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Reprinted with permission
Church of the Larger Fellowship
www.clfuu.org
Introduction:
"Passover and Easter are both celebrations which highlight the spring
season. How do Unitarian Universalists respond to these deeply significant
religious festivals? Some respond by turning with the secular culture
to flowers, eggs, lambs and bunnies--all ancient symbols of the renewal
of life, which is also a central message of Easter and Passover. The rich
layers of human custom and belief come together now, and as we draw our
living tradition from many sources, UUs may serve forth a generous slice
that includes all those layers." (From the "Introduction"
to the Spring Haggadah by Joan Goodwin; see site below)
Family activities:
Joan Goodwin created this family ritual, inspired by the Jewish Haggadah,
or "telling" of the Passover story during the Seder meal, to
bring all the stories together in a celebration for UU families.
http://www.uua.org/clf/betweensundays/middlechildhood/SpringHaggadah.html
This is no ordinary egg tree; it is a Unitarian Universalist egg tree.
An Intergenerational activity by Laura Cavicchio http://www.uua.org/clf/connections/2001spring/eggtree.html
Film Study:
Rent the film "Chocolat", directed by Lasse Hallström,
and spend an interesting time with this study guide by Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley.
"Chocolat is a journey through Lent and Easter in which a priestess
brings the wisdom of her ancient Earth-centered Mayan culture to redeem
the community and bring forth the full meaning of Easter as the rebirth
of life." http://www.uua.org/re/faithworks/fall02/curriculum/curriculuma.html
Worship:
This meditation, "Already Broken," by James Ishmael Ford, offers
a Buddhist perspective on the season of spring. http://www.uua.org/uubf/sermon3.htm
A spring prayer by Judy Quarles
http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/meditations/quarlesjl-prayer01.html
This springtime service and the meditation, "Walking between the
Worlds" is by Jerrie Hildebrand:
http://www.notelrac.com/whuups.dir/uuism.dir/salem_service.html#sermon
"The Rebirth, Waking Up and Arrival of Spring," a sermon by
Rev. Charles J. Stephens:
http://www.uua.org/clf/quest/2001-04.html#stephens
In closing, a benediction for a beautiful spring morning by Judy Welles:
(www.uua.org/worshipweb/closing/wellesj-bene01.html)
Let us go out now into the sun-washed light of the blossoming world.
May the inner light of our own being add its bright blessing to the dappled
days and enhance the glow of nightfall. Amen
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