Water Communion
The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September).
Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation's "holy water" in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.
Faith Without Borders
The Water Ceremony/ Communion Service is an excellent opportunity for Unitarian Universalist congregations to express their commitment to our Sixth Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. See Sixth Principle Resources for Water Communion Services.
From Tapestry of Faith Curricula
Unitarian Universalist Perspectives
- UU World Articles on the Water Communion
- Interconnections Article: Changes to Water Service Bring Deeper Meaning
- Lifting Water Communion above privilege and trivia, a blog post by Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern
Search Words for Worship Services
Displaying 1 - 10 of 37.
Affirmation
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All Water Is One Water (WorshipWeb)By Mel Hoover, Rose EdingtonTagged as: 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Body, Climate Justice, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Interdependence, Nature, Responsibility, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism
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So are we bound together (WorshipWeb)By Elizabeth Lerner MaclayTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, WorshipWeb
Blessing
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May The Waters Gathered Here (WorshipWeb)By Susan KarlsonTagged as: Abundance, Earth, Gratitude, Growth, Interdependence, Journey, Nature, Sacred, Searching, Strength, Unitarian Universalism
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Teacher Hand Blessing (WorshipWeb)By Charlie DieterichTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Beginnings, Body, Caring, Children, Earth-Centered, Education, Generations, Gratitude, Growth, Humanism, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
Chalice Lighting
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The Spirit of Water (WorshipWeb)By Katie GelfandTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Nature, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism
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Thirsty (WorshipWeb)By Gregory PelleyTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Agnosticism, Body, Community, Compassion, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Hope, Humanism, Joy, Love, Nature, Searching, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
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We Gather As Many Drops (WorshipWeb)By Leslie TakahashiTagged as: Community, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Meaning, Nature, Playfulness, Unitarian Universalism
Closing
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Until We Meet Again (WorshipWeb)By Amy Zucker MorgensternTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Acceptance, Community, Honesty, Relationships, Service, Unitarian Universalism
Complete Service
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What Will You Bring to the Feast? (WorshipWeb)By Erika HewittTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Connections, Generosity, International, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Responsibility, Stewardship