Adapted from Flower Communion by Reginald Zotolli. This author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.

Leader:

By exchanging flowers in this service, participants follow the example of Norbert Capek. He believed that each of us is different and unique and when we gather together to worship or learn, we create a bouquet of beautiful people.

Light the chalice.

Participant or Leader:

Today, we place our flowers in a common vase, remembering we are all individuals but we are also people of a common faith.

Leader:

Please come forward and your flower in the vase on the altar.

In silence, tissue paper flowers are brought up to altar and carefully placed in vase.

Participant or Leader:

Children of the earth and sky, we are given warmth and light from above and below.

Participant or Leader:

Supported by earth's strong, firm ground, we build homes, till fields, and plant gardens.

When we are aware of blossoms, birds, and sky, then earth is truly our home.

We are one with all earth's creatures.*

Leader:

The ceremony we are about to celebrate has taken place all over the world in Unitarian Universalist churches since 1923. Norbert Capek started this ritual to celebrate the beauty of our faith and the people in it. In each flower, Capek saw hope for humanity, even though he would later die because of his beliefs. Let us remember him and his principles and dreams.

Participant or Leader:

Spirit of Life, bless us. Remind us that we meet in fellowship and love. Even though we are all different, we gather as one in love. Remind us that we gather in friendship where we do and share.

Participant or Leader:

Friendship is the most precious gift. Let us remember that we all do what we can and we are all needed to make this beautiful world.

Participant or Leader:

Let's share in a flower ceremony. Each of you will come up in silence and choose a flower not made by your hands. Hold it with care. It is a gift someone else has made for you with love.

Have participants silently line up to go up to the altar to find a flower.

Participant or Leader:

We use flowers to help us symbolize the love that is hidden deep inside us.

Participant or Leader:

Flowers are beautiful and so are the feelings of love among us. We have brought our flowers and our love to brighten our church and make our hearts glad.

Extinguish the chalice.

*adapted from Alice Berry