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 give thanks for love, Agape and Eros, Chocolates and pillow talk, And all of cupid’s arrows. For unrequited yearning And the grand passion burning, For quiet appreciation And platonic contemplation. For lovers, too, we offer thanks: Those gay and straight, near and dear, Gender metamorphic or...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Intimacy, Love, Sexuality, Valentine's Day -
When used as a responsive reading, "We are waiting" is the congregational response. This is the season of anticipation, Of expecting, of hoping, of wanting. This is the time of expecting the arrival of something--or someone. We are waiting. This is the time of living in darkness, in the hues of...Responsive Reading | By Leslie Takahashi | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Advent, Balance, Calling, Christianity, Contemplation, Hope, Unitarian Universalism, Vision -
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 -
We ask blessings on this, our church home. May this building be a tool to continue the good work of our helping hands, our loving hearts, and open minds. May this home be safe harbor for all who sail upon the sea of Life, and a beacon of hope to those on rough waters....Blessing | By Jennifer Stokes | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Building/Space Dedication, Commitment, Community, Empathy, Generosity, Gratitude, Home, Responsibility, Reverence, Stewardship, Vision
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"Why a flaming chalice?” the question comes. It’s the cup of life, we answer. A cup of blessings overflowing. A cup of water to quench our spirits’ thirst. A cup of wine for celebration and dedication. The flame of truth. The fire of purification. Oil for anointing, healing. Out of chaos,...Chalice Lighting | By Lisa Doege | January 22, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anger, Anti-Oppression, Beliefs & Principles, Brokenness, Courage, Disaster or Crisis, Healing, Oppression, Solidarity, Sorrow, Tradition, Truth -
A former South African paramilitary commander looks across his dining room table into the interviewer's camera. He is in his early sixties, overweight, with short gray hair. He wears glasses and a polo shirt. It's late morning. He explains: "We were at war. We believed that if the Blacks were...Sermon | By David Schwartz | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Conscience, Dissent, Spiritual Practice
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We exist within this interstitial surfacetensed between past and future,this violet veilundulating between health and illness,this filmy membranepolished between body and spiritthis alert eardrumreverberating between human and divine, We are sunrise with a remembrance of dusk,We are soul with pat...Meditation | By Tess Baumberger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Balance
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We are in the midst of the season of celebration. Celebrations: Of the birth of new hope, Of the festival of lights, Of the triumph of freedom. The darkness of the year is lifting and the time of light grows longer. We have gathered with an anticipation of hope for peace on earth and in our homes.Meditation | By Elizabeth M Strong | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Ending, Hanukkah, Hope, Letting Go, New Year, Searching, Unitarian Universalism, Winter Solstice / Yule -
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: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Children, Diversity, Multiculturalism, Multiculturalism
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Please join with me in the spirit of meditation and prayer.We have returned again to the time of Atonement, the time to look back over our lives this past year and face the realities of when we have fallen short of the aims set forth in "Moments of high resolve."We have the opportunity, if we cho...Meditation | By Elizabeth M Strong | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Judaism, Redemption, Responsibility
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Day by day, month by month, year by year we are confronted with all that we do not know, that we do not understand, that we do not grasp....Meditation | By Susan L Suchocki | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Direct Experience, Growth, Humility, Mystery, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Searching -
To the God above God we turn our thoughts in meditation.Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: God, Reverence
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To escape the trap of public acclaim, an authentic church should advertise as follows:...Meditation | By David O. Rankin | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Love, Religion
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Let there be a quiet time among us. Spirit of life, in us and around us, here is our chance—once again—to live like we wish the world would live. May we find within ourselves the courage to be who we are. May we know when it is time to listen and when it is time to speak. May we trust ourselves...Meditation | By Barbara Hamilton-Holway | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Discernment, Hope, Integrity, Limitations, Power, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism
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Somewhere across the world,...Meditation | By Kathleen Rolenz | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Easter, Peace
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Some days dark tremors sweep across our lives. Troubling events accost us. We have grown accustomed to such things, and often we have fenced off our natural sympathies with the thought: this belongs to somebody else....Meditation | By George Kimmich Beach | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Hope, Self-Care, Suffering -
Palm Sunday is found: whenever we are serving a noble and unpopular cause with selfless devotion, holding to the ideals of truth and justice; whenever we are seeking to uplift the fallen, to comfort the brokenhearted, to strengthen and encourage the weak and hopeless; whenever we are working brav...Meditation | By David O. Rankin | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Palm Sunday -
Once upon a time there was an old man who lived alone with his grandson in a dirty hovel. Everything around them was filthy (you can imagine!) One day a stranger appeared and gave the young child a beautiful lily. The boy took it home and placed it on a windowsill in his house....Story | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Easter, Service, Transformation
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On Mother's Day, one expects to read about the wonder and glory of motherhood....Reading | By Jane Rzepka | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Generations, Mother's Day, Mothers, Parents, Relationships
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Quiet yourself and listen to the rhythm of your breath, your heart . . .Listen to the silence . . .Meditation | By Stephen W Dick | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Contemplation, Direct Experience, Meditation Practices, Self-Care, Silence, Spiritual Practice