Flower Communion is a ritual service common in Unitarian Universalism, though the specific practices vary from one congregation to another., by Reginald Zottoli It is usually held before summer, when some congregations recess from holding services. For a typical Flower Communion , congregants contribute flowers to a central location, and later the flowers are distributed among the participants. The first Flower Communion, called a "Flower Celebration ," was held in Prague on 4 June 1923 , and the practice was introduced to Unitarians in the United States in 1940. History The Flower Celebration was initiated by Norbert Čapek, who was also the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He saw the need to unite the diverse congregants of his church, from varying Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish backgrounds, without alienating those who had left these traditions. For this reason he honored the universal beauty of nature by having a communion of flowers instead of the Eucharist. The first Flower Celebration was held in Prague on 4 June 1923. Čapek's term  is more accurately translated as "Flower Celebration," a term which continues to be preferred by Czech Unitarians today."Fragile and Rooted", by Joan Van Becelaere, CLF Quest, June 2002 The Flower Communion was reportedly introduced in the United States in 1940 by the Rev. Maja Čapek, Norbert's wife, and was widely adopted by the American Unitarian churches, and their successor Unitarian Universalist congregations. Earlier Unitarian "Flower Services," documented in Midwestern U.S. Unitarian congregations beginning circa 1880, were somewhat different in form from Čapek's service. A sample Flower Communion In its essentials, a flower communion involves the following: each congregant brings a flower to be used in the service; congregants leave their flowers in a central location either as they enter or during the service. Early in the service the bouquets of flowers are carried in, often by children. Towards the end of the service, the flowers are distributed or congregants come forward and choose a flower different from the one they brought. The actual order of service varies widely in different congregations, and often closely resembles the ordinary order of service. Other service elements might include a sermon, the blessing of or a prayer over the flowers, a reading by Norbert Čapek, the story of the Flower Communion , hymns, etc. Symbolism As with the flaming chalice there is no one orthodox interpretation of the Flower Communion . The beauty and diversity of flowers is seen as symbolic of the beauty and diversity of life. Czech Unitarian Iva Fišerová has written: "The flower is the most beloved symbol for Czech Unitarians... The symbol of various unique beings -- flowers/people -- uniting to create a unique bouquet... Parting and being given a flower as a symbol of anybody in attendance whom I am expected to accept as my brother or sister.""The Flower Celebration", by Iva Fišerová (Member Church of the Larger Fellowship, Prague, Czech Republic), CLF Quest, June 2002 References Czech Unitarian Church 
Flower Communion is a ritual service common in Unitarian Universalism, though the specific practices vary from one congregation to another., by Reginald Zottoli It is usually held before summer, when some congregations recess from holding services. During the ritual , congregants contribute flowers to a central location, and later the flowers are distributed among the participants. History The Flower Celebration was initiated in Prague on 4 June 1923 by Norbert Čapek, who was also the founder of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. He saw the need to unite the diverse congregants of his church, from varying Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish backgrounds, without alienating those who had left these traditions. For this reason he honored the universal beauty of nature by having a communion of flowers instead of the Eucharist. Though Unitarian Universalists often refer to the ritual as a Flower Ceremony, Festival, or Communion, Čapek's term "Oslava Květin" is more accurately translated as "Flower Celebration," a term which continues to be preferred by Czech Unitarians today."Fragile and Rooted", by Joan Van Becelaere, CLF Quest, June 2002 The ritual was brought to the United States in 1940 by the Rev. Maja Čapek, Norbert's wife, and was widely adopted by the American Unitarian churches, and their successor Unitarian Universalist congregations. Earlier Unitarian "Flower Services," documented in Midwestern U.S. Unitarian congregations beginning circa 1880, were somewhat different in form from Čapek's service. A sample Flower Communion In its essentials, the ritual involves the following: each congregant brings a flower to be used in the service; congregants leave their flowers in a central location either as they enter or during the service. Early in the service the bouquets of flowers are carried in, often by children. Towards the end of the service, the flowers are distributed or congregants come forward and choose a flower different from the one they brought. The actual order of service varies widely in different congregations, and often closely resembles the ordinary order of service. Other service elements might include a sermon, the blessing of or a prayer over the flowers, a reading by Norbert Čapek, the history of the ritual , hymns, etc. Symbolism As with the flaming chalice there is no one orthodox interpretation of this flower ritual . The beauty and diversity of flowers is seen as symbolic of the beauty and diversity of life. Czech Unitarian Iva Fišerová has written: "The flower is the most beloved symbol for Czech Unitarians... The symbol of various unique beings -- flowers/people -- uniting to create a unique bouquet... Parting and being given a flower as a symbol of anybody in attendance whom I am expected to accept as my brother or sister.""The Flower Celebration", by Iva Fišerová (Member Church of the Larger Fellowship, Prague, Czech Republic), CLF Quest, June 2002 References Czech Unitarian Church Flower Ceremony UUA Website
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For a typical Flower Communion
During the ritual
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The first Flower Communion, called a "Flower Celebration ," was held
History The Flower Celebration was initiated
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, and the practice was introduced to Unitarians in the United States in 1940.
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History The Flower Celebration was initiated
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The first Flower Celebration was held in Prague on 4 June 1923.
Though Unitarian Universalists often refer to the ritual as a Flower Ceremony, Festival, or Communion,
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"Oslava Květin"
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Flower Communion was reportedly introduced in
ritual was brought to
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a flower communion
the ritual
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story of the Flower Communion
history of the ritual
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the Flower Communion
this flower ritual
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Flower Ceremony UUA Website