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An unlit chalice on a church altar

Unitarian Universalists honor and celebrate a wide range of holidays and occasions over the course of a year. Unlike other faith traditions that use a single lectionary (a collection of scripture readings appointed for a given day or occasion), the topics and themes for Unitarian Universalist worship services are usually chosen independently by worship leaders in congregations. These include unique UU traditions, like the Flower Ceremony, as well as holidays from other faith traditions, such as Christmas or Beltane.

View and download the 2023-24 UUA Worship Calendar (PDF), which includes faith-based and secular holidays that UU congregations often celebrate. The calendar also includes monthly worship themes used in popular theme-based ministry programs. To download or print, follow the link and use the File menu, then select the Landscape layout option.

LEADER RESOURCE 2 Rituals to Welcome a New Child
a medieval window from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, Scotland, depicting the Nativity
Islamic prayer beads or Subha inside the Süleymaniye Moque (Istanbul).
An altar filled with candles, photos, and flowers

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Displaying 1 - 40 of 40

  • An illustration of Malvina Reynolds singing with her guitar under a "December 7" banner. Text says: "Malvina Reynolds was the 20th century Jewish Unitarian Universalist, a political activist, and a singer/songwriter best known for her song "Little Boxes." She also appeared on season four of Sesame Street as Kate. In 1970, Reynolds recorded the Hanukkah song, "Eight Candles." It has since become a holiday favorite.
    December seventh, "Eight Candles" (1970). Malvina Reynolds was a 20th century Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, socialist, songwriter, and performer who is best known for her song “Little Boxes.” In 1970 she recorded the Hanukkah Song “Eight Candles.” It has since become a holiday favorite.
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | December 11, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • A Easter egg coloring page (with chalices) colored in
    Download your own copy of the Easter egg chalice coloring page!
    Image | By David Snedden | March 30, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Easter
  • On a teal background, a white cup of coffee and the message: "I love you more than fair trade coffee... almost."
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Food, Love, Playfulness, Valentine's Day
  • A white heart in a green circle. White text on red background: "You are the answer to my prayers... meditations, and/or moments of quiet reflection."
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Gratitude, Valentine's Day
  • A white message on red field, with text boxes: "Every day I thank (please check one) God, The Universe, The Unnamed, The Spirit, Earth Mother, All of the Above, None of the Above... FOR YOU
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Agnosticism, Atheism, God, Gratitude, Love, Paganism, Playfulness, Unitarian Universalism, Valentine's Day
  • A teal background with red heart and white text: "Will you join the committee of my heart?"
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Love, Playfulness, Valentine's Day, Work
  • On a red field, two white cartoon birds kissing with text: "I love you more than thoreau loved the woods"
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Valentine's Day
  • a red field with gray spider web and white text: "Let's let our interconnected WEBS interconnect, baby."
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Interdependence, Love, Playfulness, Valentine's Day
  • A silhouette of cupid on a red field with white text: "We go together like a flame and a chalice."
    Image | By Tim Atkins, Jessica Ferguson | February 9, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Valentine's Day
  • On a white field, six UU chalice logos make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. A small caption reads "All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome." A second caption reads "Unitarian Universalism"
    Image | By Melissa Gibson | June 14, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Multiculturalism, Pride Sunday, Solidarity
  • On a black field, six UU chalice logos make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. A small caption reads "All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome." Another caption reads, "Unitarian Universalism"
    Image | By Melissa Gibson | June 14, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Multiculturalism, Pride Sunday, Solidarity
  • On a white field, six UU chalice logos make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. A small caption reads "All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome."
    Image | By Melissa Gibson | June 14, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Diversity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Multiculturalism, Pride Sunday, Solidarity
  • On a black field, six UU chalice logos make a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. A small caption reads "All of who you are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome."
    Image | By Melissa Gibson | June 14, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Hospitality, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday
  • Vases of daffodils and hyacinth on altar.
    Laura Evonne Steinman created this coloring page (PDF) for children to use on Flower Ceremony Sunday.
    Image | By Laura Evonne Steinman | June 13, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth, Flower Communion, Nature, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism
  • a "doodle" drawing of a chalice, with "UU" at the center and stylized lines radiating outward
    Image | By Jennie Freiberger | February 1, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Autumnal Equinox, Playfulness, Seven Principles, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism
  • A coloring page of a vase filled with flowers.
    Image | By Cynthia Landrum | January 10, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth, Flower Communion, Nature, Spring
  • December twenty-fourth, The Flaming Chalice (1965). The Unitarian Service Committee adopted the flaming chalice as their logo in 1941.
    December twenty-fourth, The Flaming Chalice (1965). The Unitarian Service Committee adopted the flaming chalice as their logo in 1941. Years later, in 1965, at the West Shore Church in Cleveland, OH the youth led a Christmas service opened by ritually lighting a chalice....
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Identity, Unitarian Universalism, Unitarianism, Universalism, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December twenty-third, “Oh Holy Night” (1855). The first English translation of "Oh Holy Night" was by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, who tweaked the original French author's socialist themes and images to advance Dwight's own abolitionist cause
    December twenty-third, “O Holy Night” (1855). The first English translation of "O Holy Night" was by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight, who tweaked the original French author's socialist themes and images to advance Dwight's own abolitionist cause. Not only was the French author a...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, International, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December twenty-second, The First Unitarian Church Founded in Transylvania (1557). Despite recognition under the 1557 Act of Religious Toleration and receiving the king's patronage, the Unitarian church in Transylvania has faced frequent persecution.
    December twenty-second, The First Unitarian Church Founded in Transylvania (1557). Despite recognition under the 1557 Act of Religious Toleration and receiving the king's patronage, the Unitarian church in Transylvania has faced frequent persecution....
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, International, Unitarianism, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • Dec. 21: The Winter Solstice. The last harvest of the year is celebrated shortly before the winter solstice.
    December twenty-first, the Winter Solstice. (The point along the Earth’s annual solar orbit when the northern hemisphere is at its furthest point from the sun). The last harvest of the year is celebrated shortly before the Winter Solstice. In ancient times people would feast knowing the months...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Death, Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December twentieth, "The Journey of the Magi" (1927). "Magi" is T.S. Eliot's first of 5 Christmas poems published after his ambivalent decision to join the Anglican church.
    December twentieth, first of Elliot’s Ariel Poems, “The Journey of the Magi” (1927). "Magi" is Unitarian T. S. Eliot’s first of 5 Christmas poems published after his ambivalent choice to join the Anglican church. Many believe that Eliot's feelings about his new church are reflected by the...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December nineteenth, "The Many Moods of Christmas” (1963). Robert Shaw was best known as the conductor of his namesake Chorale. In its day, "Many Moods of Christmas" was the quintessential sound of the season.
    December nineteenth, "The Many Moods of Christmas” (1963). Robert Shaw was best known as the conductor of his namesake Chorale. In its day, "Many Moods of Christmas" was the quintessential sound of the season. Even today, the album sells well around the holidays and choirs continue to perform it...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December eighteenth, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (1962). Amid the anxiety of the Cuban missile crisis Unitarian Noel Regney wrote “Do You Hear What I Hear?” as a protest song (music composed by Gloria Shayne Baker).
    December eighteenth, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (1962). Amid the anxiety of the Cuban missile crisis, Unitarian Noel Regney wrote the text for “Do You Hear What I Hear?” as a protest song. The music was composed by his then-wife, Gloria Shayne Baker. The song's allusions to the Bible stories of...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Peace, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December Seventeenth, Rod Serling’s Christmas Specials (1963). Though Jewish Rod Serling always loved Christmas (maybe because his birthday was December twenty-fifth). He became a Unitarian Universalist while in college.
    December Seventeenth, Rod Serling’s Christmas Specials (1963). Though Jewish, Rod Serling always loved Christmas (maybe because his birthday was December twenty-fifth). He became a Unitarian Universalist while in college and later joined the Unitarian Community Church of Santa Monica. He wrote...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Science, Secular, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December sixteenth, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales (1835). When the man he loved married a woman, Danish Unitarian Hans Christian Andersen wrote one of his first and most beloved fairy tales of a mermaid's tragically unrequited love.
    December sixteenth, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales (1835). When the man he loved married a woman, Danish Unitarian Hans Christian Andersen wrote one of his first and most beloved fairy tales of a mermaid's tragically unrequited love. His timeless tales include several Christmas classics...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarianism, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December fifteenth, the First American Christmas Tree (1832). Unitarian Minister Charles Follen delighted his son and party guests with a Christmas tree as he had growing up in Germany.
    December fifteenth, the First American Christmas Tree (1832). Unitarian Minister Charles Follen delighted his son and party guests with a Christmas tree as he had growing up in Germany. They had postponed the festivities until New Years so that British author and Unitarian Harriet Martineau could...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December fourteenth, “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day” (1865). Unitarian Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Wrote "Christmas Bells" (a poem later set to music and renamed "I Head the Bells On Christmas Day") just months before the end of the Civil War.
    December fourteenth, “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day” (1865). Unitarian Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Wrote "Christmas Bells" (a poem later set to music and renamed "I Head the Bells On Christmas Day") just months before the end of the Civil War. The poem captures the despair felt by the...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Unitarianism, War, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December thirteenth, first department store Santa (1890). Department storeowner James Edgar delighted customers’ children by walking about the store on weekends dressed in a Santa costume.
    December thirteenth, first department store Santa (1890). Department storeowner James Edgar delighted customers’ children by walking about the store on weekends dressed in a Santa costume. Edgar aspired to broad-mindedness in his religion, and though not a member he attended the Unitarian church...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Secular, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December twelfth, Christmas Day is Clara Barton’s Birthday (1821). Clara Barton, Universalist and founder of the American Red Cross is a hero of our liberal religious faith. We remember her around the holidays season since she was born Christmas day, 1821
    December twelfth, Christmas Day is Clara Barton’s Birthday (1821). Clara Barton, Universalist and founder of the American Red Cross, is a hero of our liberal religious faith. We remember her around the holidays season since she was born Christmas Day, 1821. But in the season when we recall the...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Healing, Health, International, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Secular, Universalism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December eleventh, Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" (1842). Unitarian Charles Dickens impacted the way Christmas is celebrated today more than any other individual.
    December eleventh, Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" (1843). Unitarian Charles Dickens impacted the way Christmas is celebrated today more than any other individual. "A Christmas Carol" has been credited with popularizing everything from turkey dinners and family gift exchanges to holiday...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Redemption, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December tenth, Christmas Scenes in "Little Women" (1868). Unitarian Louisa May Alcott wrote over a dozen Christmas themed stories and poems in addition to the Christmas scenes in "Little Women.”
    December tenth, Christmas Scenes in "Little Women" (1868). Unitarian Louisa May Alcott wrote over a dozen Christmas-themed stories and poems in addition to the Christmas scenes in "Little Women.” Her description of a holiday with the March family nurtured a growing sense of American nostalgia for...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Secular, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was written by Unitarian Minister Hamilton Sears while recovering from a nervous breakdown. The melancholy carol’s conspicuous omission of any reference to Jesus or his birth has drawn criticism from orthodox Christians.
    December ninth, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" (1849). "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was written by Unitarian Minister Hamilton Sears while recovering from a nervous breakdown. The melancholy carol’s conspicuous omission of any reference to Jesus or his birth has drawn criticism from orthodox...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • In 1912, President William Howard Taft’s daughter Helen arranged to have a Christmas tree in the White House Blue Room (the first of what has since become a tradition).
    December eighth, first Christmas Tree in the White House Blue Room (1912). From the New York Times, December 26, 1912: "With the President and Mrs. Taft at Panama, their son and daughter established a new precedent at the White House in the way of a Christmas party to-night....
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December sixth, The Modern Look and Lore of Santa Claus (1863). Universalist Thomas Nast produced over 70 illustrations of Santa. It is from Nast that the world first learned of Santa's red suit, that he gives coal if you're naughty....
    December sixth, The Modern Look and Lore of Santa Claus (1863). Universalist Thomas Nast produced over seventy illustrations of Santa. It is from Nast that the world first learned of Santa's red suit, that he gives coal if you're naughty, and even that Santa, as a world citizen, belonging to no...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Playfulness, Secular, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December fifth, "Jingle Bells" (1857). First performed at a Thanksgiving event by the Sunday school children from the Unitarian Church in Savannah, GA.
    December fifth, "Jingle Bells" (1857). First performed at a Thanksgiving event by the Sunday school children from the Unitarian Church in Savannah, GA who were led by the church music director and the song’s composer James Pierpont. “Jingle bells” was published in 1857, but only gained...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • December fourth, the earmuff is invented (1873). Life long Unitarian Chester Greenwood received the Patent for the first earmuff when he was 15.
    December fourth, the earmuff is invented (1873). Lifelong Unitarian Chester Greenwood received the Patent for the first earmuff when he was 15. His factory manufactured the new winter wear for over 60 years. However, Chester himself worked as a mechanic in a bike shop he opened using profits from...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • Founded by Unitarian Nathaniel Currier, The Currier and Ives Printing Firm published an annual set of winter images. Scenes of snowball fights and children ice skating wooed Americans into a love affair with the idea of a snow covered New England holiday.
    December third, Currier and Ives (1834). Founded by Unitarian Nathaniel Currier, the Currier and Ives Printing Firm published an annual set of winter images....
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Arts & Music, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Winter
  • December second, Kwanzaa first celebrated (1966). Dr. Mona Lana Karenga, Kwanzaa's founder, received some of the money needed to develop and publicize Kwanzaa through a UU a fund set up to support black empowerment.
    December second, Kwanzaa first celebrated (1966). Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa's founder, received some of the money needed to develop and publicize Kwanzaa through a Unitarian Universalist fund set up to support black empowerment. Drawing from traditional West African harvest celebrations...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 23, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Kwanzaa, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity
  • December first, "Over The River And Through The Woods" (1844). The song "Over The River And Through The Woods" is based on a poem by Unitarian author and human rights champion Lidia Maria Child. Inspiration for the poem came from her own childhood mem
    December first, "Over The River And Through The Woods" (1844). The song "Over the River and Through The Woods" is based on a poem by Unitarian author and human rights champion Lydia Maria Child. Inspiration for the poem came from her own childhood memories of Thanksgiving at her grandparents’...
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, IllUUmination, Unitarianism, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • "The entire world is God's message of love to us. Yom Kippur is the time when we are most open to receive this message." Rabbi Noah Weinberg.
    Image | By AmyBeth Gibbs | September 17, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Awe, Beginnings, Forgiveness, God, Judaism, Love, Rosh Hashanah, Tradition, Wonder, Yom Kippur