Celebrate 100 Years of the Flower Ceremony!

The first Flower Ceremony was held in Prague, in June 1923, led by *Rev. Norbert Čapek. For decades, this beloved tradition and its powerful history have provided meaning to hundreds of UU congregations.

As the centennial of this ritual approaches, WorshipWeb is preparing a set of videos for use in worship:

• One set of videos will feature Rev. Dr. **Petr Samojský, minister of the Prague Unitarian Congregation in the Czech Republic, in conversation with Rev. Erika Hewitt, the UUA's Minister of Worship Arts. These videos will provide insight into the history of the flower ceremony, the ongoing Czech traditions and practices of the flower ceremony, and reflections about the relationship between Rev. Čapek's memory and the modern flower ceremony. These videos will be offered in a series, so that congregations can select which, if any, to include in worship or in conversation groups.
• The other set of videos feature Rev. Dr. **Petr Samojský offering a blessing of flowers in both Czech and English.

  

  Flower Power!

  In November 2022, Rev. Dr. Petr Samojský (top) spent a day in Stow, MA, recording material for the Flower Ceremony Centennial with a team: Rev. Erika Hewitt, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum, and Ted Resnikoff (UUA).

Both sets of videos will be available on this page by March 31, 2023, along with a description guide. Other resources will also be linked here so that this page can serve as a container for many riches celebrating the Flower Ceremony Centennial!

Most UU congregations have their own tradition around the timing of the flower ceremony—some celebrate in May, while others honor the original date of early June. We invite you to schedule your flower ceremony at a time in the worship year that feels most appropriate for you.

*Note: Č is a separate latter of the Czech alphabet, pronounced like the "ch" in "chocolate." Čapek is pronounced "CHOP-ek."

**Note: Rev. Dr. Petr Samojský's name is pronounced "Peter Sah-MOY-skee."