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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We don't live into our redemption very much, or get to win the fight over death. Jesus’ resurrection is a symbol and a promise that we are redeemed and that death’s dominion is not the final word. On Easter the Deep Magic breaks through. We proclaim and sing that love’s redeeming work is done...Quote | By Sarah C Stewart | April 14, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Christianity, Death, Easter, Living Our Faith, Love, Purpose, Redemption, Salvation -
Our words for the chalice lighting were written from the perspective of Jessica Star Rockers. Perhaps her specific memories will elicit your own. She writes, "Every Sunday morning growing up my father would take us to mass at St. Peter’s Catholic church....Chalice Lighting | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Caring, Children, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Work -
We recognize and honor today every dad who stood as their child shouted at them in anger or frustration. Every dad who tried to understand their child’s clothing choices, new hairdo, or new tattoo. Every dad who suddenly realized their child might be right and was willing to listen, and every dad...Meditation | By Amy Petrie Shaw | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Children, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Humanism, Parents, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
Each of us has gifts and wounds from those who fathered us. This is inevitable; even the best fathers in the world disappoint their children sometimes. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to grow up. But I know that some wounds are deeper than others. Some people’s hearts have been broken by their...Reading | By Myke Johnson | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Acceptance, Children, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Growth, Healing, Humanism, Pain, Parents, Secular -
I invite you into a period of quiet meditation. Close your eyes if you wish, and get comfortable in your seat. Think about the father-figure you carry in your heart. I invite you to remember the gifts and the wounds you received from that person or persons. If any feelings come up, just breathe...Meditation | By Myke Johnson | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Children, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Healing, Love, Men, Relationships, Secular, Unitarian Universalism
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On this Father’s Day, we recognize the vast spectrum of experience and the often-complicated feelings that surround such a celebration. We honor those fathers and father figures in our lives who have loved, supported, encouraged and instructed us, and we seek to share these gifts with others. We...Meditation | By Rod Richards | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Children, Direct Experience, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Generations, Healing, Men, Relationships, Secular -
Here here is where you can lay it down Lay down all that you have carried the weight of the world that has rounded your back leaving you aching and exhausted Here here is where healing begins where burdens are set down and alongside one another’s their magnitude does not seem as great Here here i...Opening | By Joan Javier-Duval | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Acceptance, Brokenness, Community, Healing, Hospitality, Unitarian Universalism -
Open your hearts, my friends, And let yourself feel the reality of absence. Open your hearts, and acknowledge That we gather in the presence of death. Open your hearts. Make room For the healing balm of connection, the release of forgiveness. No matter what pain dwells within your spirit, Or how...Opening | By Maureen Killoran | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Forgiveness, Grief, Healing, Love, Memorial Services, Mourning, Relationships, Sorrow, Unitarian Universalism -
May whatever gatherings or activities we engage in this Sunday afternoon help restore us — our connections to one another; our sense of hope, beauty, and fun in this world; our deep knowing that we have to take care of ourselves and each other with love and joy if we are to soulfully survive the...Benediction | By Heather Rion Starr | April 13, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Balance, Connections, Direct Experience, Joy, Playfulness, Presence, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
“We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through.” — Author unknown Standing roadside, stranded, watching thousands of dollars rise in the smoke coming from under the hood, it’s easier to fight about who forgot to put oil in the car than to...Reflection | By Teresa Honey Youngblood | April 12, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Anger, Community, Conflict, Self-Respect -
I come on Sunday feeling weary, having worn out the snooze button on my alarm clock. I come on Sunday feeling frightened, having seared my eyes reading the latest news. I come on Sunday feeling burdened, having fretted about my work day worries....Offering | By Jessica Lin | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Faith, Generosity, Living Our Faith, Money, Responsibility, Unitarian Universalism
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We give to remind ourselves how many gifts we have to offer. We give to remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We give because we believe in music and sacred space. We give with the faith that, together, we have enough.Offering | By Kristin Collins | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Money, Unitarian Universalism
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I invite you to rise in body or in spirit, and join hands with your neighbors. Hands touch hands. These hands you hold now, once held _________’s hands. Hand by hand we touch those who are here with us, and those who are no longer with us. And hand over hand, we touch all of humanity. Let our...Benediction | By Matt Alspaugh | April 6, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Death, Memorial Services, Relationships -
"We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and...Reflection | By Daniel Gregoire | April 5, 2017 | From Braver/Wiser -
Before beginning, dramatically turn your back on the congregation and children, and place a smudge on cheek. It is important that this be a smudge that is large enough for the congregation to see, but does not cover the whole face. One cheek is good. Turn around....Time for All Ages | By Karen G. Johnston | April 4, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, Anti-Oppression, Community, Covenant, Direct Experience -
Say it with me, loud or soft: “All of us need all of us to make it.”Litany | By Megan Foley, Julián Jamaica Soto | April 1, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Anti-Oppression, Commitment, Direct Experience, Humanism, Interdependence, Multiculturalism, Race/Ethnicity, Salvation, Secular, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Vulnerability -
Worship Leader: In this moment of worship we call to mind those times of failure and regret common to all of us. We remember first, in silence, those times when we have failed to do all that we meant to do, or through our actions failed to be all we were meant to be....Prayer of Confession | By Rosemary Bray McNatt | March 31, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Grace, Healing, Integrity, Living Our Faith, Relationships, Responsibility, Self-Respect, Unitarian Universalism -
He phoned more than an hour ago to say he was on his way home. But I have yet to hear the scrape of the iron gate, the rattling keys, so I worry. Most married women fret about a tardy husband: black women like myself worry more....Reflection | By Rosemary Bray McNatt | March 29, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #BlackLivesMatter, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), America, Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Family, Fear, Home, Humanism, Multiculturalism, Oppression, Privilege, Race/Ethnicity, Secular, Unitarian Universalism
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We are sometimes selfish, sometimes complicit with systems that do harm, sometimes the cause of pain and injustice. Until we can hold compassion for ourselves and others—until we can be forgiving when we fall short—our love is incomplete.Reflection | By Sean Parker Dennison | March 29, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Anti-Oppression, Brokenness, Compassion, Conscience, Direct Experience, Disability, Growth, Honesty, Humanism, Multiculturalism, Secular, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Vulnerability -
Characters: Narrator, Very Important Person, Enemies (including Leader of the Enemies), Spider, and at least four Cave Rocks. Materials needed: Grey, silver, or white yarn Narrator: I’d like to share a story with you today – a story about a simple little spider who did an amazing thing. You’ll...Time for All Ages | By Diana Davies | March 28, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Acceptance, Animals, Caring, Earth, Inclusion, Interdependence, International, Kindness, Nature, Salvation, Secular, Self-Respect