Lessons from Chalice Camp

Listen to the sermon by clicking the play button above.

Rev. Chris Jimmerson and Kelly Stokes with Chalice Campers
June 9, 2024
First UU Church of Austin
4700 Grover Ave., Austin, TX 78756
www.austinuu.org

This week we hosted Chalice Camp, a summer day camp exploring UU history, theology, values, and traditions. During worship this Sunday, the campers and counselors will be sharing some of the songs and stories from camp. Join us for this youthful – and very joyful – worship service.

Chalice Lighting

We are Unitarian Universalists,
now we light our chalice.
We are the church of the open minds,
we are the church of the listening ears,
we are the church of the loving hearts
and helping hands.

Call to Worship

It’s a blessing each one of us was born.
It matters what we do with our lives.

What each of us knows about god is a piece of the truth.
We don’t have to do it alone.

– Sheri Prud’homme and Laila Ibrahim.

Affirming Our Mission

Together we nourish souls, transform lives, and do justice to build the Beloved Community.

Reading

LET THIS BE A HOUSE OF PEACE
by Jim Scott

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Let this be a house of peace,
Of nature and humanity,
of sorrow and elation,
Let this be our house,
A haven for the healing,
An open room for question,
and our inspiration.

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Let this be a house of freedom;
Guardian of dignity
and worth held deep inside us,
Let this be our house,
A platform for the free voice,
Where all our sacred differences
here shall not divide us.

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Let all in this house seek truth,
Where scientists and mystics,
abide in reverence here,
Let this be our house,
A house of our creation,
Where works of art and melodies
consecrate the atmosphere.

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Let this be a house of prophecy,
May vision, for our children
Be our common theme.
Let this be our house
Of myth and lore and legend,
Our trove of ancient story,
and cradle of most tender dreams.

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Let this be a house of peace.
Let this be our house of peace.

Sermon

Every day this week, the counselors acted out a play for the campers about our UU history. Today we are sharing two of these. In these stories, we see how UU’s in the past have helped others.

On Tuesday, we talked about how it matters what we do, and we sang this chant.

We’re UUs and we’re here to say,
we’re making a difference in many ways;
some are big and some are small,
but they make a difference
for one and all.

CHALICE CAMP THEATER

SCENE 1: Classroom

NARRATOR: You see before you a classroom at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Anywhere. The teacher and children have just finished lighting the chalice when Miguel asks a question.

MIGUEL: So now do we get to learn how Unitarians and Universalists became one church?

NARRATOR: Not yet. We have another tale to learn. This one is about the chalice. For this we must go back to the 1940’s during World War II.

STORY OF OUR THE FLAMING CHALICE

SCENE 2: Nazi Border

NARRATOR: You see before you a group of Jewish refugees escaping from Eastern Europe due to the Nazi occupation. They come upon a border patrol.

GUARDS: Stop. You may not cross unless you have papers.

REFUGEES: We are going to Lisbon. Here are our papers.

GUARD 1: What is this?

REFUGEE 1: These are papers from the Unitarian Service Committee in America. They are expecting us.

GUARD 1: (speaking to Guard 2) I’ve never seen this seal before, but it looks official.

GUARD 2: Yes, let them through.

GUARD 1: You may pass.

NARRATOR: The refugees went on to Lisbon where they were helped by the Unitarian Service Committee.

UNITARIANS AND UNIVERSALISTS WORK TOGETHER AND UNITE

A few years later, after the war was over, people in Europe did not have enough food, blankets or clothing. The Unitarian Service Committee worked to send supplies from the United States to people in Europe.

Members of Unitarian and Universalist churches packed up goods such as food, blankets and medicine to be sent to Europe. Like this Universalist family from Maine:

SCENE 3: Universalist family home

CHILD: What are you doing?

PARENT: Packing up a box of goods to be sent to Europe. The people there need food, blankets and medicine .

CHILD: But the war is over.

PARENT: It will be awhile before the people there have all that they need.

CHILD: How will it get there?

PARENT: It will be sent by the USC – the Unitarian Service Committee.

CHILD: But aren’t we Universalists, not Unitarians?

PARENT: Our two churches are working together on this project. We have a lot in common with the Unitarians. Here, Becky, help me draw this symbol – it’s called a Flaming Chalice.

CHILD: Why are we drawing this on there?

PARENT: That’s the symbol of the Unitarian Service Committee. They used it during the war on documents which helped refugees leave Europe. When they see the symbol they will know this box contains help.

SCENE 4: (Back to the classroom)

NARRATOR: Thank you guys. Good work on the play.

The Unitarians and Universalists realized that they had much in common. They decided to merge in 1961, becoming one church. Around that same time, the chalice started to be used in churches around the country and now throughout the world. Chalices don’t have to look a particular way. People make them out of clay or wood or metal. Even play-dough. I’ll bet you’ve made chalices in Religious Education.

CHORUS: (singing chalice lighting song)

We are Unitarian Universalists,
now we light our chalice.
We are the church of the open minds,
we are the church of the listening ears,
we are the church of the loving hearts
and helping hands.

NARRATOR: You got it. Now when you go home you can quiz your parents to see if they know the origins of the flaming chalice.

CIVIL RIGHTS LIBERATION MOVEMENTS

NARRATOR: We are going to transport ourselves to three different times that Unitarian Universalists fought for Civil Rights.

Womens’ Suffrage Movement

SCENE 4: (Protest Sign that says “How long must women wait for liberty?” goes up in the air.