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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Like the cosmic dust following after a great Perseid meteor, we are the living remnants of time and all that has come to pass in its wake—briefly shining lights on the way to eternity. We are only visible to the naked eye for an instant. Take this moment to shine like the start dust you are. May...Benediction | By Mary Edes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Beauty, Earth, Earth-Centered, Generations, Transcendence, Wonder -
Universal Spirit of Life, God of many names, Source of all being in which we live and breathe and have our being, We come together in prayer even though many us struggle with what that means. We come together before that which is greater than us, although we struggle to say what that is....Prayer | By Krista Taves | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Conflict, Diversity, God, Presence, Spiritual Practice, Suffering, Unity -
The storm outside echoes the storm raging within my soul. So many people in need… so much pain, so much grief. Too many causes and campaigns fill my mailboxes, sap my energy, beg for my money. Three things I must do...only three things? You've got to be kidding—which three do I choose? Books and...Meditation | By Jan Taddeo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Calling, Choice, Direct Experience, Listening, Peace, Power, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism -
Reader 1: They teach us to read in black and white. Reader 2: Truth is this—the rest is false. Reader 3: You are whole—or broken. Reader 2: Who you love is acceptable—or not. Reader 1: My life tells its truth in many hues. Reader 2: We are taught to think in "either/or"s Reader 1: I believe...Reading | By Leslie Takahashi | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Diversity, Inclusion, Unity
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With thankful hearts we have come together this morning to celebrate the bounty of the day, to bask in the warmth of this community, to share with friends the tides of our lives, to entertain, perennially, our hopes for a better future....Opening | By Alison Wohler | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Unity
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There was a Mystery. She was a great Mystery. And nobody understood or appreciated her mainly because there was no one else around to appreciate or understand much of anything.Story | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth Day, God, Mystery, Playfulness
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Great Spirit of Life, be with us now as we witness these, our youth. By laying our hands on you, we infuse you with the power of our love. The many generations of families who have participated in the life of this congregation have left for you the legacy of their love and commitment....Meditation | By Paul Langston-Daley | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Generations, Solidarity, Unity, Youth/Teens
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As part of my seminary training I spent a summer working as a hospital chaplain, assigned to the psychiatric floor. I found it to be deeply gratifying work, and I was able to build relationships with many of the patients. Some were long-term and others had a quick turnaround. Some were what we...Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Calling, Identity, Meaning, Self-Respect, Unitarian Universalism
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Today is the second of our three-part sermon series dedicated to Rev. Forrest Church. As I noted last week, Church spent nearly 30 years as the senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in New York City....Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Limitations, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Service, Unitarian Universalism
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How clearly I remember it. My husband, Dan, and our daughter, Sarah, had spent the night in Taos, New Mexico. The next morning we set out for the pueblo, an ancient village inhabited by indigenous people known as the Pueblo. Clearly tourists, easily identified as European Americans, we were...Sermon | By Jan Carlsson-Bull | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), America, Anti-Oppression, Anti-Oppression, Healing, History, Indigenous American, Indigenous Peoples Day, Race/Ethnicity, Secular
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We give thanks for the animals Who live close to nature, Who remind us of the sanctities of birth and death, Who do not trouble their lives with foreboding or grief, Who let go each moment as it passes, And accept each new one as it comes With serenity and grace....Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Acceptance, Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Peace
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In this religious community we reach back into the past to honor those who came before us and those who have given much so that we may be here today. And we reach forward with hands of welcome to embrace those who have newly joined our Fellowship....Closing | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Direct Experience, Generations, Gratitude, New Member Ceremony, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Unitarian Universalism, Unity
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Spirit of Life and Love, We have gathered again out of our separateness to know that we are not alone. In our fears, we are not alone. In our grasping for peace, finding it in fleeting moments, and losing it again to some turmoil of the mind and heart, we are not alone....Meditation | By Victoria Weinstein | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Peace, Unity, Wholeness
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Opening words (by Tess Baumberger) Reader 1: There will be a brightness to this day Even if there be but cloud and rain outdoors. Reader 2: The brightness of this day comes from within, From this gladly gathered company....Ritual | By Tess Baumberger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Connections
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One day I was sitting in a coffee shop downtown when I noticed a couple of street corner evangelists setting up shop across the street—an older and a younger man (possibly his son?), wearing dark suits and ties and wielding King James Version bibles. They commenced taking turns preaching the...Sermon | By Richard R Davis | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), Belief, Commitment, Faith, Salvation, Searching, Unitarian Universalism
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Pity the poor dandelion. It is, in many ways, nature’s perfect plant. With a tap root that grows more than a foot long, it can survive in climates of scorching heat and bitter cold. Its tender, young greens make a tasty addition to any salad, or they can be boiled like fiddleheads or as a tea...Sermon | By Peter Friedrichs | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, America, Anti-Oppression, Anti-Oppression, Immigration, Immigration, Respect
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In his 1947 biography of Theodore Parker, the American historian Henry Steele Commager wrote about Parker's first trip to Europe: There was everything to be seen and much to be remembered, and Parker invaded Europe with the ruthless thoroughness that ever characterized him: he carried the towns b...Sermon | By Helen Lutton Cohen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Activism, History, Unitarianism
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In his book, Facing Death, Averil Stedeford recounts the following story about a woman who was diagnosed with a terminal illness: Mrs. N. was a very particular housewife who felt she should clean her home every day. She did not entertain often, for it was such an effort; everything had to be...Sermon | By Helen Lutton Cohen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Aging, Death, Fear, Trust
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There was a fascinating story on the public radio evening news on Wednesday: The town of Port Arthur, Texas, a conservative, middle American community, is building a memorial to its best-known native daughter—Janis Joplin. Janis Joplin—rock star, rebel, outrageous dresser, screamer and shouter,...Sermon | By Helen Lutton Cohen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Brokenness, Diversity, Empathy, Relationships
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We call this light before us in hope that we may always remain a strong community, working together to make the world a better place. When we are grieving or sad, When we are challenged, When we need help, This flame guides us out of the darkness. When we are cheerful, When we celebrate, When we...Chalice Lighting | By Atticus Palmer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Challenge, Community, Generosity, Hope, Joy, Playfulness, Responsibility, Sorrow, Strength, Unity