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Author Topic: UU Chalice Lighting for FlameKeepers  (Read 3565 times)

Sage

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UU Chalice Lighting for FlameKeepers
« on: January 07, 2014, 06:24:15 pm »
So basically: the chalice and its fire are important symbols for the Unitarian Universalist church. There's a prayer/hymn for the lighting of the chalice, which starts each UU service, and it struck me as particularly FlameKeepy:

   May the light we now kindle
Inspire us to use our powers
To heal and not to harm,
To help and not to hinder,
To bless and not to curse,
To serve You, O Spirit of Life

At the risk of making too many light/fire related puns, this and other UU words can come across as whitelighty in certain contexts, especially in congregations where "supporting religious diversity" comes across as "making no conflict happen whatsoever." It's been awhile since I looked at FK philosophy, but I know most of you in this SIG pretty well and I wouldn't be surprised if some agreed with me that sometimes we do need to harm, hinder, or curse for our good or the greater good or both.

That said, this chalice lighting prayer means a lot to me because of its focus on action as service to Deity. Healing, helping, and blessing aren't exactly passive verbs (although of course we have to sit down and consider what it means to help or to heal). The whole act of lighting the chalice is also a very deliberate action that, theoretically at least, Means Something.

So... yeah! This post is part "I found something neat that made me have thoughts" and "what do y'all think about it?" and "I haven't poked at FK in awhile, I should do that."

*wanders off again*
Maker, though the darkness comes upon me,
I shall embrace the light. I shall weather the storm.
I shall endure.
What you have created, no one can tear asunder.

-Canticle of Trials 1:10

Sage and Starshine (my spiritual blog): last updated 2/25.
Friday Otherfaith Blogging: last updated 2/27
Join the Emboatening Crew over on Kiva! Emboatening the boatless since Opet 2013.

mlr52

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Re: UU Chalice Lighting for FlameKeepers
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2014, 08:52:14 pm »
Quote from: Sage;135494
So basically: the chalice and its fire are important symbols for the Unitarian Universalist church. There's a prayer/hymn for the lighting of the chalice, which starts each UU service, and it struck me as particularly FlameKeepy:

   May the light we now kindle
Inspire us to use our powers
To heal and not to harm,
To help and not to hinder,
To bless and not to curse,
To serve You, O Spirit of Life

At the risk of making too many light/fire related puns, this and other UU words can come across as whitelighty in certain contexts, especially in congregations where "supporting religious diversity" comes across as "making no conflict happen whatsoever." It's been awhile since I looked at FK philosophy, but I know most of you in this SIG pretty well and I wouldn't be surprised if some agreed with me that sometimes we do need to harm, hinder, or curse for our good or the greater good or both.

That said, this chalice lighting prayer means a lot to me because of its focus on action as service to Deity. Healing, helping, and blessing aren't exactly passive verbs (although of course we have to sit down and consider what it means to help or to heal). The whole act of lighting the chalice is also a very deliberate action that, theoretically at least, Means Something.

So... yeah! This post is part "I found something neat that made me have thoughts" and "what do y'all think about it?" and "I haven't poked at FK in awhile, I should do that."

*wanders off again*

 
It is used by some but not all.  That you find meaning in it, Bless you and Light Your Candle.
Light Your Candle, In Love and Service, Blessed Be.
I am a Notary Public for The State of New York, - I do not charge for Notary Fee\'s, I Live in Brooklyn, N.Y.

HeartShadow

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Re: UU Chalice Lighting for FlameKeepers
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2014, 10:18:59 pm »
Quote from: Sage;135494


 
I do like it, though I agree with the "little TOO nice" thing.

If the world was that nice, we could be that nice ...but.  it isn't.  (naughty world!)

On the OTHER other hand (I'm an octopus!) (so tentacle?) I do think that being inspired to be a better person is never wasted!

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