Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel Saint Louis Missouri

What to expect on holidays?

What is Water Communion?

The Water Communion, also sometimes called Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist worship service in the 1980s. Many UU congregations now hold a Water Communion once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September).
Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. (Emerson provides some water to use in the event you and your family forget. All are encouraged to participate as you feel comfortable to do so.) During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large vessel. As the water is added, traditionally, the person who brought it told why this water is special to them. Since Emerson has grown, we call the water in from directions. You are encouraged to bring water to the vessel when you feel called to do so. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and is later boiled and used as the congregation's "holy water" in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.

Go to Bread Communion or Flower Communion, or return to Holidays.

Return to Sunday Services.