Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Holiday Celebrations

Water Ceremony
When we return to the two service schedule in the fall, the first service includes the Water Ceremony.  Each person brings a small amount of water, which represents the places we have been through the summer.  We pour our waters together, as we gather in community.  This ritual is becoming common in our denomination.

Thanksgiving Dinner Potluck
On Thanksgiving afternoon, members, friends and their guests gather in the Fierside Room to share the traditional meal together.  Turkey and mashed potatoes are cooked at church, and the side dishes and deserts are supplied by those attending.  Contacts: Flo Hass and Marilyn Stoddard

Winter Solstice Celebration
In the dark of December, near the solar solstice, we turn toward earth-centered traditions, acknowledging that the darkness of the sky may reflect darkness in our souls.  Yet also with the hope that this is the deepest dark, and light will follow.

Christmas Eve
We celebrate the traditional Christian holiday with song and story, singing the traditional carols and finding meaning in the birth of Jesus for our lives today.  

Passover Seder Potluck
We celebrate the traditional Jewish ceremony of Passover in April with an all-church dinner. Members prepare the ritual foods and read the traditional story. Contact: Susan Plass

Easter
Each year on Easter Sunday, we celebrate the renewal of the earth and of ourselves.

Flower Communion
The first occurance of this ceremony was in Romainia following World War II. The Unitarian Church in ?? had survived the war, and ?/ ??, the minister asked people to go gather flowers and bring them to decorate the church. Each person brings a flower, and takes one brought by another.