancient drum………… We light our flame, it lifts us high. Our rainbow seems alight. Diverse as we are Together as one! Our flame Read more →

We Light this Flame — Lillian Burlando

We light this flame that represents the light of Truth, the warmth of Love, and the energy of Action. —Lillian Burlando From the ICUU and the Peace and Harmony Center, Argentina

We Light our Chalice of Freedom — Judith Crompton

We light our chalice of freedom, our Unitarian symbol, In the spirit of faith, hope and love. As we do so, we reflect for a moment, In this place of simple beauty, On the meaning of these three things in our lives. And we think of those not here, Blessed Read more →

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