Sunday, June 4
100th Anniversary Flower Ceremony
Worship Participants:
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Minister
Megan Griffin, Worship Associate
Pam Fodor, Director of Programs
Jamie Pastman, Piano
Celebration Singers, led by Julia Beckman
This Sunday, we will join Unitarian Universalist and Unitarian congregations around the world in celebrating the Flower Ceremony, developed in 1923 by Norbert Čapek of Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Flower Ceremony (sometimes referred to as Flower Communion or Flower Festival), is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation and minister bless the flowers, and they're redistributed. Each person brings home a different flower than the one they brought.
100th Anniversary Flower Ceremony
Worship Participants:
Rev. Dr. Beth Johnson, Minister
Megan Griffin, Worship Associate
Pam Fodor, Director of Programs
Jamie Pastman, Piano
Celebration Singers, led by Julia Beckman
This Sunday, we will join Unitarian Universalist and Unitarian congregations around the world in celebrating the Flower Ceremony, developed in 1923 by Norbert Čapek of Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Flower Ceremony (sometimes referred to as Flower Communion or Flower Festival), is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation and minister bless the flowers, and they're redistributed. Each person brings home a different flower than the one they brought.
Opening Music |
Jamie Pastman |
Welcome & Church Life |
Pam Fodor |
Land Acknowledgment |
Rev. Beth |
Opening Hymn |
"Your Bring an Aster," by Rev. Suzelle Lynch Celebration Singers and Congregation |
Call to Worship |
"Flowers Have the Gift of Language" by Rev. Richard Gilbert Rev. Beth/Pam Fodor/Megan Griffin |
Chalice Lighting |
Rev. Beth and Pam Fodor |
Musical Interlude |
"Čapek’s Journey," by Rev. Suzelle Lynch Joe Saintcross, vocals Jamie Pastman, piano |
Offertory/Offering Music |
Pam Fodor and Jamie Pastman |
Flower Communion Ceremony
Opening Hymn |
"In the Depths of My Soul," lyrics by Norbert Čapek, adapted to music by Rev. Suzelle Lynch Celebration Singers |
Story of the Flower Communion |
Rev. Beth |
Mother Spirit, Father Spirit/Beloved |
Celebration Singers |
Consecration of the Flowers |
Pam Fodor |
Sharing of the Flowers |
Congregation |
Flower Communion Prayer |
Written by Norbert Čapek Read by Rev. Beth |
Chalice Extinguishing |
Rev. Beth and Megan Griffin |
Closing Hymn |
"We Are One" |
Benediction/Closing Words |
Rev. Beth |
Closing Music |
"Mr. Blue Skies" Celebration Singers and Jamie Pastman |