Flower Communion: Defending Diversity

Sunday Service, 20 July 2025

Led by Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

Musical Prelude: All Things Bright and Beautiful – Rutter (performed by our Quartet of Singers – Lucy Elston-Panter, Margaret Marshall, Benjie del Rosario, Edwin Dizer – and Andrew Robinson)  

Opening Words: ‘Blessed Are We’ by Andrea Hawkins-Kamper (adapted)

Blessed are we who gather with open hearts, together, in this space, today.

Blessed are we: the chalice-lighters of resistance, justice, love, and faith.

Blessed are we: the heretics, the outcasts,

the disruptors and provocateurs, the walkers of our own way.

Blessed are we: the border-crossers, the refugees,

the immigrants, the poor, the wanderers who are not lost.

Blessed are we: the transgressors, the trespassers,

the passers-by, the cause-takers, the defiant, the compliant.

Blessed are we: the hand-extenders, the sign-makers, the protestors, the protectors.

Blessed are we: the people of diverse identities;

all ages, genders, and abilities; of multiple heritages.

Blessed are we: the friend, the stranger, the lonely, the hidden, the visible, the authentic.

Blessed are we who rise in solidarity, blessed are we who cannot, blessed are we who do not.

Blessed are we, for this is our Beloved Community, and this is who we are. (pause)  

Words of Welcome and Introduction: 

These words from Andrea Hawkins-Kamper welcome all who have gathered this morning for our Sunday service. Welcome to those who have gathered in-person at Essex Church, to all who are joining us via Zoom, and anyone tuning in at a later date via YouTube or the podcast.  For anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m Jane Blackall, and I’m minister with Kensington Unitarians.

This morning’s service is our annual flower communion – a uniquely Unitarian tradition which celebrates our human diversity – and also the give and take that is required to live in community – the vital importance of contributing according to our abilities and receiving according to our needs. Norbert Čapek, the Czech Unitarian minister who first devised the flower communion 102 years ago, describe this uniquely Unitarian ritual as ‘a new experiment in symbolizing our liberty and unity... in which participants confess that we accept each other as brothers and sisters without regard to class, race, or other distinction, acknowledging everybody as our friend who... wants to be good.’

I’ve given today’s service the title ‘Defending Diversity’. I worry sometimes we might be tempted to think of the flower communion as a nice, light, pretty occasion – but its meaning and its origins are much more radical and political than that – Norbert Čapek’s own story is inextricably linked to anti-fascist resistance in his own time (we’ll hear more of that later). Diversity has been a key principle, perhaps almost a buzzword, among Unitarians for a long, long, time – we often speak of celebrating diversity – but now we find ourselves in times where diversity is distinctly under threat. Increasingly, those who don’t conform to some very narrow ideas of ‘normality’, or who don’t fit the profile of the ‘default human’ (i.e. white, straight, male, cisgendered, able-bodied, neurotypical, wealthy, etc.), find themselves targets – abused, marginalised, oppressed, to varying degrees – so our readings today are intended as a reminder that we are called not just to celebrate diversity but also to defend it.

Chalice Lighting: ‘Cherishing Our Differences’ by Cindy Fesgen 

Let’s light our chalice flame now, as we do each week. It’s a moment for us to stop and take a breath, settle ourselves down, put aside any preoccupations we came in carrying. This simple ritual connects us in solidarity with Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists the world over, and reminds us of the proud and historic progressive religious tradition of which this gathering is part.

(light chalice) 

We are all capable

In different ways

With various strengths and talents.

We are all holy

Part of the universe

And the interdependent web.

We light this chalice

Cherishing our differences

And holding each other in sacredness.

Hymn 13 (purple): ‘Bring Flowers to Our Altar’

Our first hymn this morning is number 13 in your purple books, ‘Bring Flowers to Our Altar’. For those on zoom the words will be up on screen. Feel free to stand or sit as you prefer.

Bring flowers to our altar to show nature’s beauty,

the harvest of goodness in earth, sky and sea.

Bring light to our altar to guide every nation

from hatred to love and to humanity.

Bring a dove to our altar its wings ever flying

in permanent quest for the peace all may share.

Bring bread to our altar the hungry supplying

and feeding the poor who depend on our care.

Bring hope to our altar in your gentle dreaming

of all the good things that will make your heart glad.

Bring love to our altar, a bright witness beaming

to all who are burdened, or lonely or sad.

Bring work to our altar to help every nation

and celebrate all that’s already achieved.

Come yourself to our altar in true dedication

to all the ideals we in common believe.

Candles of Joy and Concern: 

Each week when we gather together, we share a simple ritual of candles of joy and concern, an opportunity to light a candle and share something that is in our heart with the community. So we’ve an opportunity now, for anyone who would like to do so, to light a candle and say a few words about what it represents. We’ll go to the people in the building first, then to Zoom.

So I invite some of you here in person to come and light a candle and then if you wish to tell us who or what you light your candle for – please keep it brief – be considerate of others. I’m going to ask you to come to the lectern to speak, as we want people to be able to hear you. 

(in person candles)

And if that’s everyone in the room we’ll go over to the people on Zoom next – you might like to switch to gallery view at this stage – just unmute yourselves when you are ready and speak out – and we should be able to hear you and see you up on the big screen here in the church.

(zoom candles)

And I’m going to light one more candle, as we often do, to represent all those joys and concerns that we hold in our hearts this day, but which we don’t feel able to speak out loud. (light candle)

Time of Prayer & Reflection: based on words by John Saxon

Let’s take those joys and concerns into an extended time of prayer. This prayer is based on some words by John Saxon.  You might want to adjust your position for comfort, close your eyes, or soften your gaze. There might be a posture that helps you feel more prayerful. Whatever works for you. Do whatever you need to do to get into the right state of body and mind for us to pray together – to be fully present here and now, in this sacred time and space – with ourselves, with each other, and with that which is both within us and beyond us. (pause)

Spirit of Life, God of All Love, in whom we live and move and have our being,

   we turn our full attention to you, the light within and without,

      as we tune in to the depths of this life, and the greater wisdom

         to which – and through which – we are all intimately connected.

      Be with us now as we allow ourselves to drop into the

         silence and stillness at the very centre of our being. (pause)

Our minds fail us when we ponder the enormity, diversity,

complexity, wonder, and beauty of the universe and this world.

And yet we sense that our lives are part of a larger Life,

that we are indeed connected with everyone and everything

in one interdependent web of being, and that there is something,

both immanent and transcendent, that nurtures and sustains our lives and Life itself:

something that calls us and all life to greater wholeness and harmony. (pause) 

We give thanks this morning for all of the gifts and blessings of life:

for this day, for the beauty and wonder and mystery of creation,

for our families and friends, for health and work,

for opportunities to learn and love and grow,

for the care and support of others in times of illness or despair.

But we remember, too, that others – our human kin –

here in this gathering, across the nation, and around the world,

live in poverty, hunger, fear, illness, isolation, violence, and insecurity;

so many are ground down by systems of injustice and oppression,

or are caught up in the chaos and confusion not of their making.

In the silence of this gathering and in the silence of our hearts,

may we hear the call to a wider perspective and a deeper resolve.  

May we live with greater compassion and care for ourselves, others, and creation.

May we touch each other more deeply, hear each other more clearly,

and see each other’s joys and sorrows as our own.

May we strive to be and become more than we are:

more loving, more forgiving, more kind, more honest,

more authentic, more open, more connected, more whole.

And yet, paradoxically perhaps, may we accept ourselves,

just as we are in this moment, and know that we are enough.

May we reconnect with our highest purpose. May we heal and be healed.

May we face the uncertainties and tragedies of life

with hope, faith, and courage, knowing that

Life is good and that we are not alone. (pause)

And in a good few moments of shared silence and stillness now,

may we speak inwardly some of those deepest prayers of our hearts —

the joys and sorrows we came in carrying –

in our own lives and the lives of the wider world.

Let us each lift up whatever is on our heart this day,

and ask for what we most need. (long pause)  

Spirit of Life – God of all Love – as this time of prayer comes to a close, we offer up

   our joys and concerns, our hopes and fears, our beauty and brokenness,

      and we call on you for insight, healing, and renewal.

As we look forward now to the coming week,

     help us to live well each day and be our best selves;

     using our unique gifts in the service of love, justice and peace. Amen.

In-Person Reading: ‘The Flowers that we Bring’ by Sarah Movius Schurr (adapted) (read by Pat)

These flowers that we bring and share,

They come in many shades and colours.

They come in many sizes and shapes.

They carry different scents.

Yet all were created by the same miracle.

The miracle, that these blossoms grow every year

Out of the divine mixing of water, soil, and sunshine.

And let us not forget: our lives are miracles as well.

Despite all the trials and disappointments we may face,

We come together every year to celebrate Flower Communion.

To be reminded that all of us have value

And all have a place in the beauty of the world.

To be reminded that where we came from

Is not as important as the fact that we are here now.

To be reminded that all are truly welcome,

And all may receive at the table of this church.

We all come to be a part of something greater than ourselves. 

So may we each gladly and boldly play our part

in the flourishing of this world we share.

Hymn (on sheet): ‘When We Are Kind’

Thanks Pat. Let’s sing again – our second hymn is on your hymn sheet – ‘When We Are Kind’. It’s sung to a traditional tune (‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’) so I think we’ll be OK.

When we are kind to one and all,

And plant compassion's seeds,

We grow a garden, strong and tall

With beauty that keeps hearts in thrall,

Love rising from our deeds.

Love rising from our deeds.

We flourish in the things we do

For others on the way,

Sweet virtue's scent and kinship's hue

Are found amidst the morning dew

That casts all fears away.

That casts all fears away.

Community is only fair

If we can make it so,

With every act, our hands prepare

The soil of right and tender care

Where faith in good can grow.

Where faith in good can grow.

If you'll be human nature's friend,

Then friendship shall ye reap,

The least of all the hearts you tend

Will all great temples' truths transcend

And make the spirit leap.

And make the spirit leap.

In-Person Reading: ‘A Short History of Flower Communion’ by Evan Keely (adapted) (read by Patricia)

This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Religious Society of Czech Unitarians. Its first minister, the Rev. Dr. Norbert Čapek, created a ritual that is celebrated by Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists all over the world to this day: Flower Communion. Čapek described the ceremony in a 1923 letter to Samuel Atkins Eliot II, president of the American Unitarian Association:

‘We have made a new experiment in symbolizing our Liberty and Brotherhood in a service which was so powerful and impressive that I never experienced anything like it… On that very Sunday… everybody was supposed to bring with him a flower. In the middle of the big hall was a suitable table with a big vase where everybody put his flower… in my sermon I put emphasis on the individual character of each “member-flower,” on our liberty as a foundation of our fellowship. Then I emphasized our common cause, our belonging together as one spiritual community… And when they go home, each is to take one flower just as it comes without making any distinction where it came from and whom it represents, to confess that we accept each other as brothers and sisters without regard to class, race, or other distinction, acknowledging everybody as our friend who is a human and wants to be good.’

The marvellous natural beauty of the flowers that are brought to these ceremonies is certainly inspiring, but it is of the utmost importance that we continue to learn the broader and deeper lesson this rite teaches. The idea that we should accept one another, with all our differences, and that we should even celebrate one another’s uniqueness, is a radical notion in any age, but in Europe in the 1920s it was downright dangerous; it became ever more so, of course, in the decades that followed, especially as Czechoslovakia found itself among the first nations to succumb to the opportunistic infection that was Nazism. The Nazis, of course, represent the polar opposite of Čapek’s ideals. Flower Communion is a defiant No! in the face of the brutal racism of Hitler and of the fascists’ craving to erect towering, horrific empires upon pediments of subjugation and terror, and it is a joyous Yes! to diversity, equality, and liberty.

As Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists all over the world celebrate Flower Communion, as so many of us do at this season of the year, we do well to consider what it is that we are saying No! to, and where our joyous Yes! is. Do we continue to defy the forces of intolerance that seek to deny equal rights to all; which persecute minority groups, and make scapegoats of ‘outsiders’, in order to ‘divide and conquer’? Do we stand together clutching bouquets of righteousness and justice in our hearts as we persevere in demanding compassion for immigrants, for labourers, and for the poor? Do we say Yes! to a future for our planet in which we will coexist with all life harmoniously?

Arrested by the Nazis for the “crime” of listening to foreign radio broadcasts, Čapek spent fourteen weeks at Dachau before being martyred in October of 1942 in a Nazi gas chamber. He is remembered around the world for how he died, but more so for what died for — and what he lived for.

Offering and Blessing of the Flowers

Thanks Patricia. Now that we’ve heard about the origins and the meaning of the flower communion it’s time for us to enact the ritual once again. Hopefully everyone who’s in the church will have either brought a flower from home or picked one up from the table on your way in. And in a moment I will invite you to silently come up and add the flower you have chosen to our common vase. The flower you offer represents you in all your uniqueness – the particular bundle of gifts and needs that you bring to this community and to the world – at the very end of the service you’ll be invited to choose a different flower to take away with you. As Norbert Čapek put it: ‘each is to take one flower just as it comes without making any distinction where it came from and whom it represents, to confess that we accept each other as brothers and sisters without regard to class, race, or other distinction, acknowledging everybody as our friend who is a human and wants to be good.’

So let us proceed in a prayerful spirit, and as Andrew plays some gentle music for us, I invite you to come up and silently, reverently, place your flower into this vase. If you’re online and you have a flower, or a picture of a flower, please hold it up while the music is playing (and if you don’t have one write the flower you would have brought in the chat). And when the flowers are all gathered in I will offer some words of consecration from Norbert Čapek himself to take us into a time of meditation.

(people to come up and put their flowers in vase while Andrew plays a hymn tune)

So we move into a time of meditation with some words to bless the flowers from Norbert Čapek. Those words will lead us into three minutes of silence which will end with the sound of a bell. And in the time of silence I invite you to focus on the flowers as a symbol of our unity in diversity.

Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessing on these, thy messengers of fellowship and love.

May they remind us, amid diversities of knowledge and of gifts,

to be one in desire and affection, and devotion to thy holy will.

May they also remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike.

May we cherish friendship as one of thy most precious gifts.

May we not let awareness of another's talents discourage us,

or sully our relationship, but may we realize that, whatever we can do,

great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world. 

Period of Silence and Stillness (~3 minutes) – end with a bell  

Interlude: Silent Noon – Ralph Vaughan Williams (performed by our Quartet of Singers – Lucy, Margaret, Benjie, Edwin – and Andrew Robinson) 

In-Person Reading: ‘Vocabulary Lesson’ by Sean Parker Dennison (read by Jane)

For Theresa

The first word was unfungible.

You said, “you are irreplaceable.”

There is no one like you.

No one can be

substituted, exchanged.

Every one is needed,

everyone required

for survival, for beauty.

I learned this new vocabulary

by art: an image of

a gear and a flower,

side by side, both shining

in moonlight, silver shapes

of the same size:

one with teeth, the other

with scented, tender flesh.

I witnessed and believed,

but it seems even here

among the faithful,

no one understands the word

or the message.

Mouths of metal

call me by every name

but my own.

In this world

there is little love

for the flower growing outside

the straight row, away from the trellis;

few who understand

and cherish beauty unfettered,

referencing nothing but itself

wholly wild, holy, free.

You taught me

to love, especially, whatever is

unafraid, incomparable,

unwilling to conform, to imitate, to comply.

You taught me

the vocabulary of liberation,

a boundless liturgy,

altar full of flowers.

In-Person Reading: ‘What the Clamouring’s For’ by Tracey Robinson-Harris and bell hooks (adapted) (read by David)

In conversations about the initiative for greater diversity, our commitment to become more inclusive, one of the questions that often arises is, ‘What do we want diversity for? What is our motivation?’

Perhaps it is guilt. Guilt over the injustices of racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism. A commitment to diversity would ‘make me feel better,’ that is, less guilty. Perhaps it is a sense of responsibility.  A sense of responsibility to deal with my prejudices and somehow participate in bringing greater justice. A commitment to diversity would hold us responsible, make us do the right thing. Perhaps it is that nagging call to seek wholeness. Given the partiality of all points of view; given the diversity of truth; given our calling to live our lives religiously…given these a commitment to diversity is nothing more or less than honouring the call to seek wholeness—in my life and in our collective life.

bell hooks asks the question this way — what is all this clamouring after difference? And she answers:

…all the clamouring is about seeking wholeness. Guilt leads to angry denial and inaction. Responsibility leads to grudging good works. The call to seek wholeness has room for acknowledging feelings of guilt (and anger, frustration,) room for accepting appropriate responsibility and plenty of room for moving toward personal and communal transformation.

…all the clamouring is for each person, each perspective, each truth to be granted sufficient respect so that we truly listen to those ideas and allow ourselves to be truly challenged by them.

…all the clamouring is for us to recognize that our lives are intertwined, so intertwined, that each is accountable to the other. Each particular story or truth calls us to accountability, calls me to accountability for my life, my limits, my individual and our collective transformation…

…all the clamouring is for truth—I need you—I need you, who you are, the experiences and perspective you bring, so that I may know truth beyond my partial truth.

…all the clamouring is for justice—We need each other, and what we can all do together for justice.

So may we continue to seek wholeness, and defend diversity, for the greater good of all. Amen.

Hymn 32 (purple): ‘Earth Was Given as a Garden’

Thanks David. Let’s sing one last time. Our final hymn is number 32: ‘Earth was Given as a Garden’.  

Earth was given as a garden,

cradle for humanity;

tree of life and tree of knowledge

placed for our discovery.

Here was home for all your creatures

born of land and sky and sea;

all created in your image,

all to live in harmony.

Show to us again the garden

where all life flows fresh and free.

Gently guide your sons and daughters

into full maturity.

Teach us how to trust each other,

how to use for good our power,

how to touch the earth with reverence.

Then once more will Eden flower.

Bless the earth and all your children.

One creation, make us whole,

interwoven, all connected,

planet wide and inmost soul.

Holy mother, life bestowing,

bid our waste and warfare cease.

Fill us all with grace o'erflowing.

Teach us how to live in peace.

Announcements:

Thanks to Ramona for hosting and Jeannene for co-hosting. Thanks to our quartet – Lucy, Margaret, Benjie and Edwin – and to Andrew for lovely music today. Thanks to Pat, Patricia, and David for reading. Thanks to Marianne for greeting and Liz for making coffee. If you are here in-person – we’ve got apple and sultana cake today – it’s an old favourite. 

Once you’ve had your tea and cake come back into the church for Margaret’s singing at 12.30.

Just to let you know – we’ve decided to call off the ‘Crafternoon’ this month – the consensus was that we haven’t got enough regulars around for it to be viable and we’ll restart in September.

Tonight and Friday at 7pm we’ve got our ‘Heart and Soul’ online contemplative spiritual gathering – this week we’re considering ‘Confidence’ – email me if you want to join us and I’ll share the link. We’re also having an in-person Heart and Soul on Wednesday – please let me know if you’re coming.

This month’s Better World Book Club is on ‘The Amen Effect’ by Rabbi Sharon Brous – you’ve just got a week to read that – it’s a good read so I encourage you to join us.  All the titles for the rest of the year have now been announced so please take a flyer if you want all the information.

Next Sunday we’ll be back at 11am as usual when our service will be on ‘Transforming Faith’.

Details of all our various activities are printed on the back of the order of service, for you to take away, and also in the Friday email.  Or if you haven’t already got one why not take home a copy of our summer newsletter? Or you could take a copy for a friend – please help us spread the word.

The congregation very much has a life beyond Sunday mornings; we encourage you to keep in touch, look out for each other, and do what you can to nurture supportive connections.

Just time for our closing words and closing music now.  And at the end of the closing music I invite you to come up and choose a flower to take away with you (if you’re online let us know which flower you would choose and tell us about it in the chat).

Benediction: based on words by William Sinkford

These flowers we have shared are

signs of creation's profound beauty,

diverse and unique, but related and interdependent.

They come to us as gifts from we know not where,

and we, in turn, have brought them

to our common altar, as gifts to one another.

May they remind us of the grace we have known in this community:

Forgiveness we have been granted, and provided.

Love, unearned and freely shared.

Recovery, begun and established.

Generosity, unforeseen and most sacred.

And may they inspire us now, and in days to come:

To seek, to notice, to embrace and, to re-create beauty.

To give unto the world as exuberantly as these lovely flowers.

May the meaning and message of Flower Communion be alive in our hearts,

as we leave this gathering, inviting us to be faithful partners

in the creation of beloved community, and guiding us

towards right relationship with all of our neighbours, near and far.

May it be so, for the greater good of all. Amen.

Closing Music: Country Gardens – Grainger (performed by our Quartet of Singers – Lucy, Margaret, Benjie, Edwin –  and Andrew Robinson) 

Rev. Dr. Jane Blackall

20th June 2025