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Chalice Lighting about UUSC
This chalice we light this morning, a symbol of Unitarian
Universalism, was designed in 1941 by Austrian artist Hans Deutsch
for the Unitarian Service Committee, which was working to assist
refugees in war-torn Europe at the time. The Service Committee was
an unknown organization in 1941. Deutsch created this symbol to be
used to make documents look official, to give importance to them and
to symbolize the spirit of the work. Thus, Hans Deutsch made his
lasting contribution to the Service Committee and, as it turned out,
to Unitarian Universalism.
Chalices and cups can be found worldwide on ancient manuscripts and
altars. It is a symbol of sharing, partnership, generosity and
openness. Fires and sacrificial flames have been a central figure
for the world's oldest scriptures. It can symbolize witness,
sacrifice, testing, courage and illumination.
Deutsch wrote of the early Service Committee, "There is something
that urges me to tell you… how much I admire your utter self-denial
[and] readiness to serve, to sacrifice... and to help, help, help."
Call to worship to use with Guest
Leader: We gather together in thanksgiving…
People: We are grateful for who we are and what we have
received.
Leader: We gather together in aspiration…
People: We hope for a better life for ourselves and for
others.
Leader: We gather together in commitment…
People: We will build a world that is better than the one we
have received.
Varying Guest at Your Table
speakers
Make sure your minister gives weight to Guest at Your Table and UUSC
from the pulpit.
Have different people make announcements about Guest, and about why
UUSC is important to them.
Have 15- and 16-year-olds read about UUSC during their
service (affirmation).
Story for Children of All Ages
The following original Story for Children of All Ages was presented
by Rev. Joan Armstrong at the Northwest UU Congregation, Atlanta,
GA, on January 21, 2007. Children were sitting with parents in
sanctuary. Props: Large, heavy glass water jug & GAYT collection
box, UUSC Membership envelope.
How many of you know about “Guest at Your Table?” (show box)
How many of you took home a box like this in November or December?
How many … put some money in the box… and returned it?
Now I have a question for some of the younger ones here. What do
you think we do with that money? – lots of responses.
Ok.
I have a story for you.
But first. One more question. How many of you go to school? How
many wish they didn’t have to go to school?
Now, the story.
The story I have is about a 14 year old girl named Jamilla. Jamilla
and her family live in a region of the Sudan where some children
don’t get to go to school because all must work to support the
family. Jamilla has a brother, Kakru who is 12 and a sister Sul-lee
who is 8. Kakru and Su-lee go to school, but Jamilla must stay at
home and help the family.
What do you think she has to do to help the family? What kind of
work would a 14 year old do? What would you guess?
Well, where Jamilla lives someone from the family must go into the
village twice a day to fetch water. The village is about three
miles away that doesn’t sound so hard does it?
She carries a jug like this. Would any – one - of you like to try
to lift this? Would you put that (over near the door) for me? ---
[To the child who carried the jug.] What do you think? Could you
hoist that on your shoulder and carry it three miles? One way?
Twice a day?
How heavy do you think it would be when it is full of water?
[Dismay.They get the point!]
Across war torn Sudan and in many other parts of Africa children do
not have a much of a childhood. In Africa and in other parts of the
world the UUSC is at work with project partners bringing dignity and
hope to the lives of many – particularly women and children. And
this is why we support the UUSC through supporting the Guest at Your
Table program and by becoming members.
