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| Unitarian Universalist Flower Communion A Family Activity by Betsy Hill Williams The Flower Communion Service, created in 1923 by Norbert Capek, founder of the Unitarian Church of Czchoslovakia, was brought to the United States by Capek's wife, Maja V, where it was first celebrated in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1940. A former Baptist, Capek wanted a symbolic ritual to bind people together and give concrete expression to the humanity-affirming principles of Unitarianism. He turned to nature for communion elements, asking people to bring a flower to church, from their own gardens, or nearby fields or roadsides. By placing their flowers in a common vase, people signified that they joined with others by their own free will. The vase, filled with all the flowers, became a symbol of the united church community. During the service, Dr. Capek would say a prayer and "consecrate" the flowers, making them sacred symbols of fellowship and the oneness of humanity. As people left the church, they took a flower from the vase – other than the one they brought, thus symbolically sharing the sacred. Among Capek's congregation were a number of Jews whom Capek successfully hid from the Nazis, and eventually helped escape. Despite warnings from friends, Capek refused to stop preaching or to discontinue his humanitarian work. He was arrested and imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp, where he was killed in 1942. Many Unitarian Universalist churches include remembrance of Dr. Capek's courage and willingness to risk his life for his principles and liberal faith in their annual flower communion services. A FAMILY FLOWER COMMUNION You and your family can experience this uniquely Unitarian Universalist communion celebration of human worth and oneness. This service offers a wonderful way for a family to affirm itself, to honor the unique gifts and beauty of each individual and to feel connected to a larger community of faith. The service also presents the opportunity to experience the forms of the natural world up close; to tune in to the wonder of each flower and leaf as a distinct and precious living thing, and to feel our connection as distinct and precious human beings in the web of life. See the next page for more information about creating your own flower communion service with family and special friends. A Family Flower Communion Service Gathering: Place an empty vase on a table set with candles. Gather your family outdoors and ask each member to find one flower (or green sprig), that represents his or her uniqueness; and one that represents the uniqueness of your whole family. Also choose flowers to symbolize other significant people in your life, whether living or dead. Flower names, such as "daisy", "johnny-jump-ups", or "Jacob's ladder" might remind a child of him or herself. Colors and shapes express feelings and styles, too. Have fun talking about the ideas and feelings which different flowers stimulate. Or, gather your flowers in silence and share thoughts later. Place the flowers in the communion vase. Light the candles and recite Dr. Capek's prayer of consecration. Consecration of the Flowers By Dr. Norbert Chapek Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessings on these,Sharing: Now, take time to talk about the flowers each family member chose for the communion bouquet. Describe their beauty and spirit. Can you describe how the whole bouquet is like your family? Share a few moments of silence, as you contemplate the individual beauty and collective spirit of other communities in which you live (school, work, town, or fellowship) and in all humanity. Have family members take turns selecting two flowers from the large bouquet, giving them to the person next to them. Closing: When all the flowers are distributed, close with these words: May these flowers be for us the sign of the glory and  CLF Home Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-2823 Phone: (617) 948-6166 · Fax: (617) 523-4123 · Email: clf@uua.org Address of this page: http://www.uua.org/clf/connections/spring/flowercommunion.html | |