Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Faith Like a River: A Program on Unitarian Universalist History for Adults

Opening

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle
  • Optional: Decorative cloth

Preparation for Activity

  • Set up a worship or centering table with the chalice and (optional) decorative cloth.

Description of Activity

Light the chalice with these words from the Reverend Libbie Stoddard, minister emeria of the First Universalist Society of Central Square, NY:

Journeys begin in many ways:

... ... ... a step,

... ... ... ... ... an idea,

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .a goal,

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..a dream,

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... a longing.

How we travel may matter more

than how far we travel;

The struggle may matter more

than what we win.

This room, this building, this fellowship,

is both a starting place for our journeys,

and a stopping place along the way.

Draw nourishment from the presence of each one another;

share your many and varied maps;

journey on, sustained and enriched by the spirit

and wisdom and love to be found here.