Chalica begins every year on the first Monday of December and runs for 7 nights.
Each night, the chalice is lit and one of our Unitarian Universalist Principles is honored. This can include chalice lighting words, a reading, discussion or journaling, a special meal, and particular actions that bring that Principle to life.
● The first night honors our first principle, where we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Tonight’s meal could include everyone’s favorite food – no judgment, just enjoy! Take some time to let the people you love be reminded of that. Then, find some common ground with someone whose ideas challenge you.
● Night two, an orange candle can represent offering fair and kind treatment. Is there a neighbor or friend who could use a meal tonight? Maybe a waiter needs an extra tip. Decide as a family what charity could use your help. Still need to choose a child from our angel tree? Tonight’s the night!
● On the third night, we light a yellow candle and seek to gain new understandings. Find a religious service online from another faith or take a virtual tour of the Vatican. Try a new food tonight – perhaps from an ethnicity you haven’t tried before.
● Our fourth night, our candle is lit to remind us that our spiritual growth is our responsibility. Try a new spiritual practice – like yoga, or join Carolyn and Scott for meditation.
● Night five, we light a candle to affirm democracy. Take a vote for tonight’s dinner, then play a game to see who can name the most elected officials.
● The sixth night is a good night for leftovers. We light our sixth candle to remind us to work for a fair and peaceful world. This would be a good night to visit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s website and learn about the good work that you can support.
● We light our seventh candle to show our respect for our interdependent web – a good night for a vegetarian meal and stargazing! Find green ways to wrap your presents on this day – dish towels, brown paper or recycled wrapping can help.
● And, finally on the eighth night, we light a candle to remind us that we still have much work to do to dismantle oppressive systems. We can add to our understanding tonight, by watching a movie that highlights ways our country has caused harm to people in the past or shares a perspective we’re not familiar with.
The possibilities here are endless! However, you decide to bring Chalica to life in your home this year, I hope it provides you with a connection to your faith and a connection to each other.
Each night, the chalice is lit and one of our Unitarian Universalist Principles is honored. This can include chalice lighting words, a reading, discussion or journaling, a special meal, and particular actions that bring that Principle to life.
● The first night honors our first principle, where we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Tonight’s meal could include everyone’s favorite food – no judgment, just enjoy! Take some time to let the people you love be reminded of that. Then, find some common ground with someone whose ideas challenge you.
● Night two, an orange candle can represent offering fair and kind treatment. Is there a neighbor or friend who could use a meal tonight? Maybe a waiter needs an extra tip. Decide as a family what charity could use your help. Still need to choose a child from our angel tree? Tonight’s the night!
● On the third night, we light a yellow candle and seek to gain new understandings. Find a religious service online from another faith or take a virtual tour of the Vatican. Try a new food tonight – perhaps from an ethnicity you haven’t tried before.
● Our fourth night, our candle is lit to remind us that our spiritual growth is our responsibility. Try a new spiritual practice – like yoga, or join Carolyn and Scott for meditation.
● Night five, we light a candle to affirm democracy. Take a vote for tonight’s dinner, then play a game to see who can name the most elected officials.
● The sixth night is a good night for leftovers. We light our sixth candle to remind us to work for a fair and peaceful world. This would be a good night to visit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s website and learn about the good work that you can support.
● We light our seventh candle to show our respect for our interdependent web – a good night for a vegetarian meal and stargazing! Find green ways to wrap your presents on this day – dish towels, brown paper or recycled wrapping can help.
● And, finally on the eighth night, we light a candle to remind us that we still have much work to do to dismantle oppressive systems. We can add to our understanding tonight, by watching a movie that highlights ways our country has caused harm to people in the past or shares a perspective we’re not familiar with.
The possibilities here are endless! However, you decide to bring Chalica to life in your home this year, I hope it provides you with a connection to your faith and a connection to each other.