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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Four hymns and two readings from our beloved Unitarian Universalist hymnals are featured in these images, created by Ellen Rockett for sharing on social media. I'll bring you hope when hope is hard to find (Carolyn McDade) All our lives we are in need, and others are in need of us (George Odell)...Image | February 17, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Caring, Kindness, Love, Worship -
Spirit of life and love, may we find appreciation today, and in our lives, for our embodiment. We are physical creatures: mind, spirit and soul housed within our bodies. Our bodies, our physical form, allow us to experience the world: Taste—chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. Touch—the...Meditation | By Seth Carrier-Ladd | February 12, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Body, Connections, Direct Experience, Gender, Gratitude, Humanism, Intimacy, Joy, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Secular, Sexuality, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness -
We are hungry We are eating our daily bread and bowing our heads and yet we are hungry We are thanking the farmer and the farm worker and yet we are hungry We are speaking in spaces for food that is healthy and still we are hungry We are tiring of slogans that say Feed the Children and mean feed ...Meditation | By Debra Smith | February 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Christianity, Communion (Christian), Democracy, Direct Experience, Food, Food Justice, Generosity, Human Rights, Humanism, Justice, Justice Sunday, Poverty, Prayer Practices, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Spiritual Practice, Table Grace, Thanksgiving, Transcendence, Transformation -
Today, you join in membership. This is a moment of excitement and possibility. And although I don’t wish to pull you out of this moment, I need to talk to you for a bit about a moment in your future....Reading | By Liz James | February 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Commitment, Community, Covenant, Inclusion, Living Our Faith, New Member Ceremony, Reconciliation, Relationships, Strength, Teamwork, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism -
"Desire is owning the wanting."...Quote | By Esther Perel | February 11, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Connections, Direct Experience, Humanism, Intimacy, Relationships, Sexuality -
We arrive from many different experiences and backgrounds. Some of us have trouble speaking; others are so young that they’re still learning to talk. Some of us speak English as a second language, and others of us can speak several foreign languages....Opening | By Erika Hewitt | February 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Business Meetings, Community, Conflict, Connections, Direct Experience, Integrity, Interdependence, Intimacy, Living Our Faith, Love, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Valentine's Day -
Through the windy night something is coming up the path towards the house. I have always hated to wait for things. I think I will go to meet whatever it is.Poetry | By Elizabeth Coatsworth | February 8, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Fear, Hope, Mystery
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Image | By Jennie Freiberger | February 4, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Playfulness, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism -
I want not dainty bone china-cupped, oh-so-polite, pinky-extended sips, but guzzle-by-the-gallon, drink-from-the-fire-hose- two-hundred-eighty-psi- Niagara-Falls volumes, and inch-thick slices of hearty multi-grain-hard-crusted- with-stick-in-your-teeth-seeds-bread (none of that bland supermarket...Poetry | By Peter Friedrichs | February 4, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Direct Experience, Love, Playfulness, Sexuality, Valentine's Day -
Once there was an emperor who needed a new set of clothes to wear in the grand parade. He called two of his finest cloth weavers to order one. They looked at each other and decided this would be a chance to make a little extra money from the deal. “Oh Emperor,” one said, “We have invented the...Story | By Barbara Gadon | February 2, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Courage, Direct Experience, Integrity, Living Our Faith, Responsibility, Truth -
Today we share in a blessing for losers, risk-takers, all failures far and wide.... Blessed are they who fall in the mud, who jump with gusto and rip the pants, who skin the elbows, and bruise the ego, for they shall know the sweetness of risk. Blessed are they who make giant mistakes, whose...Blessing | By Robin Tanner | February 2, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Compassion, Courage, Direct Experience, Failure, Forgiveness, Hope, Humility, Integrity, Justice, Kindness, Wisdom -
Image | By Jennie Freiberger | February 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arts & Music, Autumnal Equinox, Playfulness, Seven Principles, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism -
"The purpose of the church is to heal the consequences of lovelessness and injustice in the hearts and souls of our members so they might heal the community and together heal the world."...Quote | By Nancy Bowen | February 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Healing, Identity, Integrity, Living Our Faith, Purpose, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, Wholeness -
These banners, based on welcoming signs by Maryah Converse, are designed for use on Facebook, Twitter, and GooglePlus. The banners' designer, Ellen Rockett, incorporated background designs from 19th century drawings of mosque art released by the New York Public Library's Digital Collection.Image | By Maryah Converse, Ellen Rockett | January 29, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Home, Hospitality, Immigration, Inclusion, International, Islam, Multiculturalism -
These banners, based on welcoming signs by Maryah Converse, are designed for use on Facebook, Twitter, and GooglePlus. The banners' designer, Ellen Rockett, incorporated background designs from 19th century drawings of mosque art released by the New York Public Library's Digital Collection.Image | By Maryah Converse, Ellen Rockett | January 29, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Hospitality, International, Islam, Multiculturalism, Peace, Relationships -
Once, many grey autumns ago, I came upon a tree. The tree, a poplar, had dropped all of its leaves but for one, just one. Exactly one leaf remained near the topmost part of the tree, fluttering in the breeze like a little reddish-brown flag....Meditation | By David M. Horst | January 25, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Autumnal Equinox, Connections, Contemplation, Despair, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth-Centered, Letting Go, Nature, Reverence, Samhain, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice / Yule -
I saw the parade pass by with the last soldier marching. I saw politicians stand by not in pride, but in shame as they recited the names of the dead and admitted their failure. I saw the marching band step in time to silence, no more hymns of glory could they play. I saw mothers and fathers say,...Meditation | By David M. Horst | January 25, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Arrogance, Death, Direct Experience, Ending, History, Memorial Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, War -
Holy grandparents of the Universe...energies of creation...endless mysteries of life: You are the music that sounded before our world was born, sound and silence woven throughout the ages, far beyond the most profound wisdom humanity has been able to touch....Prayer | By Maureen Killoran | January 25, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Awe, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Hope, Humility, Paganism, Prayer Practices, Presence, Transcendence, Wonder -
The Principles of Unitarian Universalism can be conveyed through different words, and different visual forms.Image | January 14, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, Worship -
We light this chalice on the brink of a new year Letting go of what has been Open and hopeful for what may come Renewed, restored, ready To live Life fully anew May we move forward with intention. Note: this chalice lighting can be read in unison or responsively.Chalice Lighting | By Lois Van Leer | January 14, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beginnings, Chinese New Year, Ending, Healing, Health, Hope, Letting Go, New Year, Purpose, Rosh Hashanah, Strength, Vision, Wholeness