Chalica

Unitarian Universalist holiday in December

Chalica is a holiday celebrated by some Unitarian Universalists. It traditionally begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days,[1][2] though a seven-week variant beginning in January is also observed.[3]

## History[edit]

Chalica was created as a holiday in 2005 by Daylene Marshall.[4] While it has gained followers since, it is not a widely celebrated holiday.[5]

## Observance[edit]

On each of the seven nights (or weeks), a different principle of Unitarian Universalism is honored.[6] On each day, a chalice is ignited, the day's principle is read, and ways of honoring the principle are enacted, such as volunteering or donating to a social justice cause.[7][8] There is no rule for how the chalice or display should look, but there are traditionally seven candles around the chalice, one for each principle.[9] Activities on each day vary, and may include discussions, group activities, and songs.[10]

## Variations[edit]

To solve the problem of having only a single week in which to cram seven nonnominal deeds for the seven Unitarian Universalist principles, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green in Kentucky extends Chalica into a seven-week observance. Further, Chalica at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green starts on the first Sunday in January as an extension of the New Year's resolution concept.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Skinner, Donald E. (7 December 2009). "Chalica, new weeklong UU holiday, slowly gains adherents". Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
2. ^ "Celebrating Chalica". uua.org. Unitarian Universalist Association. Archived from the original on 27 July 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
3. ^ a b "Chalica – A time of reflection and renewal". UUBGKY.org. Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2017-01-13.
4. ^ Van Leer, Lois E. (11 December 2014). "Chalica". wuuc.org. Woodville Unitarian Universalist Church. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
5. ^ Donald E. Skinner (December 7, 2009). "Chalica, new weeklong UU holiday, slowly gains adherents". Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
6. ^ Klink-Zeitz, Kathy. "Chalica.info: History". chalica.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
7. ^ Richards, Michelle (6 December 2010). "Celebrating the winter holidays". Archived from the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
8. ^ "Some UU Traditions". brisbaneuu.org.au. Brisbane Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Home Page. Archived from the original on 7 August 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
9. ^ Amanda Gregory (December 2, 2013). "Another Winter Holiday!?". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
10. ^ Meredith Plummer (November 20, 2013) [2012]. "My Chalica Book: A Beginner's Guide" (PDF) (Second ed.). First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.

## External links[edit]

* Chalica Facebook page
* Chalica - Unitarian Winter Holiday by founder Daylene Marshall