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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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  • 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 straw-filled manger in a stable, with the Christmas star in the window
    Advent encourages us to be present in each moment of waiting.
    Reflection | By Megan Lloyd Joiner | December 7, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Contemplation, Patience, Presence, Sacred, Worship
  • Holding a music binder and gesturing, Paul Vasile leads a group in singing
    A song-centered live webinar.
    December 6, 2022 | From WorshipLab
    Tagged as: Worship Tips
  • A Progress Pride flag on a flagpole, with a blue sky and bright sun behind it.
    Queer joy is resistance.
    Reflection | By cristy cardinal | November 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #LoveResists, #Pride, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Community, Direct Experience, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Earthrise as seen from the moon's surface
    May your kindness abound like hydrogen, which fuels every star.
    Blessing | By Stacey Elza | November 21, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Earth, Imagination, Nature, Science, Secular, Worship
  • Against a field of early evening stars, a path winds its way around a grassy hill and out of view.
    Little changes can snowball into massive impacts.
    Reflection | By JD Stillwater | November 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Choice, Gratitude, Imagination, Wonder, Worship
  • A starry night sky and and an atmospheric glow blanket the well-lit southeastern African coast as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above.
    All that we are, together and individually, is part of the abundance of the universe.
    Responsive Reading | By Julián Jamaica Soto | November 11, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Canvass/Pledge, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Interdependence, Stewardship, Worship
  • On a chain-link fence, frayed rope or twine has been used to weave a heart shape.
    Of all the things "faith" can mean, to me it means believing in us.
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | November 9, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Choice, Democracy, Living Our Faith, Power, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A broad, green leaf held by a Black woman's hands. A small tattoo of a heart is on her wrist.
    Love is reaching through the generations with expectations that I live through challenging times.
    Reflection | By Melissa Jeter | November 2, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Earth, Fall, Family, Generations, Healing, Love, Presence, Worship
  • A Black person with their back to the camera sits, holding the hand of a Black elder who's lying in a hospital bed.
    How much notice would I want ahead of time before I die?
    Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | October 26, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Choice, Death, Ending, Psychology, Secular, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A branch contains a dozen monarch butterfly chrysales, in various stages of development. A monarch's wing pattern is visible in one of them.
    Witnessing the lifecycle of a monarch butterfly has made me a better chaplain.
    Reflection | By Laura Shay | October 19, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Your spiritual quest begins now.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Mystery, Religion, Six Sources, Wonder
  • A crow, wings outstretched, soars over a beautiful beach.
    You are loved beyond your wildest imaginings by the spirit of creation.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Acceptance, Awe, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, God, Interdependence, Love, Mental Health, Mystery, Wonder
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Can we enfold other people in the way we long to be enfolded?
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Healing, Hope, Love
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    The solution is finding a reliable person to check in with.
    Quote | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Depression, Friendship, Mental Health, Secular, Self-Care
  • Cover of Stubborn Grace: Faith, Mental Illness & Demanding A Blessing
    I didn’t know the human heart could hold so much love before I met this congregation.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Community, Love, Salvation, Spiritual Practice, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    The only way we survive this modern agony is together.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Brokenness, Community, Compassion, Connections, Globalism, Humanism, Mental Health, Unity
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Can I love all of me, even the peevish parts?
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Buddhism, Compassion, Direct Experience, Forgiveness, Love, Mental Health
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    I choose to believe in the God who makes me kinder.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Compassion, Depression, Direct Experience, God, Imagination, Mental Health, Unitarian Universalism
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Our family secret is soul-sucking depression.
    Reading | By Kate Landis | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Depression, Direct Experience, Family, Healing, Hope, Love, Mental Health, Secular, Truth, Worship