We are frequently asked if Unitarian Universalists have “sacraments” as many other faiths do.  In keeping with our belief in the “prophethood of all believers” we do not have sacraments, per se, where a clergyperson acts as a conduit to a sacred experience.  We do, however, have several recurring rituals which are joyful celebrations of this community’s life together.

Mingling of the Waters

At the beginning of each program year in September, we gather in a single service for all ages and share a much-appreciated ritual that honors the diversity of experiences we have enjoyed in the preceding summer months.  Typically held outside in front of our beloved pond, each congregant who chooses brings a bit of water to this service representing their summer journey.  These small amounts of water are poured together into a single bowl and a portion of that mingled water is then added to the flowing water of our pond, symbolizing the beautiful and abundant ways our lives are intertwined.  The sharing is always both  meaningful and fun.   (Typical examples:   “This is water from the lake in front of my father’s cottage; we nearly lost him this summer to a heart attack.”  Or, “This is water from my backyard hose where we had lots of water fights.”)  We always leave this service with joy and gratitude for the beloved community that is ours.


Turning of the Year

At the first weekend of the New Year, it is our tradition to celebrate the major life-changing events of the previous year by lighting candles and naming those who experienced one of these major life transitions: 
Births/adoptions/foster children entering the home
Death of a loved one
Marriages/Unions/Commitment Ceremonies
Other significant transitions
We also note at this service the anniversaries of members who have crossed major anniversaries of membership 10 years, 15, 20, 25, etc.


Flower Communion
We hold an annual Flower Communion service each May.  This celebration was originated in 1923 by Dr. Norbert Capek, founder of the modern Unitarian movement in Czechoslovakia.   As they did in Prague, on the last weekend before the summer program schedule, we participate in this colorful ritual by exchanging flowers with one another, giving concrete expression to the humanity-affirming principles of our liberal faith.

We are also hallowing the memory of one of the martyrs of our faith.  When the Nazis took control of Prague in 1940, they found Dr. Capek's gospel of the inherent worth and beauty of every human person to be-as Nazi court records show-- "...too dangerous to the Reich [for him] to be allowed to live." Dr. Capek was sent to Dachau, where he was killed the next year during a Nazi "medical experiment." This gentle man suffered a cruel death, but his message of human hope and decency lives on through his Flower Communion, which is widely celebrated among Unitarian Universalists today. It is a noble and meaning-filled ritual, which helps us remember the principles and dreams for which he died.


Baby/Child Dedications

In our tradition, we do not typically baptize infants as that word is often understood.  There are two reasons for this:  1) we do not believe in original sin (believing rather in the original blessing of each new and precious life born among us) and 2) because we believe strongly in each person’s right and obligation to choose his or her spiritual path.

Instead, our ceremonies are generally designed around the concepts of joyfully naming and dedicating each child on his/her own unique path and asking for the commitment of the parents, sponsors/godparents, extended family and congregation for their pledge to be available to nurture and support this child's well-being and development through the years ahead.

In the dedication ceremony, which is generally included as a part of one of the weekend services, each child is blessed with four elements:  earth, wind, water and fire and the family is presented with a Certificate of Dedication.  This is a truly joyful rite of passage both for the family and the congregation as a whole.