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Girls lighting a chalice at the General Assembly Opening Ceremony.

About the Chalice

A flame within a chalice (a cup with a stem and foot), represents the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and is a symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith. Read more about the history and symbolism of the flaming chalice.

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 21

  • Small votive candles are lit in the catacombs under the raised pews of the Belper Unitarian Chapel in Derbyshire, UK
    This burning flame represented hope during the bleakness of World War II.
    Chalice Lighting | By anastasi birosh | May 23, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Generations, History, Hope, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • UU Church of Rockford IL stained glass chalice
    Our ancestors in faith acted with courage to bring hope and safety.
    Chalice Lighting | By Pat Uribe-Lichty | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Generations, History, Unitarianism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A red candle glows, and the bottom half of a person's face is visible.
    The chalice, as a symbol of Unitarian Universalism, arose as a beacon of hope in an atmosphere of tyranny. The chalice arose as a sign of promise that the marginalized would neither be forgotten nor ignored, because they are beloved and precious from the perspective of the Holy. This morning, we...
    Chalice Lighting | By Erika Hewitt | August 5, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Anti-Oppression, Freedom, Generations, History, Hope, Oppression, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Wholeness
  • A small flame burns atop a ceramic oil lamp in New Delhi, India
    In a time of uncertainty, when everything around us is changing constantly— each day new developments, rising numbers, changing guidelines; when the world we live in suddenly seems upside-down and topsy-turvy: We light our chalice to remind ourselves of our grounding in our faith....
    Chalice Lighting | By Alice Anacheka-Nasemann | March 27, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Courage, History, Hope, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism
  • A full moon rises behind the silhouette of trees
    As we kindle this the flame, we honor and remember Those who have passed into the mystery. Their brightness lives on in our vision; their courage lives on in our commitments; and their love continues to bless the world through us.
    Chalice Lighting | By Florence Caplow | October 31, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Connections, Death, Generations, History, Humanism, Mystery, Samhain
  • In the middle of a Pride parade, rainbow flags in the background, a Freddie Mercury impersonator strikes a powerful pose.
    We light our chalice flame For those who lived their lives in closets of shame; For those who furtively visited the bars, where nobody knew your name; For the Stonewall riot—and the fierce transwomen who fought; For the plague, which still takes far too many, too young, too soon. So many gone. So...
    Chalice Lighting | By Lori Gorgas Hlaban | June 6, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Anti-Oppression, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Generations, History, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, National Coming Out Day, Pride Sunday, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular
  • One set of hands hold a plate with a loaf of bread, while another set of hands breaks a piece off for communion.
    We gather here today to share and give thanks, To tell stories and break bread and be together in holy communion. We light our chalice this morning in the spirit of thanksgiving, With love, hope, and generosity of spirit, Grateful for this blessed opportunity to be together.
    Chalice Lighting | By Nick Wilbourn | November 25, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Communion (Christian), Gratitude, History, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism
  • A flame rises from the flaming chalice, a symbol of Unitarian Universalist faith.
    We light this chalice in honor of Life’s sacred dance of living and dying. May its flame remind us of those who have passed to us fragments of holiness. May it remind us that we too are participants in the dance. inspired by Wendell Berry and Sara Moores Campbell...
    Chalice Lighting | By Joanne Giannino | November 4, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Commitment, Death, Direct Experience, Generations, History, Hope, Humanism
  • etched glass chalice made by Wade Stephen Baker, Kwakiutl Artist.
    The flaming chalice was first used by the Unitarian Service Committee as a symbol of life-saving refuge for people fleeing persecution in Europe. As we light this chalice, we invoke the love that called people to put their lives at risk to save others. May we be vessels of life-saving welcome.
    Chalice Lighting | By Michael J. Tino | July 28, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Activism, Commitment, Community, Ethics, History, Justice, Justice Sunday, Relationships, Salvation, Unitarianism
  • Teacher with young children making chalices.
    Fire of our faith, fire our future.
    Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Commitment, Faith, Generations, History, Hope, Identity, Journey, Leadership, Living Our Faith, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism