May 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Flower Communion is a UU celebration originated in 1923 by Rev. Norbert Capek, a Unitarian minister in Czechoslovakia. His wife Maja Capek, also a Unitarian minister, introduced it in 1940 at the Bedford Massachusetts Unitarian Church where she was serving at the time. The program will include information on the Capeks, the historical era of WWII and his acquaintance with Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp who are featured in the Ken Burns documentary, Defying the Nazis.
This ritual is not a historical reenactment, but an affirmation of our continuity with the generations of struggle for liberty. You are each asked to bring a flower to the Fellowship, from your gardens, field, or roadside. Upon entry, we will place these flowers in a vase. At the end of the service, each of you will take from the vase a different flower from the one you brought. This symbolized the uniqueness of each individual and the coming together in communion to share this uniqueness.
Presenters:
Mary Anderson has been a Unitarian Universalist for over 20 years and currently serves as President of the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship. Originally from Minnesota, she now resides in Daphne.
Mark Preston has been involved with Unitarian Universalism for two years and serves as FUF’s Second Vice Chair and Program Coordinator. Originally from New York, he now lives in Fairhope with his wife, Joanne.