Happy Chalica!
Today is the last day of Chalica, a seven-day celebration of the principles that underlie the Unitarian Universalist movement, beginning on the first Monday in December. Like all holy-days, it was conceived by a person to meet a need; in this case is was a woman named Daylene Marshall from British Columbia, who a few years ago decided that a winter holiday to honor the UU principles would be a community-building and unifying thing. Chalica continues to grow grassroots-style, with people discovering and creating it every year. The general practice is to light a chalice (or candle) in one's home each day in honor of one principle, and to give gifts or take actions that further it. Part of its beauty for me is that, just as one needn't be a Christian to celebrate Christmas, you don't have to identify as a Unitarian Universalist to appreciate and celebrate these ideals! The seven principles are:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
**Read on for an exclusive Radio Ojai interview and hilarious video!**
Chalica continues to grow, and one of the things that attracts people seems to be the inherent focus away from consumerism and toward more meaningful expressions of humanity. Through the Chalica Event i created on the Facebook social network, i've learned of food and clothing donations, connections made between people formerly in conflict, and even families brought to closer union through a common, meaningful celebration.
Last year, with no official representation of the UU movement or of the local congregation whatsoever, i began writing a song. Here is its world premier:
Following the song's success and my excitement, i was honored by an invitation to the Radio Ojai studio to perform it and talk about my related pursuits! Fellow Ojai Post author Lisa Snider and i had a great conversation, with hints at a future appearance...
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Comments (5)
Hard to argue with logic like this.
Comment #1 Posted by: George Kalogridis | December 7, 2008 05:30 PM
i've just been informed that the video of my Chalica Song was also posted at UUPlanet.tv. too cool!
Comment #2 Posted by: evan austin | December 8, 2008 11:30 AM
I think this is a good holiday I am unitarian Universilist.
Comment #3 Posted by: Anonymous | December 16, 2009 01:49 PM
I think this is a good holiday I am unitarian Universilist.
Comment #4 Posted by: Anonymous | December 16, 2009 01:52 PM
I think this is a good holiday I am unitarian Universilist.
Comment #5 Posted by: Anonymous | December 16, 2009 01:54 PM