Session 16: Special Worship Services

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. — “Spirit of Life,” Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition Unitarian Universalists have many special worship services. This session guides you to introduce a flower ceremony (known in some congregations as a flower…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Special Worship Service: Flower Ceremony 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Water Ceremony 15 Alternate Activity 2: Sharing of Bre…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. What are the salient features of a special worship service at your congregation? The beauty of the flower ceremony, as the vases or piles of flowers grow with each contribution?…
Opening
From Chalice Children

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few extra bla…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flower and Water Ceremonies Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Post the…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: “The Flower Ceremony, A Plain and Simple Beauty,” adapted from a story by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer in her book Lamp in Every Corner: Our UU Storybook (Boston: Unitarian…
Activity 5: Special Worship Service, Flower Ceremony
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flower and Water Ceremonies Fresh flowers of many different varieties, at least one for each child and extras for the altar Pretty tablecloth Vase(s) or basket(s) Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Digi…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Two new songs and games-Five Little Flowers and Ring Around the Rosy-appear in this session in honor of the flower ceremony….
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy it for each child. Bring the “lit” preschool chalice to the activity…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Alternate Activity 1: Water Ceremony
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flower and Water Ceremonies Pretty tablecloth Attractive, clear vase or pitcher of water Clear plastic cups, one for each child A large bowl Paper towels Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Digital camer…
Alternate Activity 2: Sharing of Breads
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Pretty tablecloth Variety of breads, including some that are gluten-free, and baskets Cutting board and knife Plastic wrap Moistened paper towels Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Toppings, such as jam, butter, and honey, an…
Taking It Home: Special Worship Services
From Chalice Children

Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. — “Spirit of Life,” Hymn 123 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION . . ….
Leader Resource 1: The Flower and Water Ceremonies
From Chalice Children

Adapted from The Flower Communion: A Service of Celebration for Religious Liberals by Reginald Zottoli with permission from the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, which first published this resource in The Communion Book, edited by Carl Seaburg. The Flower Ceremony The Unitarian…
Leader Resource 2: Special Worship Service Basic Elements
From Chalice Children

Materials for Activity Items needed for the service Service altar items Materials for a supplementary, sensory activity Optional: Digital camera or smartphone Preparation for Activity Choose an activity to supplement the special worship service, ideally one with a sensory component (sight, touch,…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Read more about the Flower Ceremony. Explore Carl Seaburg’s The Communion Book and other resources for special services that are available from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. Look through Tapestry of Faith, the free online UUA curricula, to learn more about special UU worship services….