Ritual and Rights

UUs across the country have been raising the moral voice affirming that the human right to water — access to safe, affordable, and adequate water for drinking and sanitation — must be protected both at home and abroad.

Many congregations (I hope yours!) will celebrate the reconvening of your community this fall with Water Communion or a water ceremony. Last year, more than 70 congregations across the country included a statement of solidarity for the human right to water in their Water Communion. This year, we invite you to join them.

Consider recognizing the human right to water in your ritual this year by symbolically pouring an empty vessel into the communal bowl and making a simple statement such as the following:

• "This container, empty of water, reminds us of all who lack access to safe and affordable water."
• "We stand in solidarity with UUSC and all those around the world who are calling for the human right to water."

You are also welcome to use any other words to honor the human right to water. Please let us know if your congregation will incorporate the human right to water into your Water Communion or water ritual this fall. 

UUSC is working with partners throughout the world to protect and defend this most precious and necessary right. In Tanzania, the Tanzania Gender Networking Program is researching the affects of water privatization on women. In Guatemala, the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas of Sipakapa is monitoring the impacts of Goldcorp gold-mining operations on water quality and quantity. In California, our community partners such as the Community Water Center and allies like the UU Legislative Ministry of California are working for 11.5 million Californians who don't have access to safe drinking water. This work is only possible because our members are standing with us and lifting up their voices in support — thank you!

Looking for some inspiration?

• Over 1,145 UUSC members and supporters have signed a statement of support for the human right to water. Raise your moral voice and share it with your congregation.

• Read about how congregations participated last year.

• Check out recent press coverage of the human right to water in California:
  • "Water crisis a moral mandate, matter of justice," by Arvid Straube, Susan Weaver, and Lindi Ramsden, in the San Diego Tribune, on August 16, 2012.
  • "California Water: No More Tadpoles, Please," by UUSC President Rev. Bill Schulz, in the Huffington Post, on August 8, 2012. 
  • "Who carries their water?" by Dan Morain, in the Sacramento Bee, on August 13, 2012.