Alice the Chalice

Standing on the Side of Love message for all ages

Published on January 15, 2014April 13, 2016 by Rev. Amy Freedman2 Comments

The following message for all ages was delivered at First Church in Boston, MA on January 12, 2014 during our Standing on the Side of Love “Courageous Love” service.

You are welcome to use this message in your congregation. Download script here (DOC).

Cast in order of appearance:
The Rev. Amy Freedman, Consulting Minister, First Church Boston
David Ruffin, ministerial intern, First Church Boston
Schuyler Vogel, ministerial intern, First Church Boston

Written by the Rev. Amy Freedman and Peter Bowden

DIY Pumpkin Chalice!

Published on October 27, 2013 by Peter1 Comment

This all started when we added a fun candle with a spider design to our home chalice. After saying grace and lighting the chalice, Peter commented how much he liked our Halloween-themed candle. Then, a flash of inspiration crossed his face. “I have an idea! What if we made a chalice out of a pumpkin?” Well, we just so happened to have the perfect small round pumpkin to try out this crazy idea.

We are happy to report that it works! You, too, can have your very own Pumpkin Chalice to celebrate the harvest season or for Halloween festivities! This is a fun project for a family to do together.

Remember to always use caution with knives and open flames around children. Do not leave your pumpkin chalice lit unattended.

Step One:

Find a small Pumpkin with a straight stem. The stem will be used to attach the top to the base. If the stem is curved, cut the end so it is as straight as possible. Note we do not recommend this project with larger pumpkins as they will not be as stable.

Step Two:

Stretch a Rubber Band around the middle of the pumpkin. This will help you make as even and straight a cut as possible. With a sharp knife, cut the pumpkin in half on a cutting board.

Step Three:

Here’s the fun part for little ones! Scoop out the pulp and seeds. Scrape the inside of the pumpkin so it is just a shell. If you wish, roast the seeds. Our favorite recipe is to toss seeds in melted butter and salt and roast in 300 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Step Four:

Place the bottom half of the pumpkin upside down on the cutting board. Trace the stem so you can cut a snug hole in the bottom of the pumpkin.

Step Five:

Fit the stem firmly into the hole to form the chalice. If chalice is not stable, make hole slightly larger so stem can be inserted further into base.

Step Six:

Place a votive or pillar candle inside!

“May the light of this chalice spark the magic and joy of this season!”

Alice the Chalice cardboard tube craft project!

Published on May 23, 2013November 17, 2014 by Rev. Amy Freedman5 Comments

Materials:

Print Alice the Chalice project template page. Select black and white to color in yourself (or photocopy) or use a pre-colored template.
— Black and White (PDF)
— Pre-Colored Blue (PDF)
toilet paper tube / cardboard tube
crayons or markers
scissors
glue or a glue stick

Instructions:

Print black and white or color template.
Color the Alice the Chalice template pieces – body, face, base and flame.
Cut out pieces.
Glue the rectangular body piece around the tube to cover it.
Glue the face piece onto the top of the tube.
Glue the base piece at the bottom of the tube.
Insert the flame into the top of the tube

Easter Coloring Pages

Published on March 20, 2013November 17, 2014 by PeterLeave a comment

Here are two new Easter coloring pages! Permission granted to copy for use at home and in local Unitarian Universalist congregations. Contact us for other use. ~ Amy & Peter

Alice the Chalice – Happy Easter with Tulips (PDF)

Alice the Chalice – Decorate Your Own Easter Eggs! (PDF)