How to Fill the Worship Chalice

The Chalice in the Foothills Unitarian Universalist Church Sanctuary is a simple setup that uses high purity isopropyl alcohol (91%) to produce a visible flame. The chalice holds a canister that holds the fuel (the isopropyl alcohol). This canister has a lid that can be used to extinguish the flame in the canister. 

You will need

• The chalice, fuel canister and lid
• 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
• Lighting wick
• an ignition source (candle or match)
• Fire Extinguisher

How to Light the Chalice

• Fill the canister with fuel
  • There is a notch in the lip of the canister. If filled to the bottom of this notch, the Chalice will stay lit for about 45 minutes.
  • If fuel is spilled, it can be wiped up with a cloth or paper towel.
• Light your ignition source.
  
• Use the ignition source to light the lighting wick.
• Carefully lower the lit wick towards the fuel in the canister.
  • The fumes coming off the fuel will light before you touch the liquid fuel. 
• Extinguish the lighting wick by sliding it back into its sheath (or blowing it out)
  • You can also extinguish the ignition source if it is still burning

Extinguishing the Chalice

• The chalice will burn itself out after approximately 45 minutes if completely filled.
  • If you need to extinguish the flame before the canister has run out of fuel, using the wick sheath, carefully place the lid on top of the canister, completely covering the opening. This will deprive the flame of oxygen, and extinguish the flame.

Safety and Emergency Precautions

• If the lid for the chalice is not available to extinguish the flame, and the flame is controlled, you can wait for it to burn all the fuel in the canister
  • Do not leave the flame unattended while you wait.
• If the flame must be extinguished quickly and the lid is not available, you can use a dense cloth like the piano cover to completely cover the flame, or a fire extinguisher.
• Do not touch or move the canister when lit. The lit fuel can spill, spreading the flame. 
• If the lit fuel spills or spilled fuel is lit, do not panic. If you are able, find a fire extinguisher or piano cover and extinguish the flame. 
  • If a fire extinguisher or piano cover are not available, call 911
• If you are not comfortable filling, lighting or extinguishing the chalice, do not attempt to do so without assistance. Flameless candles are available in the church as an alternative.