UUCB Covenant of Right Relations

	Because Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal religion, the congregation adopted the following covenant as a model of how we want to be together.

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We covenant to build a religious community guided by love and sustained by respectful relationships.

Believing that building healthy relationships is a spiritual practice, we aim to listen appreciatively, speak with care, express gratitude, honor our differences, and assume good intentions.

We endeavor to communicate directly, honestly, and compassionately, particularly when we are in conflict.

When we hurt one another, we will try to make amends and reconnect in a spirit of love.

In celebration of the common purpose that unites us, we will do our best to abide by this covenant.

			

CHALICE CIRCLES

Unitarian Universalist
Church of Berkeley

Divergent Paths

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.

                  Max Lehrner

	

Opening/ Chalice Lighting
Philip Simmons 

Check-in

Reading
Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken
1920

Forming a Chalice Circle Covenant

	

I want to think about those moments when we stand at the edge, when we feel the presence of what has gone before, when we sense the onrushing promise – or threat – of things to come.  

Please provide a brief summary of how you are doing, and what you need to leave “at the door” to be fully present this evening.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,	
And sorry I could not travel both	
And be one traveler, long I stood	
And looked down one as far as I could	
To where it bent in the undergrowth;	        
 
Then took the other, as just as fair,	
And having perhaps the better claim,	
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;	
Though as for that the passing there	
Had worn them really about the same,	        
 
And both that morning equally lay	
In leaves no step had trodden black.	
Oh, I kept the first for another day!	
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,	
I doubted if I should ever come back.	        
 
I shall be telling this with a sigh	
Somewhere ages and ages hence:	
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—	
I took the one less traveled by,	
And that has made all the difference.	

Creating a Covenant.  Together we set the guidelines that will build a safe environment so that all the participants can feel comfortable to both share meaningful knowledge about themselves and listen attentively to the stories of others.		

Sitting in Silence/  Reflection

Sharing/ Deep Listening

Second Sharing
Contemplative Dialogue

Reading
T.S. Elliot
Hymnal
# 685

Closing/ Extinguishing the Chalice

Take a few moments to reflect on your life, particularly on how the paths you have chosen to take have shaped your life.

Allow each person 5 minutes to speak without interruption.

An opportunity to briefly share thoughts that were triggered by listening to the other's thoughts about their own experiences.

 
What we call a beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring 
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

Join hands or link arms as you read the closing words together.

We extinguish this chalice but not the memories of the stories we have heard from each other, and carry from this time together forward into our own lives.