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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Do we ever surprise you, God? De we ever do or say things which catch you off guard, or do you have everything under such tight control that nothing is left to chance? You are the ultimate mystery to us, but are we ever a mystery to you?...Prayer | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Authority, Freedom, God, Playfulness, Service, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
Let us enter into a time of meditation, contemplation, and prayer. Feel the earth beneath your feet as it supports you. Feel the love of this community as it surrounds and enfolds you. Feel your breath as it flows in and out of your body. Listen to your heartbeat. Listen to your heart......Meditation | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Brokenness, Compassion, Connections, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness -
Over our heads, the great wheel of stars shifts, the autumnal (or spring) equinox manifests itself, and for one precious instant darkness and light exist in balanced proportion to one another. Within our minds the great web of neurons shifts, new consciousness arises, and for one precious instant...Meditation | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Balance, Earth-Centered, Paganism
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You Birds of the Air, Hawk, Sparrow, and laughing Jay You embody freedom itself, delight us with your song, astound us with feats of migration Grant us your perspective, for too often our horizon is limited and we are blind to the full results of our actions....Meditation | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), All Saints Day, Animal Blessing, Animals, Connections, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Humility, Love, Nature, Relationships -
Let us enter into a time of meditation, contemplation, and prayer. Feel the earth beneath your feet as it supports you. Feel the love of this community as it surrounds and enfolds you. Feel your breath as it flows in and out of your body. Listen to your heartbeat. Listen to your heart....Meditation | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Direct Experience, Letting Go
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Minister: The life of our religious community is fluid, ever changing with new lives, new visions, new possibilities and new ministries. [Length of time] ago we welcomed our intern minister, [Name]. And we have been changed....Ritual | By Kayle Rice | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Ending, Gratitude, Letting Go, Ministerial Transition, Service, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism
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Written during the February 2014 Teacher Development Renaissance Module, Pacific Southwest Liberal Religious Educator Association (LREDA) chapter. Minister: This morning we dedicate our Religious Education teachers who have been called to minister to our children, to our future. Without them to...Ritual | By Alison Crotty, Marci Beaudoin, Nancy Jasa, Sarah Roberts | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Children, Generations, Leadership, Trust, Youth/Teens
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Spirit of Life and of Love, Deep down we know that there is a greater mystery, a life and a pulse with which we are all connected. We know also that our lives are happier, healthier and more satisfying when we reach out to it, when we make it a conscious and real aspect of our lives. Yet it is so...Meditation | By Kate Lore | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Connections, Gratitude, Service
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During our darkest moments, still, there is hope. When facing our biggest challenges, still, there is hope. When all we can do is put one foot in front of the other, still, there is hope. When we can’t find the way out, still, there is hope. When all we can do to help is hold someone’s hand as...Chalice Lighting | By Nadine McSpadden | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Compassion, Despair, Empathy, Hope, Humanism, Interdependence, Journey, Love, Secular, Solidarity, Strength -
The earth is warming, the birdsong increases, the sweeter breezes brush our cheeks, and the earth holds hope in its seeds and buds....Opening | By Susan Davison Archer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth, Joy, Nature, Spring
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My friends, may the Spirit of Love be A living flame before you, A guiding star above you, A firm path below you, And a gentle presence behind you.Closing | By Eric Williams | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Love, Presence, Reverence, Transcendence, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder -
May the firmness of the earth be yours. May the flow of the water be yours. May the freedom of the air be yours. May the fierceness of the fire be yours. May all of the gifts of this life, The Below and the Above, Be with you now and remain with you always.Closing | By Eric Williams | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Paganism
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May you be filled with the blessings of this covenanted community. May you carry them with you as you depart from here. May you discover the places in the world where these blessings are needed. May you have the courage to share them....Closing | By Eric Williams | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Relationships, Service
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For years now, my conservative friends have asked me, “Do you really want to live in a welfare state?” I’ve thought about it and I’ve decided: Yes, I do. I want to live in a welfare state! If we define “welfare” in the original meaning of the word, “the condition of being or getting...Reading | By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anti-Oppression, Anti-Oppression, Compassion, Politics, Responsibility, Unity
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Source of Life, Taker of Life, Transformer of Life, Life Itself We implore you—hear us. Let us hear ourselves. Let us hear our own cries for help. Let us hear the pangs that rise from our bodies. Let us hear our bodies. Let us hear our breaths. Let us hear our living soul, its bellowing laughter...Meditation | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Humility, Imagination, Immanence
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For those who came before us, may our gratitude be long and lasting. For those who come after us, may we be the strong stewards of our commitments. May each of us know the immortality of the larger frame revealed through community....Reading | By Leslie Takahashi | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Generations, Responsibility
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Sample Teacher Dedication Ceremonies Religious Educator(s) From Liz Jones, Religious Educator, First UU Church, San Diego, CA: This morning we wish to thank you for your commitment to this church, to our values, and especially to our children. You have accepted the responsibility of helping our...Ritual | By Cindy Leitner, Liz Jones, Barbara Wells ten Hove | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Generations, Leadership
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As we leave this hallowed place, may our feet remember its feel, So that wherever we walk, we know ourselves to be on hallowed ground. May we know that we are kin with every soul, every star, every stone and leaf of grass. And may our words be gentle and our touch be kind. Blessed be.Closing | By Amy Zucker Morgenstern | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Reverence
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With faithful progress, The Great Sun has traveled, From north to south again, And on this day pauses. So we also stand still, With the whole Earth, In quiet thankfulness, To the Source of Blessing, The Giver of All Light.Ritual | By Eric Williams | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Patience, Presence
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Happy Winter Solstice! Today is the morning after the longest night and shortest day of the year. Today is the beginning of the Waxing Half of the year, from now until the Summer Solstice the day will lengthen and night will shorten....Reading | By Elizabeth Dale | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Ending, Forgiveness, Letting Go, Searching