Water Communion

[applewuud]

After a summer "off" (no services after mid-June), our church restarted services for the fall with a Water Communion service. People brought samples of water from somewhere meaningful over the summer and said where it was from while pouring it into a common bowl in front of the altar. It serves the same purpose as a school report on "what I did on my summer vacation", but also with a spiritual dimension. They used a closing reading from the UUA site that you might enjoy:

Kayle Rice
All Rivers Run to the Sea

It starts with a drop,
Then a trickle...
A burble, a rush of water, bubbling toward its destination;
And finally the wide, endless sea.

All rivers run to the sea.

Today you brought water
Poured it into a common bowl.
Though our experiences have differed,
These waters mingle, signifying our common humanity.

Today you came;
And shared in this sacred community.
May you depart this sacred space,
Hearts filled with hope for new beginnings;
A fresh start.

Go forth, but return to this community,
Where rivers of tears may be shed,
Where dry souls are watered,
Where your joy bubbles,
Where your life cup overflows,
Where deep in your spirit you have found in this place a home.

All rivers run to the sea.

Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.

Did anyone else's church season start with a water communion service?

 

[seeker57]

We had a water communion last week. I always enjoy it.

The difference is we never stop having services. From what I have seen, that is something done mostly in New England and the East Coast.

Peace,

Seeker

 

[applewuud]

It's unfortunate that so many UU churches are "off" in the summer, because that's when most people with children go "church shopping", particularly in August. Part of it is having old, un-airconditioned churches that are stifling in the summer, another part is that ministers need July and August off to recuperate and refresh themselves, and the churches here are too small to have associate ministers.

 

[lilithu]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/us/unitarians-shift-away-from-extended-time-off-in-summers.html

It's unfortunate that so many UU churches are "off" in the summer, because that's when most people with children go "church shopping", particularly in August. Part of it is having old, un-airconditioned churches that are stifling in the summer, another part is that ministers need July and August off to recuperate and refresh themselves, and the churches here are too small to have associate ministers.

 

[Storm]

Hey. Long time no see.