Sixth Principle Resources for Unitarian Universalist Congregations: The Flower Communion
Celebrating Flower Communion is an excellent opportunity for Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations to express their commitment to our Sixth Principle: We Covenant to Affirm and Promote the Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All.
Following are a few suggestions for bringing Sixth Principle Ministry to life in relation to your Flower Communion service in Seven Areas:
- Spiritually,
- Through Education,
- Through Advocacy,
- Through Partnership,
- Through Stewardship,
- Through Pilgrimage and Witness, and
- Through Associational Leadership.
Hopefully they will inspire even more creative ideas.
For more information about any of the suggestions, or to share additional ideas, please contact the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Office of International Resources: international @ uua.org.
Spiritually
- Make good use of the excellent materials written and collected by Reginald Zottoli (PDF, 9 pages). This collection includes historical information about Reverends Norbert and Maja Capek, readings written by Norbert Capek for the original Flower services, and suggestions of appropriate hymns.
- Include the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU)’s most recent Global Chalice Lighting Reading.
- Offer heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all U/U brothers and sisters around the world.
- A specific request for prayers of support has come from the UU Christians of Pakistan who have recently begun a trauma response ministry provided to victims of bombings in Lahore in March 2008:
- Extend your spiritual support to the newest members of the international U/U community in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Congo (Brazzaville).
- Express gratitude for the spiritual leadership provided by U/U’s around the world.
- Offer thanks for the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU), UU Partner Church Council (UUPCC), UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO), UU Global Aids Coalition (UUGAC), UU Service Committee (UUSC), UU Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) and many others.
- Commit to be spiritually inspired by U/U’s who lived lives committed to international engagement, like Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp, Natalie Gulbrandsen, or Bah Brington Mylliemngap
- Offer your spiritual support to religious people around the world, especially those who suffer for righteousness sake:
- Remember the Buddhist monks from Burma/Myanmar who have shown tremendous courage in the face of violence and oppression.
- Remember the people of Tibet whose religious and political freedom are currently being assailed.
Through Education
- Schedule a book group discussion of Richard Henry’s biography, Norbert Fabian Capek: A Spiritual Journey
- Use intergenerational Religious Education materials created by the UUPCC or the ICUU’s "The Garden of Unitarian-Universalism."
- Schedule a small group ministry focus on international engagement by using modules created by the UUSC.
Through Justice Making and Advocacy
- During the Flower Communion service highlight the international advocacy work your congregation is already involved with, or invite the congregation to consider doing so by:
- Becoming involved in the UUSC’s Drumbeat for Darfur campaign
- Participating in the Peacemaking study/action process
- Using the Resource Guide (PDF, 21 pages) to address the 2006 Statement of Conscience on Global Warming/Climate Change.
Through Partnership
- During the Flower Communion Service remember the importance of your congregation’s international partnership with a UU congregation in Transylvania, Hungary, India or the Philippines.
- If your congregation doesn’t have a partner church, invite a conversation to become involved with partner church ministry through the UUPCC.
Through Faithful Stewardship
- Request a special offering during the Flower Communion service to support an international engagement project, like:
- Supporting U/Uism in Africa.
- The UU Church of the Philippine’s Dormitory Project
- The UU-UNO’s “Every Child is Our Child” Program
- The HIV/AIDS Orphanage Project of the UU Association of Uganda
- The Inderias Bhatti Foundation/UUs of Pakistan’s new trauma response ministry. (for more information about any of these funds, please contact the International Resources Office)
Through Pilgrimage and Witness
- During the Flower Communion Service or following it:
- Announce a congregational pilgrimage to your partner church
- Share pictures and stories about a recent congregational pilgrimage
- Invite the congregation to imagine a place where their religious witness would be helpful, and invite them to plan to do so.
Through Associational Leadership
- Honor the International engagement leadership that a member of your congregation has provided locally or to the Unitarian Universalist movement.
- Commit to share your congregation’s experiences in international engagement with other UU congregations—the UUA’s International Resources Office would like to help you do so!
Last updated on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
