Chalice lighting
Chalice lighting for Christmas
Every child is a miracle and a mystery
And in the one born at midnight
In the dark time of the year
We see all children leaping into the light
And as we light this flame
We honour the light in everyone,
the Christ in everyone,
the child in everyone.
Chalice lighting for Yule (Pagan festival of the winter solstice)
At the time when the day is shortest
And the Sun shows herself only briefly above the horizon
We light this flame of hope
To represent the solstice fire on the hilltop
That ancient people lit to remind the sun to return
And we honour the cycle of the seasons
As their tides are echoed in our own
Chalice lighting for Hannukah
As we recall the ancient miracle of Hannukah
With its nine days of holy oil
So we kindle our own holy light
And hope that its light will continue to shine in our hearts.
Chalice lighting for Diwali
Our chalice flame is one light among a myriad
A myriad lights for the festival of lights
Floating upon the dark waters of the river
and illuminating the depths of winter.
Chalice lighting for Samhain / All Souls
Many before us have sought the light of understanding
Heretics, witches, lovers of freedom
This chalice symbolises the communion of Jan Hus
and the lamp upon the altars of ancient Greece.
This flame represents the light of hope
kindled by the dreamers and visionaries of the past
which we must carry into the future.
Chalice lighting
We light this chalice as a symbol of our movement. Its flickering light symbolises our questions and our doubts. Its steady light our tentative personal answers. Its burning presence our love and fellowship.
Chalice lighting and welcome
Let this be a light of welcome, of hope and of joy.
You may have had a busy day-you are here
You may have had a quiet day-you are here
You may have had a difficult week-you are here
You may have faced challenges-you are here
You are here, bring joy or sadness.
Be calm in this moment.
May you find the
Gathering words
We gather together and, in lighting our chalice, we witness a flame of hope.
Whatever has been our personal pathway here today and where ever it takes us afterwards, whatever our beliefs, religious heritage, faith, certainty and doubt: we are all sisters and brothers in common humanity.
We join in this community seeking the best way