Session 7: Love Surrounds Us in Ritual Part of Love Surrounds Us In This Section Introduction to Session 7 From Love Surrounds Us Ritual is the way we carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the spark that must not go out. Session-at-a-Glance From Love Surrounds Us Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: What Is Ritual? Spiritual Preparation From Love Surrounds Us Not all Unitarian Universalist congregations use the same rituals, and the use of ritual within a congregation can vary.... Welcoming and Entering From Love Surrounds Us Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Drawing paper and crayons Preparation for Activity If you ha... Opening for Session 7 From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Ribbon sticks (or wrist ribbons) in a container (Session 1, Opening) Chalice, candle, and lighter or... Activity 1: What Is Ritual? From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Clear a large open space for participants to sit in a circle on the floor.... Activity 2: Story, The Flower Ceremony, A Plain and Simple Beauty From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "The Flower Ceremony - A Plain and Simple Beauty" Leader Resource 1, Norbert Capek... Activity 3: Flower Making From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Sheets of tissue paper in multiple colors Green chenille pipe cleaners Preparation for Activity Cut the... Activity 4: Flower Ceremony From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Flower Ceremony Service Centering table (Opening) Vase or container to hold tissue paper... Closing From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 5 minutes Description of Activity Invite everyone to gather in a circle and hold hands. Leader Reflection and Planning From Love Surrounds Us Think about the participants who participated in the session today. What did they learn? Do they understand the idea of ritual?... Faith In Action: Leading a Flower Ceremony From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Flower Ceremony Service Tissue paper flowers made in Activity 3, Flower Making Chalice, cand... Alternate Activity 1: Flower Poem From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Index cards, enough for each participant to have three Pencils for all participants Preparation for... Alternate Activity 2: Altar Symbols From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Clay that air-dries or can be baked, various colors Parchment paper Preparation for Activity Separate c... Alternate Activity 3: Ritual Collage From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Large pieces of construction paper in various colors Magazines, newspapers, greeting cards, and calenda... Alternate Activity 4: Poster, Third Principle From Love Surrounds Us Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 2, Poster - Third Principle Crayons and/or color markers Preparation for Activity Copy Handout ... Taking It Home From Love Surrounds Us Ritual is the way we carry the presence of the sacred. Ritual is the spark that must not go out. — Christina Baldwin, in Life's Companion: Journal... The Flower Ceremony, A Plain and Simple Beauty From Love Surrounds Us Adapted from a story by Janeen K. Grohsmeyer in her book Lamp in Every Corner: Our UU Storybook (Boston: Unitarian Universalist Association, 2004). Used... Handout 1: Flower Ceremony Service From Love Surrounds Us Adapted from Flower Communion by Reginald Zotolli.... Handout 2: Poster, Third Principle From Love Surrounds Us Unitarian Universalist Third Principle In our congregations, we accept all people and we learn together.... Leader Resource 1: Norbert Capek From Love Surrounds Us From the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society's online Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography.... Find Out More From Love Surrounds Us Flower Ceremony The Unitarian Universalist Association online Leaders Library has readings, prayers, and ceremonial words for use in a Flower Ceremony. Dr. PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Love Surrounds Us NEXT: Introduction to Session 7 Download all of Love Surrounds Us (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.