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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The words we cast to fill the silence left by one we loved never are enough.Poetry | By David Breeden | June 2, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Contemplation, Death, Grief, Meaning, Memorial Services, Silence -
Breathe in for caregivers of all kinds who give of themselves to make other people’s lives better, more whole.Prayer | By Sara Goodman | June 2, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Family, Generations, Grief, Imagination, Mother's Day, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism -
Set your compass to point towards hope and begin your journey home.Opening | By Lindasusan Ulrich | June 2, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Brokenness, Community, Healing, Wholeness -
A quick flash that makes you doubt your senses— But then a tiny ember glows on the braided twine And brings a flame to life. Soon you find a candle sitting on a table, Desolate until its wick touches yours, And suddenly the brightness doubles; In an instant the warmth has grown. This intensified...Poetry | By Lindasusan Ulrich | June 2, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community -
I feel sad to lose a spiritual practice that I can now recognize, honor, and appreciate.Reflection | By Rayla D. Mattson | June 2, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Direct Experience, Letting Go, Secular, Worship -
Memorial Day is not to be celebrated. It is to be observed, scrutinized, and witnessed on behalf of the true witnesses of our human failure to love our neighbor as ourselves.Reflection | By George A Tyger | May 26, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: America, Death, Direct Experience, Family, Grief, Memorial Day, Military, Sacrifice, Secular, Service, Worship -
Committing to right relationship means being willing to revise our practices when we learn that previously accepted habits might be harmful.Reflection | By Christine Slocum | May 19, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #COVID19, Body, Community, Worship -
It takes all sorts of caring to create a supportive community.Blessing | By Liz Weber | May 11, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Caring, Compassion, Humanism, Interdependence, Presence, Stewardship -
May you know that your care is powerful.Ritual | By Liz Weber | May 11, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Compassion, Friendship, Worship -
It’s through our shared interdependence that we are sheltered and saved.Reflection | By Karen G. Johnston | May 10, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Compassion, Connections, Fear, Interdependence, Relationships, Service, Worship -
Spirit of Life, remind me to release that which no longer serves me so that I may be present to joy.Reflection | By Katie Romano Griffin | May 5, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Acceptance, Children, Family, Generations, Home, Mothers, Parents, Worship -
Spirit of Life, spirit of earth, spirit of all that breathes and all that is: we love you.Prayer | By Laura Horton-Ludwig | May 3, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Nature, Responsibility, Stewardship, Worship -
Here we gather to celebrate hope, and the infinite possibilities of love.Chalice Lighting | By Tom Goldsmith | April 28, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Freedom, Hope, Love, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Worship -
I am no longer a victim of change: I am shaping the world that is to come.Reflection | By Martha Durkee-Neuman | April 28, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Beginnings, Change, Direct Experience, Ending, God, Patience, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Resilience, Worship -
May we be with one another in solidarity and struggle.Reflection | By Tuli Patel | April 21, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Brokenness, Family, Hope, Secular, Solidarity, Worship -
Your individual niceness is inadequate to deal with the brutality and the viciousness of what white body supremacy has done to my people.Quote | By Resmaa Menakem | April 20, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, Anti-Oppression, Body, History, Race/Ethnicity -
Inhale—you are Creation. Exhale—you are Creator.Poetry | By Jennifer Pratt-Walter | April 19, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Earth-Centered, God, Goddess, Mystery, Worship -
Start by telling the story of your mistake. Keep practicing! This is a tool you can use in many different situations.Time for All Ages | By Maria Bavier | April 19, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Forgiveness, Friendship, Healing, Humanism, Relationships, Secular, Worship -
We are all able In different ways With various strengths and talents. We are all holy Part of the universe And the interdependent web. We light this chalice Cherishing our differences And holding each other in sacredness.Chalice Lighting | By Cindy Fesgen | April 17, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Diversity, Inclusion, Worship -
As we light this flame, we remember friends and loved ones near and far and we give thanks. As the fire burns brightly, we open our minds and hearts to new ways of being and we feel alive....Chalice Lighting | By Leia Durland-Jones | April 17, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Love, Worship