Chalica is a holiday celebrated by some Unitarian Universalists. It traditionally begins on the first Monday in December and lasts seven days,[1][2] though a seven-week variant beginning in January is also observed.[3]
Chalica was created as a holiday in 2005 by Daylene Marshall.[4] While it has gained followers since, it is not a widely celebrated holiday.[5]
On each of the seven nights (or weeks), a different principle of Unitarian Universalism is honored.[6] On each day, a chalice is ignited, the day's principle is read, and ways of honoring the principle are enacted, such as volunteering or donating to a social justice cause.[7][8] There is no rule for how the chalice or display should look, but there are traditionally seven candles around the chalice, one for each principle.[9] Activities on each day vary, and may include discussions, group activities, and songs.[10]
To solve the problem of having only a single week in which to cram seven nonnominal deeds for the seven Unitarian Universalist principles, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green in Kentucky extends Chalica into a seven-week observance. Further, Chalica at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green starts on the first Sunday in January as an extension of the New Year's resolution concept.[3]
