This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

"An Empty Cup for Gaza" prayerful action by Unitarian Universalists

Security is not delivered by bombs, concrete walls, razor wire, or 24/7 surveillance. It arrives when we care about "the other" and listen.

Steven S Lapham's profile picture
Steven S Lapham, Neighbor
|
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23074649/20240904/095140/styles/patch_image/public/we-stand-with-israel-v-genesis___04213355399.jpg
Is the U.S. providing weapons for "defense," or bullets to help our own brother commit suicide? The war on Gaza (and now the West Bank) is destroying Israel's society and economy. The U.S. is not helping. It is enabling this self-destruction.
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23074649/20240904/095140/styles/patch_image/public/cup-horizontal-frame___04214210812.jpg
When people are called forward to pour water into the common vessel, you can bring your cup to the front, spill some “missing water” into the vessel, and then leave the cup behind next to the water ceremony vessel.
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/23074649/20240908/083944/styles/patch_image/public/main-line-unitarian-church-in-devon-pa-on-september-8-2024___08203903445.jpg
Many Cups for Gaza Main at Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, PA on September 8, 2024, after the ceremony.
This year is different. Many UU (Unitarian Universalist) congregations across America hold an "ingathering" ceremony in September as folks return from summer travels. This year on September 8, some congregants, instead of offering a bit of water from the beloved lake or swimming pool, will "pour missing water" from an empty cup. Why? In Gaza, there is no clean drinking water.

An Empty Cup for Gaza

"This summer, the General Assembly of the UUA passed a “Solidarity with Palestinians" resolution, an "Action of Immediate Witness," calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

As you offer a bit of water during your congregation’s water ceremony, UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) invites you to also place an empty paper cup next to the congregational vessel in solidarity with Palestinians. The day before, decorate the cup with a keffiyeh pattern, or a photo of healthy Palestinian children. UUs across America are taking this prayerful action in recognition of and solidarity with the two million Palestinians in Gaza who are denied potable water by Israel, a war crime that is enabled by the United States. Palestinian civilians are dying en masse of starvation, thirst, preventable disease, and weapons of war.
"When people are called forward to pour water into the common vessel, UUJME suggests that you bring your cup to the front, spill some “missing water” into the vessel, and then leave the cup behind next to the water ceremony vessel." –UU Association (UUA), WorshipWeb

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

UUs in several Montgomery County congregations will take this prayerful, hopeful action.

** *** **

Find out what's happening in Gaithersburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Gaithersburg