The Flaming Chalice

[cityms]

About sculptures and paintings and such, our church in Toronto has a great big metal chalice, the lid of which is mounted on the wall, the base with the candles is at floor level. We frequently have art exhibitions in the church and these vary from time to time. They are not specifically Christian, no. The tower of the church has a stained glass window in abstract bright colours.

 

[keithnurse]

I attend the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, Clearwater, FL. Our services always begin with the lighting of the chalice and we read in unison the chalice lighting words. We have child naming ceremonies whenever someone brings a child to be named or dedicated. The minister blesses the child with the four elements of fire, water, earth, air. Once a year we also have a "flower communion" ritual and we host local Buddhists for the Vesak festival which celebrates Gautama Buddhas birthday. At that celebration we participate in the "bathing the Buddha" ritual.

 

[blackout]

So I am curious... when you are called to "worship"....
I guess that means you simply each get in your own spiritual "zone"?

I imagine lay fellowships do not do this.
Worshipping is not something I'm real fond of.

I really do not want to join a church.

I just want to make friends with spiritually open minded people where I live.

I really don't know what to do.

I think there's nowhere for me.

 

[blackout]

I really like this one:

I like that one too Bill. :yes:

Mine would be all black background,
Purple Flame...
illuminating Purple/BlackLight glow
Cauldron instead of chalice...
and UV "glowing" circles.
(a bit similar to this one)

Sparkly Purple Glow inside the circles
(Twilight)
Pitch black outside
(Night/Chaos)

Maybe I'll try *drawing* it.
See if it fits.

 

[blackout]

Why are there always two circles instead of one?

 

[bicker]

The two circles represent the dual heritage of Unitarianism, and Universalism.

 

[J Bryson]

So I am curious... when you are called to "worship"....
I guess that means you simply each get in your own spiritual "zone"?

I imagine lay fellowships do not do this.
Worshipping is not something I'm real fond of.

I really do not want to join a church.

I just want to make friends with spiritually open minded people where I live.

I really don't know what to do.

I think there's nowhere for me.

Some lay fellowships may do this, some may not.

You may enjoy a UU service as being something slightly different from the norm, or you may find it not to your liking. What's important above and beyond all else is that you explore your spirituality in a manner that makes sense to you as an individual, and believe something that does not strain your credulity or insult your obvious intelligence. If you can find that in UU, that's fantastic. If not, that's also fantastic, since finding out what works for you often involves a whole lot of finding out what doesn't work for you.

 

[blackout]

hahaha! I just realized something!

My "religion" is UV not UU!
But perhaps close enough to work a Majik there.

I just made a beautiful and unique UV-UU Sigil.

It expresses me completely & uniquely...
while still capturing the essence of the Flaming Chalice Signa.

Maybe Nanda can scan it up for me the next time I see her,
so you can all see it.

I felt so convicted last night to go visit the local UU.
I was talking about it with my 16 year old.
Then today, reading these threads,
the thought made me very nervous... apprehensive...

Now that I've somehow reconciled UV & UU in this Sigil/Signa
I'm thinking maybe I can somehow reconcile my differences
through 'the cast' of my own creative majik.

I may as well at least give it a try.
It's not a church... and I'm not bringing my kids.
I'm sorry if I'm taking over your threads.

Please don't think I'm being negative either.
There is no other organized fellowship
(not of the LHP) that I would even CONSIDER trying.
So really , it's a positive... a compliment.

 

[J Bryson]

hahaha! I just realized something!

My "religion" is UV not UU!
But perhaps close enough to work a Majik there.

That's an important and valuable insight.

I just made a beautiful and unique UV-UU Sigil.

I would love to see it!

It expresses me completely & uniquely...

while still capturing the essence of the Flaming Chalice Signa.

Maybe Nanda can scan it up for me the next time I see her,
so you can all see it.

I felt so convicted last night to go visit the local UU.
I was talking about it with my 16 year old.
Then today, reading these threads,
the thought made me very nervous... apprehensive...

Yeah, I understand that feeling all too well.

Now that I've somehow reconciled UV & UU in this Sigil/Signa

I'm thinking maybe I can somehow reconcile my differences
through 'the cast' of my own creative majik.

That's the best way to reconcile any mental or psychological differences at times.

I may as well at least give it a try.

It's not a church... and I'm not bringing my kids.
I'm sorry if I'm taking over your threads.

Can't speak for anyone else, but I'm enjoying the conversation.

Please don't think I'm being negative either.

There is no other organized fellowship
(not of the LHP) that I would even CONSIDER trying.
So really , it's a positive... a compliment.

And I, for one, am taking it as such.

 

[lilithu]

hahaha! I just realized something!

My "religion" is UV not UU!
But perhaps close enough to work a Majik there.

Many UUs think that UUs is about having the space to find their own spiritualilty, in which case UV and UU would not be incompatible. I (and other UUs) feel that many UUs have over-emphasized individualism in recent years, and that UU is NOT about individual spirituality; it's about community. That's why we work on social justice. That's why we are covenental instead of credal.

So I am curious... when you are called to "worship"....

I call it worship because (at least in my congregation) it is worship. It's recognition of something larger than ourselves, and rejoicing in our togetherness.

I guess that means you simply each get in your own spiritual "zone"?

If each of us are are in our own spiritual "zones", what is the point of coming together? I can do that in my own home.

 

[keithnurse]

So I am curious... when you are called to "worship"....
I guess that means you simply each get in your own spiritual "zone"?

I imagine lay fellowships do not do this.
Worshipping is not something I'm real fond of.

I really do not want to join a church.

I just want to make friends with spiritually open minded people where I live.

I really don't know what to do.

I think there's nowhere for me.

I'm not really sure what you are thinking when you say "worship". Maybe you mean mainstream Christian worship which involves praising a god or saying "Father we praise you we bow down to you". We don't get into an individual "zone".When UUs worship we don't bow down to a god or praise a god who demand that people praise him. UU worship is more like "worth ship" as a community giving worth to or honoring or celebrating creativity, wisdom, nature, music, literature and human knowledge and wisdom handed down to us through the ages. I hope this helps a tiny bit.

 

[blackout]

I'm not really sure what you are thinking when you say "worship". Maybe you mean mainstream Christian worship which involves praising a god or saying "Father we praise you we bow down to you". We don't get into an individual "zone".When UUs worship we don't bow down to a god or praise a god who demand that people praise him. UU worship is more like "worth ship" as a community giving worth to or honoring or celebrating creativity, wisdom, nature, music, literature and human knowledge and wisdom handed down to us through the ages. I hope this helps a tiny bit.

Thank you Keith.

That last bit is quite helpful. Worth-ship I can get with.

I have long had a "problem" with the word worship.
Standard definitions seem to include an "other" deity.
(see dictionary entry below)

But as I see each Self as Deity...
and I-dolls as something so potentially personal to the Self
as to generate feelings of genuine love as a >>
Sacred *Object*..... (of your attention)
which could also be creativity, wisdom, nature, music etc etc
(as you stated)...
also generating love...

I guess one could ardently devote themSelf
to any of these things...
as I have ardently devoted my life to music for example.

Still...
I seem to feel this is all rather a stretch...
and would simply prefer to use another word.

Worth-ship is good!

I like that. :rainbow1:


wor·ship (wûr

sh

p) [SIZE=-2]KEY [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]NOUN: [/SIZE]

1. 1. <LI type=a>The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
   2. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.
2. Ardent devotion; adoration.
3. often [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Worship[/SIZE][/FONT] Chiefly British Used as a form of address for magistrates, mayors, and certain other dignitaries: [SIZE=+0]Your Worship.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]VERB: [/SIZE]
[FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]wor·shiped[/SIZE][/FONT] or [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]wor·shipped[/SIZE][/FONT] , [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]wor·ship·ing[/SIZE][/FONT] or [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]wor·ship·ping[/SIZE][/FONT] , [FONT=arial,sans-serif][SIZE=-1]wor·ships[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=-1]VERB: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]tr. [/SIZE]

1. To honor and love as a deity.
2. To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion. See Synonyms at revere 1.

[SIZE=-1]VERB: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]intr. [/SIZE]

1. To participate in religious rites of worship.
2. To perform an act of worship.

 

[blackout]

Many UUs think that UUs is about having the space to find their own spiritualilty, in which case UV and UU would not be incompatible. I (and other UUs) feel that many UUs have over-emphasized individualism in recent years, and that UU is NOT about individual spirituality; it's about community. That's why we work on social justice. That's why we are covenental instead of credal.

Well I have certainly ALREADY found my own spirituality.
I'm just thinking of "joining" UU to meet OTHERS
who have also already found their own personal spirituality
(or are in the process of seeking).

I guess:cover: you could see it as two sides of the same coin,
but what good is loving your neighbor as yourSelf...
if you do not yet love (know how to love) your SELF.
A community is a coming together of individuals,
and the community is only as wonder-filled and power filled and Deified
as the individuals that comprise it.

My answer to "social justice" is the empowerment of the individual.
A society of Self REALized individuals
each living out their own personal highest potential
will not feel the need to "pirate" and "control" others.
I cannot do anything about our corrupeted systems,
the elite running the show, etc etc
nor do I have any personal calling to do so.
My calling is in the raising up of the individuals around me.
Certainly we do not... and WILL not ...
ALL feel in-spired to take the very same paths in getting where we are going.
I do not see this as a problem...
but instead an integral part of the Glory of the Individual
in REALizing a more glorious Whole.

You could see the chalice as the "Spirit filled cup"
of the individual.
The "community" will then take on the "cast"
of the interplay of each unique burning (flame)...
the personal passions of each individual there.

Friends (community) also can refil our oil when we're running low.
When we're "burnt out".
True *Spirits* are not a limited commodity after all.

I could really use some friends here...
in my "real life".

Oh yes...
and I myself am not much for either convention or creed.

Don't know if this will make me unable to participate in UU or not.

I call it worship because (at least in my congregation) it is worship. It's recognition of something larger than ourselves, and rejoicing in our togetherness.

So for you lilithu, Worship is recognition of something larger than ourSelves.
Also rejoicing in togetherness.

I suppose there are as many definitions of "worship"
as there are definitions of "gOd".

fair enough.

If each of us are are in our own spiritual "zones", what is the point of coming together? I can do that in my own home

Well I don't know honey. I've never been to your church.

That's why I'm askin'.

 

[blackout]

Thank you all for having so graciously allowed me this space in your personal forum.

:rainbow1:

 

[J Bryson]

No worries.

All that I've found to be a prerequisite for being in a UU church is a respect for the spiritual paths of others, a willingness to explore your own, a concern for social justice, and a general ability to acknowledge the inherent worth and dignity of others whether in loving companionship or fierce debate.

 

[lilithu]

I could really use some friends here...
in my "real life".

I tend to treat the forums as a place for intellectual discussion. So if I feel someone is placing too much emphasis on the individual, for example, I will advocate for a more communal framework. But ultimately, religion is about relationships, not concepts and frameworks. (Heck, community is about relationships. ) So it boils down to this: if you want us, we are here for you.

Everyone could really use some friends.