This is a flower, a gift from the earth from which it grows. May you know that the earth provides all you need. May you know beauty, and may all you do be a blessing to the world. You are the earth.

—from the Welcoming New Life ceremony for the children of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, June 1, 2025

•••

There is no spiritual blemish
to be washed away, says the pastor
looking at the children, many of them
in their parents’ arms, assembled
before the congregation,

which cannot help smiling at
such a mass of squirmy-ness
and sweetness, as these little ones
from tiny to taller are welcomed
into this community of kindness.

They are gladly received—
nothing asked of them,
no atoning necessary—
embraced by strangers,
many of whom will come
to feel like family,

thankful for all the blessings
all of us have been given,
with an unwavering faith
that there will be better days,
that these children will
become a force for healing
in the world, for justice
and wholeness.

After watching child after child
receive a flower and a blessing
of water, air, fire and earth,
let us each accept the gift
of a flower chosen for us,
as we then select a flower
and offer it to another—

a holy nudge in floral form
so that we assembled souls
might also live as blessings
to the world.

•••

Thanks to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento—
especially the Revs. Lucy Bunch and Roger Jones—for their
embracing community, which extends so much kindness
and welcome to all.