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.
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We kindle this flame (hold arms together in a chalice shape and wiggle fingers) to honor the heart of a Unitarian Universalist (hold hands together in a heart shape) Someone who shows strength (flex both arms in a strong motion) Someone who lends a helping hand (flip one hand, palm facing outward...Chalice Lighting | By Adena Dannouf | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, WorshipWeb, Worship -
A movement meditation for all agesMeditation | By Kimberlee Anne Tomczak Carlson | March 18, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Body, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Growth, Imagination, Nature, Strength, WorshipWeb, Worship -
I light this chalice as a symbol of my commitment to the values of Unitarian Universalism. May its light be a beacon of hope to me, and to all who seek freedom, truth, and meaning in life.Chalice Lighting | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | March 20, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Bridging Ceremony, Children, Children's Sabbath, Coming of Age, Coming-of-Age, Family, Growth, Quinceañera, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism -
To prepare for this Message for All Ages, you’ll need to do the following: remove a small white tea light from its aluminum casing make a fake candle out of a turnip or jicama: carefully peel and cut (adults only!) until your disc of turnip is the same size as the tea candle. (The aluminum case...Time for All Ages | By Erika Hewitt | November 20, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Direct Experience, Doubt, Freedom, Playfulness, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Responsibility, Truth, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
What does “fair” mean? Is “fair” the same thing as “equal”? Which one is reflected in the concept of “justice”? Designed to be used as a Message for All Ages or as part of a Children's Chapel service, this activity uses cookies (yum!) to explore the differences between fair and...Activity | By Erika Hewitt | August 3, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Children's Sabbath, Direct Experience, Equity, Food, Justice, Playfulness, Power, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Seven Principles -
The Birthday Circle is a ritual that shows children that they are loved, known, and appreciated in our families and communities....Ritual | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | June 16, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Coming-of-Age, Community, Direct Experience, Growth, Humanism, Prophetic Words & Deeds -
This children's worship activity relies on the use of objects that you'll have to assemble. Its author used Quarto! game pieces (shown in the accompanying picture)....Complete Service | By Martha Dallas | May 12, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Children's Sabbath, Direct Experience, Diversity, Division, Inclusion, Interdependence, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unity, Worship Tips, WorshipWeb -
Leader 1: It takes a Unitarian Universalist Village to raise a Unitarian Universalist Child. We will read what we believe important for our children to learn, to know, and to experience. We invite you to respond by saying “It takes a village to raise a child.” Leader 2: It is important for our...Litany | By Tess Baumberger | March 9, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Caring, Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Community, Generations, Growth, New Child, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism
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Children widen the circle of our being in ways that are limitless. Every baby that’s born connects us to our history, our own parents, grandparents and unknown forbears who brought new life to the world in each successive generation. Every baby that’s born links us to the future, to a world yet...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Birth, Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Family, Fathers, Generations, Love, Mothers, Parents -
A tale of salvation, ecology, and sharing. Characters Narrator Noelle Voice in a dream Noelle’s sisters Jane, Rain, and Elaine Friendly farmer(s) Ship builder(s) Numerous animals: dogs, cats, mice, cows, horses, frogs, etc. Act 1 (Noelle at center stage, sitting, covered in blanket and appearing...Story | By Christian Schmidt | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Activism, Children's Sabbath, Christianity, Direct Experience, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Environment, God, Interdependence, Justice Sunday, Service, Water Communion
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Let us join in the spirit of prayer and meditation. We are each different. Some of us are bigger and others are smaller. Some of us are taller and others are shorter. Our hair is different colors and our eyes are different shapes....Meditation | By Axel H Gehrmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Community, Direct Experience, Diversity, Inclusion, Unity
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Among the most accomplished and fabled tribes of Africa, no tribe was considered to have warriors more fearsome or more intelligent than the mighty Masai....Reading | By Patrick T O'Neill | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Child Dedication, Children, Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Commitment, Community, Family, Fathers, Generations, International, Mothers, New Child, Relationships -
A complete service for Children's Sabbath, with Homily by Pat Hoertdoerfer. Chalice Lighting We gather this hour as people of faith With joys and sorrows; gifts and needs. We light this beacon of hope, Sign of our quest for truth and meaning, In celebration of the life we share together. Opening...Complete Service | By Patricia Hoertdoerfer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children's Sabbath
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Dear God, May I be kind, Strong and brave, Joyful, useful, loving, Honest and healthy.Prayer | By Meg Barnhouse | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, Courage, God, Health, Kindness, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Strength
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For food in a world where many walk in hunger For faith in a world where many walk in fear For friends in a world where many walk alone We give you thanks, O God. Amen.Prayer | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Children's Sabbath, Food, Friendship, God, Gratitude, Table Grace
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Dear God, hear and bless Your beasts and singing birds; And guard with tenderness Small things that have no words...Prayer | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Animals, Awe, Children's Sabbath, Compassion, God, Nature
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A few summers ago my wife Suzanne and I took our son Christopher gem mining in the mountains of North Carolina. We mounded a pile of mud and dirt, got a sifter, and began sifting through the soil in search of treasure. Liberal religious education is like gem mining. In a Unitarian Universalist...Meditation | By Christopher Buice | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Children's Sabbath, Education, Teacher Dedication
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We wish for you a storm or two that you may enjoy the calm. We wish for you tranquility in time of trial. We wish you a cool breeze on a warm day, and pale white clouds that you may better appreciate the blueness of the sky. We wish you darkness that you may see the stars....Prayer | By Robert F Kaufmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Bridging Ceremony, Child Dedication, Children, Children's Sabbath, Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Nature, New Child, Parents, Seven Principles, Unitarianism