About IllUUmination

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Have you ever observed the creation of a holiday?  Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock celebrates IllUUmination, a holiday started here at UUCLR in 1994.  The holiday, which celebrates the Unitarian Universalist chalice, was conceived within one of our member families in response to their children's desire to celebrate not only the special days of other faiths, but of their own.  

The chalice, used in worship by many Unitarian Universalist congregations, symbolizes sharing, generosity, sustenance and love; its flame, our freedom to search for truth and meaning and our belief in the inherent worth of each person.  Other Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country have taken up the celebration. 

Celebrated during the winter season, at a time of the year when many great religious traditions mark the change of seasons, the nascent observance already has its own traditions, symbols, music and characters.  Traditionally, a savory potluck Feast, followed by entertainment, Sufi dancing and storytelling, takes place on Saturday night. On Sunday morning the celebrants return for an IllUUmination Worship Service. Celebrants dress in the traditional holiday colors of purple and silver and decorations carry out the color theme.  Each family brings the family chalice to decorate the feast tables. 

The spiritual, "This Little Light of Mine," has become an anthem of sorts for illUUmination.  Recently Sufi dancing following the feast has become an illUUmination tradition.

An IllUUmination tree, designed and built by a member of the congregation and topped with a chalice, is part of the celebrations.