Chalica is a weeklong UU holiday that many UU’s are becoming aware of as an event families can celebrate in their homes with family. Chalica is a Celebration of the Flame. It first emerged in 2005 and now has a Facebook fan page with more than 1,000 fans. What is it? It is an invitation to spend a day with each of the UU Principles, reflecting on their meaning, and doing a good deed focused on each one. Chalica begins the first Monday of December and runs for seven days.
This is an excellent blog with lots more details about Chalica: CHALICA.
Here are examples:
Monday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for the inherent worth and dignity of every person—the belief that each and every person is important.
Monday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor those you do not understand, agree with or even like. Examples:
- a thank-you card celebrating differences
- words of forgiveness / apology
- a peace offering such as inviting someone to dinner
- stand up someone who being bullied
Tuesday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for justice, equity and compassion in human relations—the belief that all people should be treated fairly and kindly.
Tuesday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor those in your local community that are less fortunate.
Examples:
- serve food at a soup kitchen
- donate clothes and toys to a worthy organization
- display kindness and care to those around you
Wednesday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations—the belief that we are all accepted and we learn together.
Wednesday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor fellow Unitarian Universalists and their spiritual journey.
Examples:
- a chalice, book,hymnal
- extend words of peace or forgiveness to a fellow Unitarian with whom you may have hurt or not understood in the past
- take part in an event at your church with your fellow Unitarian Universalists
Thursday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for a free and responsible search for truth and meaning—the belief that each person should be free to search for what is true and right in life.
Thursday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor another tradition, to honor education
Examples:
- take part in an event that celebrates another religion or tradition
- teach someone something you know and love
- learn something new from someone else
- give a book or read a book
Friday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for the right of conscious and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large—the belief that all should have a vote about what concerns us.
Friday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor democracy
Examples:
- write your government about something you care about
- help a committee at church
- host a dinner or party to celebrate democracy
- take part in a political demonstration
Saturday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for the goal of world peace, liberty and justice for all—the belief that we should work for a peaceful, fair and free world.
Saturday’s Gift:
Give gifts to honor our global community
Examples:
- volunteer with an organization that has global influence
- write a letter for Amnesty International
- help your social justice committee hold a fundraiser
- donate to a cause such as UNICEF, Doctors without Borders, etc.
Sunday’s Chalice Lighting:
We light our chalice for respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part –the belief that we should care for the world and each other because we are all connected.
Sunday’s Gift: Give gifts to our earth
Examples:
-eat a meal from local foods grown or made within 100 miles of your home
- recycle bottles and cans and donate the money to an environmental group
- set up a birdfeeder in your yard
-- start a compost
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The Polar Express
Students are asked to stay after the church service on Sunday, December 4th, to practice in the church for 30 minutes. Also, all students on Sunday, December 11 are asked to be at the church by 9:15 a.m. for practice. We are asking for donations of cookies, fruit, and cheese and crackers for December 11. Parents who are bringing baked goods, should deliver them to the RE wing.
Giving: Outreach in Action
Please remember to bring in new mittens, gloves and hats to decorate our tree at the back of the church. These donations will go to the two schools which we provide assistance.
Important Dates
Dec. 11 The Polar Express
Dec. 18 RE Committee Meeting, 9:15 a.m.
Jan. 20 Circle-Circle Dinner
Julie Artis, Director of Religious Education
