Last Sunday was the annual Flower Communion, one of the two “high holidays” of Unitarian Universalism. It represents the end of the worship calendar as we transition to a summer schedule. And it represents community and diversity, as everyone brings a flower to the service and takes away a different one.
This worship service has been a favorite UU moment for me ever since I became a UU 25 years ago. Joy and sharing are at the center of the ritual, and it connects us with Unitarians from the past (the flower communion comes from the Unitarian Church of Czechoslovakia in 1923) and with Unitarian Universalists today (nearly all of the 1,000 UU congregations in the United States today celebrate the flower communion in May or June).
Last Sunday was a high point for me and gave me a joyful perspective on this community. A great piece of the joy was the fact that four new members joined the Fellowship that morning: Sierra Burke, Kirsten King, Jenny Main, and Janet Olson signed the book and were welcomed by the congregation. We also celebrated the graduations of young people who attended UUFCM as children.
In the fellowship hall after the service, everyone was holding the flower they received in the ceremony; there were new people; there were congregants who had returned after months away…the room was full of joy and love. Taking in the moment, I felt a profound personal joy: for me to be minister to this vibrant congregation is a dream come true—as much as I could have ever hoped for when I decided to go into UU ministry.
Yes, there are challenges here: we have a budget deficit that required the Board to make cuts to important programs for next year. We just said good bye to our Youth Coordinator and don’t have a new one in place for the fall. We have just completed a vote on Article II that shows an ongoing division about the direction of Unitarian Universalism at the national level. And--those challenges are small compared to the joy and unity that was present on Sunday at the Flower Communion. As 19th century Universalist Hosea Ballou said, “If we agree in love, there is no disagreement that can do us any injury, but if we do not, no other agreement can do us any good. Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace.”
In addition to the Flower Communion, the other high holiday of Unitarian Universalism is the Water Ingathering at the end of summer, when congregants bring water and pour it into a common bowl. We will practice this ritual on August 25.
PRAYER:
May Love bless every Unitarian Universalist congregation.
May Love bless every delegate attending GA this month.
May this religion continue to bring joy and togetherness to diverse communities everywhere. Blessed be.
Rev. Andrew Frantz
June 12, 2024
This worship service has been a favorite UU moment for me ever since I became a UU 25 years ago. Joy and sharing are at the center of the ritual, and it connects us with Unitarians from the past (the flower communion comes from the Unitarian Church of Czechoslovakia in 1923) and with Unitarian Universalists today (nearly all of the 1,000 UU congregations in the United States today celebrate the flower communion in May or June).
Last Sunday was a high point for me and gave me a joyful perspective on this community. A great piece of the joy was the fact that four new members joined the Fellowship that morning: Sierra Burke, Kirsten King, Jenny Main, and Janet Olson signed the book and were welcomed by the congregation. We also celebrated the graduations of young people who attended UUFCM as children.
In the fellowship hall after the service, everyone was holding the flower they received in the ceremony; there were new people; there were congregants who had returned after months away…the room was full of joy and love. Taking in the moment, I felt a profound personal joy: for me to be minister to this vibrant congregation is a dream come true—as much as I could have ever hoped for when I decided to go into UU ministry.
Yes, there are challenges here: we have a budget deficit that required the Board to make cuts to important programs for next year. We just said good bye to our Youth Coordinator and don’t have a new one in place for the fall. We have just completed a vote on Article II that shows an ongoing division about the direction of Unitarian Universalism at the national level. And--those challenges are small compared to the joy and unity that was present on Sunday at the Flower Communion. As 19th century Universalist Hosea Ballou said, “If we agree in love, there is no disagreement that can do us any injury, but if we do not, no other agreement can do us any good. Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace.”
In addition to the Flower Communion, the other high holiday of Unitarian Universalism is the Water Ingathering at the end of summer, when congregants bring water and pour it into a common bowl. We will practice this ritual on August 25.
PRAYER:
May Love bless every Unitarian Universalist congregation.
May Love bless every delegate attending GA this month.
May this religion continue to bring joy and togetherness to diverse communities everywhere. Blessed be.
Rev. Andrew Frantz
June 12, 2024
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