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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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  • a tall glass vase, rectangular, with a layer of soil at the bottom and about 8 striations of colored sand poured over it.
    We can plant the seeds of love and justice in the world.
    Time for All Ages | By mandi huizenga | March 29, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, America, Anti-Oppression, History, Humanism, Justice, Race/Ethnicity, Secular, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Two tablets of finely grained black stones used to assay gold. Traces of gold can be seen on the stone at left.
    The spiritual touchstones I trust are found in community.
    Homily | By Joel Miller | March 28, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Community, Covenant, Discernment, Identity, Living Our Faith, Resilience, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Several rows of people, seen mid-torso, holding outstretched hands, in church.
    It is in gathering that we find our hope.
    Opening | By Pat Uribe-Lichty | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Hope, Interdependence, Solidarity, Unity
  • UU Church of Rockford IL stained glass chalice
    Our ancestors in faith acted with courage to bring hope and safety.
    Chalice Lighting | By Pat Uribe-Lichty | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Generations, History, Unitarianism, Worship
  • Dried stalks of cotton, against a similarly beige landscape.
    Out of mystery we are born, and mystery receives us when we die.
    Blessing | By Michelle Buhite | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Character, Death, Ending, Memorial Services, Mystery, Worship
  • A small droplet of water balanced on the leaf of a plant
    Water sustains, gives, and yields to / Life.
    Reading | By Melissa Jeter | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Balance, Earth, Earth-Centered, Imagination, Nature, Water Communion, Worship
  • Strips of fabric in bold colors -- magenta, saffron, indigo -- hang vertically.
    Love cannot fix everything, but it can keep us company.
    Reading | By Jen Crow | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Balance, Caring, Direct Experience, Gratitude, Humanism, Love, Relationships
  • A close-up of the growth point, from above, of a bright green and yellow plant.
    Taking what we need and leaving the rest behind isn’t only a one time thing. We can do it anytime.
    Reading | By Jen Crow | March 24, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Character, Growth, Humanism, Integrity, Psychology, Secular, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A mother and daughter, holding hands, walk on a path through a forest. They are smiling at one another, and are seen from behind.
    May we forever perceive the ways we can empower others.
    Reflection | By Sara Palmer | March 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Coming-of-Age, Compassion, Growth, Parents, Power, Worship
  • A hand-written sign says, "My body is sacred and so are my choices."
    How white evangelicals became the most powerful voting bloc in the U.S. and the fuel of the American white supremacy engine.
    Reading | By Glennon Doyle | March 16, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: America, Choice, Politics, Reproductive Justice, Secular, Women, Worship
  • A close up of two competitors, mid-match, at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Shinbun Championship (2017).
    White supremacy culture tells me that I’m only "good" if I’m perfect, treating all falls as hard stops.
    Reflection | By Christine Slocum | March 16, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Challenge, Ending, Failure, Growth, Humanism, Letting Go, Secular, Worship
  • Against a blue sky, a branch with delicate yellow blossoms.
    Sing in our hearts all the stirrings of compassion for the oppressed, for those who are scared and hurting.
    Prayer | By Nica Eaton-Guinn | March 10, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Compassion, Disaster or Crisis, Justice, Living Our Faith, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A close-up photo of woven fabric in rich tones of blue, with yellow, red, and purple threads.
    When covenant / breaks, we need to come home / to trust.
    Reading | By Frances Koziar | March 9, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Covenant, Doubt, Humanism, Interdependence, Living Our Faith, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Bless your intention, to love, to comfort, to draw close.
    Blessing | By Kye Flannery | March 3, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Leadership, Worship
  • A person's head and shoulders, viewed from behind, with bright rays of colored light forming an aura.
    Whether you have made promises, broken promises, or are renewing your promises, you are beloved and you are welcome here.
    Opening | By Joan Javier-Duval | March 2, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Acceptance, Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Let us grieve for our own pain, as oppressions / come between us, as sharp / as broken glass.
    Poetry | By Frances Koziar | March 2, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Courage, Integrity, Worship
  • Seen from behind, at the beach, a father has his arm lovingly wrapped around his child's shoulder.
    Happy kids are safer kids, because happy kids have adults they can ask for help.
    Reflection | By Quinn Gormley | March 2, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Children, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Humanism, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Parents, Pride Sunday, Secular, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    It’s as if something was born from nothing.
    Reading | By Anya Sammler-Michael | March 1, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas
  • A menorah with red candles lies on the open pages of Hebrew scripture.
    We could have assimilated but instead / we rededicate
    Affirmation | By Leah Ongiri | March 1, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Hanukkah, Identity, Judaism, Strength, Tradition, Worship
  • In the middle of a Pride parade, a trans woman in a white cowboy hat poses with a rainbow fan.
    May the rainbow of love enfold you; may your fluidity never be hindered.
    Blessing | By Cricket Hall | March 1, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Identity, Inclusion, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Worship