Our Chalice
Early in San Gabriel’s history as a congregation we rented space to hold our worship services on Sunday
mornings. These rented spaces did not allow for an open flame, so a talented member, Pete Geiger, crafted a beautiful stained-glass lamp with the image of a chalice on it as a substitute. When the congregation was able to purchase our current building, health and safety concerns regarding the use of open flames guided an informal decision to keep the stained-glass lamp as our chalice, rather than transition to one with a live flame. Most Unitarian Universalist congregations light a live flame chalice as a centering moment within their worship services as it is the central symbol of our faith. Both Rev Yandle and I feel that San Gabriel’s services would be enhanced and enriched if we adopted the practice of lighting a live flame chalice as well.
Recently board Vice President Keith Hutchinson convened a meeting between myself and several members who have health and safety concerns regarding the use of open flames. I want to thank them for their open-mindedness and willingness to hear why Rev Yandle and I feel the transition to a live flame chalice is an important one to make. I’m happy to report that we were able to come to an understanding and that our new chalice will be presented during services on November 26 th . Pete’s beautiful lamp, special to so many at San Gabriel, will also retain a place of honor on the chancel. With the use of a live flame chalice, necessary precautions will be taken including updated training for worship and lay leaders and the purchase of a fire blanket to be kept in the pulpit. Best practices for fire safety will also be incorporated into our Safer Congregations Policy.
I look forward to continuing to work with church leadership on making our worship services engaging and meaningful for all. If you would like to be among the first to come forward to light our new chalice, please let me know! The special moment of lighting the chalice is just one more way to involve everyone in the creation of our sacred time together on Sunday mornings.
In faith and community,
Corinna Whiteaker-Lewis
Director of Religious Education