For many Unitarian Universalists, the ingathering ritual helps mark the beginning of the congregational year. Other rituals can include water communion, homecoming and blessing backpacks, as this time of year also marks the end of summer travels and adventures and the start of a new school year.

Diwali (or Divali) is the Indian festival of lights, and India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness....