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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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 -
The first stop on U.S. soil after a deployment is the airport. From there, it’s all downhill until you get to see your family and loved ones again. But the airport is its own scene when you’re a soldier in uniform. On my trip home, I’m reminded of the last time I was in the airport—returning...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), America, Direct Experience, Ending, Memorial Day, Military, Military Service, Purpose, Sacrifice, Service, Veterans Day -
As I ride through Kandahar City’s Sub-District 9, I see a naked dust-covered kid playing along the road. That is not the strangest thing. But when he picks up a large rock and hurls it at the truck, I wonder aloud, “What the hell? Who lets their kid run around naked throwing rocks? What kind of...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anger, Children, Compassion, Conflict, Connections, Diversity, Division, Military, Military Service, Oppression, Veterans Day, War -
I lean back in the chair and exhale a long breath of thick white cigar smoke into the night sky. It rises upward, swirls in a light breeze, and disappears. I think to myself, “Damn this is a good cigar, a good night, and a good place to be for these few moments.” Earlier today, I walked through...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Direct Experience, Gratitude, Memorial Day, Military, Military Service, Presence, Purpose, Service, Veterans Day -
My son has sent me a “Build-A-Bear.” Dressed in the latest digital camouflage ACUs.* (Build-A-Bear hasn’t yet caught up with multicam.) It came with a note in my eight-year-old’s handwriting: “Press left paw for I love you and I miss you.” Sure enough, when I press the left paw, my...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Grief, Love, Memorial Day, Military, Military Service, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Service, Veterans Day -
I sit alone, planning the rest of the day. Last night, I was joking and smoking, in broken Pashto, with the resident contingent of the AUP.* I introduced them to the beauty of Dominican tobacco, hand-rolled and perfectly aged. They all seemed to enjoy this symbol of Western democratic values, the...Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Generosity, Gratitude, International, Islam, Kindness, Military, Military Service, Peace, Unity, Veterans Day, War -
“You sargin or commandant?” a young Afghan lieutenant asks as he points to the cross on my chest. I try to explain what a chaplain is. In the end, he suggests Army mullah, and I agree. Not the most accurate description, but the most meaningful for him. Chaplain has little meaning for him.Meditation | By George A Tyger | May 17, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, America, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Diversity, Humanism, International, Memorial Day, Peace, Secular -
Oh power of springtime, Spirit of green grasses and warm breezes; Goddess of creativity of birth of life renewed You sing all about us at this time. The birds call your sacred name. Buds burst forth with your vestment....Prayer | By George A Tyger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Awe, Body, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Grace, Nature, Vernal Equinox