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You are here: Home / About / Our Faith / The Flaming Chalice

The Flaming Chalice

“The Flaming Chalice,” emblem of the Unitarian Universalist movement, contains two circles – one symbolizing Unitarianism and the other Universalism, distinct movements in Europe and America, which formally joined together in the U.S.A. to form the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in 1963.

The chalice is inspired by Jan Hus (b.1370), Bohemian Catholic priest and Dean and Rector of the Charles University in Prague. While at the time the faithful had to rely on the priests to translate scripture from the Latin, Hus translated the Bible into the local language – a precedent the Reformation followed. And while the Church reserved the communion wine for the priest alone, Hus shared the chalice with the people that they might have both bread and wine together. For these and other “heresies”, the Church ordered Jan Hus burned at the stake in 1419. After his death the people he had served combined the fire of his martyrdom with the communal communion cup to create the symbol of the flaming chalice, which became the symbol of freedom in Bohemia.

The chalice and the flame were brought together as a Unitarian symbol by Austrian artist Hans Deutsch in 1941. Living in Paris in the 1930s, Deutsch drew critical cartoons of Adolf Hitler. When the Nazis invaded Paris in 1940, he abandoned all he had and fled to the south of France, then to Spain, and finally, with an altered passport, into Portugal. There he met the Reverend Charles Joy, executive director of the Unitarian Service Committee (USC). The Service Committee was new, founded in Boston to assist Eastern Europeans, among them Unitarians as well as Jews, who needed to escape Nazi persecution. From his Lisbon headquarters, Joy oversaw a secret network of couriers and agents.

The flaming chalice also evokes a cross which symbolizes our Christian history, and is off-center, symbolizing our progressive (non-static) movement towards truth. Today many Unitarian Universalist congregations light the chalice at the beginning of their Sunday services, renewing our common commitment to the “light of reason, the warmth of life, and the fire of our passion for justice.”

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January 29 – “Imbolc”

Come all you magical creatures and beings! Slip in from your dreams and wild places and join us in the liminal time of Imbolc! We are halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Light is growing, seeds are stirring! Celebrate with us as we pour the waters of blessing and light candles to […]

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville

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Upcoming Events

  • UUFF Sunday Morning Meditation - 9:30am each Sunday, meeting via zoom.
    • 01/29/2023, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
  • UUFF Sunday 10am Adult RE Mindful Discussion - Downstairs Common Room
    • 01/29/2023, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
  • UUFF's Youth (ages 11-18) Religious Exploration Classes - downstairs at UUFF each Sunday at 10am!
    • 01/29/2023, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
  • Writing Postcards for Reproductive Freedom - Monday, 01/30, at 7pm (Nash home or zoom)
    • 01/30/2023, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • UUFF Caring Team Online Meeting - first Saturday of each month, beginning at 1pm! All welcome!
    • 02/04/2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  • UUFF Sunday Morning Meditation - 9:30am each Sunday, meeting via zoom.
    • 02/05/2023, 9:30 am - 10:30 am
  • UUFF Sunday 10am Adult RE Mindful Discussion - Downstairs Common Room
    • 02/05/2023, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
  • all events
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    Join our Accessibility and Inclusivity Working Group!

    Members from the Care Team and Justice Team are joining together to make sure UUFF is inclusive for all people, regardless of physical, cognitive, or sensory ability. Scope of project and timeline will be decided by members of the group. Let's welcome and celebrate the physical and neurodiversity of humankind.

    Interested in being a part of the team? Send an email to
    Elizabeth Littlepage
    .

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    Unitarian Universalist
    Fellowship of Fayetteville

    901 W. Cleveland St.
    Fayetteville, AR 72701

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    view front of UUFF building

    About Us

    Our mission as a diverse faith community is to promote justice and service while seeking personal and spiritual growth.
    Learn More about UUFF.

    Newcomer, Seeker, or Just Curious?
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    Sunday Schedule

    Offered at UUFF:

    Main Service at 11 AM

    Adult Religious Exploration Discussion Group – 10am

    Children’s Religious Exploration Class – 10am

    Youth Religious Exploration Class – 10am

    Meditation Group – 9:30am (via zoom only)

    Nursery care is available during the 11am Sunday Service.

    Get in Touch

    (479) 521-8422
    uuff.ar@gmail.com
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    Weekday Office Hours
    Tuesday- Fri 10:30am-2:30pm

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