The UUFH Flower & Niche Ministry Team beautifies our Sanctuary. Connie Hanna, Judith Heartwell, Mary Highberger, and Regina Hutchison present beautiful Flower arrangements every week,

They also are coordinating Rev George’s monthly themes when they place arrangements in the niches just inside the doors to the Sanctuary.

Mary Highberger shares the lovely tradition kadomatsu with us every year. This is a Japanese New Year tradition meaning “gate pine”.

Two similar arrangements are placed in front of the home on either side of the door or gate.
Designs vary but the basics are three bamboo poles of different lengths, with the tops cut at an angle and bound together with natural fiber rope.
There are 11 twists of the rope which represent the length of the New Year holiday in Japan.
The different lengths of the bamboo represent heaven, humanity, & earth.
The pine symbolizes longevity and endurance., while the bamboo symbolizes growth,  prosperity,  and strength.
Plum sprigs are. added to denote steadfastness.
The belief  was that the kadomatsu brought good luck by serving as temporary housing for the ancestral spirits (kama), who thereby bestow the homeowner with a bountiful harvest.