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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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  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    It’s so [easy] to see the one disabled person and say, She needs a cure so she can fit into our world.
    Quote | By Rebekah Taussig | September 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Anti-Oppression, Body, Direct Experience, Disability, Justice, Oppression, Wholeness
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    When I was small and just learning how to do life in my body, I didn’t hesitate, didn’t hold back, didn’t worry how it would look, didn’t look for cues or ask for a line. My imagination ruled... I was entirely free to be, driven by the innovation my body inspired.
    Reading | By Rebekah Taussig | September 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Body, Dignity, Direct Experience, Freedom, Justice, Oppression, Resilience, Wholeness
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Shame seems to be a bestselling product pumped out of all these crushing systems.
    Reading | By Rebekah Taussig | September 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Anti-Oppression, Brokenness, Direct Experience, Disability, Identity, Justice, Oppression, Resilience
  • A white pillar candle is lit against a dark blue background.
    All are welcome from everywhere.
    Chalice Lighting | By anastasia birosh | September 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Hospitality, Inclusion, Worship
  • A person's hands shape a clay vessel on a potter's wheel.
    I want to be shaped in a way that lets me serve the eternal.
    Reflection | By Jake Morrill | September 22, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Contemplation, God, Meaning, Presence, Purpose, Transcendence, Worship
  • Against a vibrant golden plain, a regal lioness surveys her surroundings.
    We need resilience, perseverance, and persistence.
    Poetry | By Summer Albayati | September 21, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Faith, International, Islam, Patience, Resilience, Worship
  • Sunbeams break through a layer of clouds over Rioja Alavesa, Laguardia, Spain, with rippling mountains stretching out.
    I believe in your grace and protection and cannot imagine them slipping through the cracks.
    Reading | By Vanessa Titang | September 15, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Contemplation, Mystery, Presence, Searching, Transcendence, Worship
  • Against a black background, the lens looks up to towering white trees, their branches nearly touching in a thick canopy without leaves.
    May we know that our interconnectedness is a miracle, and may it be a refuge for us.
    Prayer | By Carter Smith | September 15, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Compassion, God, Grace, Immanence, Presence, Worship
  • On a rocky ledge overlooking the wildnerness, a Black man wearing a backpack holds a map.
    Dear Creative Life Force, the infinite healing power of creativity is the best gift you've given to us.
    Reflection | By Erica Shadowsong | September 15, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Creativity, Direct Experience, Family, Identity, Personal Stories, Self-Respect, Worship
  • A person holds their palm to the camera, obscuring their face. Their palm is painted with streaks of bright paint in yellows, reds, and blues.
    My God lives in the margins and witnesses to the broken-hearted.
    Reflection | By Jami Yandle | September 8, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Worship
  • Six adults sitting in a circle comfort and listen to a seventh person, who appears distressed.
    Somehow, the things that are too much to bear alone are bearable together.
    Reflection | By Elizabeth Stevens | September 1, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Caring, Disaster or Crisis, Grief, Resilience, Trauma, Wisdom, Worship
  • text of title
    The 8th Principle is about actively dismantling racism.
    Reading | By Shannon Lang | August 23, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Humanism, Integrity, Race/Ethnicity, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    The following is an excerpt from the Theological Statement that opens the May 2018 Report of the UUMA Ableism Task Force. The members of that Task Force were Rev. Josh Pawelek and Rev. Barbara F. Meyers, co-chairs; Rev. Mark Belletini; Rev. Erika Hewitt; Rev. Evan Keely; and Rev. Theresa I. Soto.
    Reading | August 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Anti-Oppression, Body, Disability, Inclusion, Wholeness, Worship
  • A rust-colored leaf floats on the surface of a pond, and under the surface of the water there are stones and rocks. The surface of the water reflects the hand that dropped the leaf onto the water.
    Watershed moments are turning points, moments that permanently alter an understanding.
    Opening | By Martina Thompson | August 5, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth-Centered, Nature, Unitarian Universalism, Water Communion, Worship
  • A wash of green, blue, and purple light blending together.
    Church is for helping people stay human in the face of inhumane circumstances.
    Audio Recording | By Erika Hewitt, Elizabeth Stevens | August 2, 2021 | From WorshipLab
    Tagged as: Brokenness, Disaster or Crisis, Presence, Self-Care, Trauma, Worship Tips
  • In the background, a group of Black people stand on a church chancel. In the foreground, from behind, a black person stands in their pew with arms raised in a "praise" position.
    When we learn to dismantle the markers and habits of white supremacy in our worship life, we get free together.
    Leader Resource | By Erika Hewitt, Julica Hermann de la Fuente | July 30, 2021 | From WorshipLab
    Tagged as: #8thPrinciple, #BlackLivesMatter, Anti-Oppression, Equity, Justice, Worship Tips
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    When you doubt yourself or feel afraid; when you fail, as we all do at times, remember that spark—always there sustaining and revitalizing you.
    Blessing | By Rita Capezzi | July 28, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Bridging Ceremony, Worship, Young Adults, Youth/Teens
  • A man in US Navy dress whites stands on the grass in a military cemetery looking at the headstones
    We collectively share the sorrow of those individuals in the armed services who lost their lives in war.
    Prayer | By Jennifer Cottrill | July 27, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Death, Memorial Day, Military, Worship
  • A hand holds a slide up to the light, on which is a dated image of a woman and man posing outside.
    Sometimes it feels like Father’s Day is more about enshrining a myth than it is about facing the realities of fatherhood.
    Meditation | By Ryan Urie | July 26, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, History, Parents, Secular, Worship
  • A blurred photo of a leafy tree against a blue sky, as if a breeze were blowing through the entire photo.
    May I speak from my learning and not from my habit.
    Meditation | By Deb Cannon | July 26, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Change, Character, Growth, Integrity, Worship