Faith Formation at Cedars
You may have noticed a number of different folks lighting and extinguishing the chalice each week. It’s part of an effort to get more people involved in the service, part of an effort to make sure we “see” each other even when we can’t meet in person.
Do you want to light the chalice? Here’s how to make it work.
Find a spot in your home or outdoors where there is room for a table and a chalice. It is probably easiest if you use your phone. Record yourself — or have someone record you — lighting the chalice and saying the traditional Cedars chalice lighting words:
As we come together to worship,
We remind ourselves to treat all people kindly
Because we are one family
To take good care of the earth because it is our home, and
To live lives full of love and goodness
Because that is how we will all become the best that we can be.
Then, take a pause of several seconds (no need to even stop the video) and blow out the chalice, saying these words:
We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth,
The warmth of community, or the fire of commitment.
These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.
That’s it! Send the video to me at faith.formation@cedarsuuchurch.org
A couple of small suggestions: Make sure that your location has good light and that you speak loudly enough to be captured by the microphone. Also, record your video horizontally rather than vertically so that you will fill the screen.
It doesn’t have to be a solo affair either! Families and couples can do this together. We all look forward to seeing you.
The Chalice Camp Song
My kids and I learned this song when they went to Chalice Camp in Oakland, California. It was written by Rev. Sheri Prud’homme and Laila Ibrahim, who together run Chalice Camp through the Oakland UU Church. Since I learned the song nine years ago, it has become a faithful companion, a tiny earworm that reminds me of what I believe, what I hold dear. My daughter Annie joined me for the singing part!
Faith Formation Leader