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An unlit chalice on a church altar

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.

LEADER RESOURCE 2 Rituals to Welcome a New Child
a medieval window from the Burrell Collection in Glasgow, Scotland, depicting the Nativity
Islamic prayer beads or Subha inside the Süleymaniye Moque (Istanbul).
An altar filled with candles, photos, and flowers

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5

  • A wisp of smoke rises from an extinguished candle.
    Hope continues, uncertain and true, like candlelight, ready to spark again.
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Kevin Jagoe | November 2, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Autumnal Equinox, Despair, Disaster or Crisis, Fall, Hope, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • A black-and-white photo of people singing (only one person's face and outstretched arms are visible; the rest are torsos)
    As flame is to spirit, so spirit is to breath, and breath to song. Though we extinguish the flame in this sanctuary, may we tend it in our hearts until we meet again.
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Becky Laurent | June 8, 2019 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Arts & Music, Body, Humanism, Love, Music Sunday, Unitarian Universalism
  • etched glass chalice made by Wade Stephen Baker, Kwakiutl Artist.
    We have come to share the loss we have felt in (Name) passing and some examples of the joy we carry from her/his/their* life. This we have done. But before we extinguish this chalice, let us acknowledge that we will not – that we cannot – extinguish the love she/he/they showed us; or the memory...
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Greg Ward | April 25, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Interdependence, Love, Memorial Services
  • An unlit chalice on a church altart.
    When we take fire from our chalice, it does not become less. It becomes more. And so we extinguish our chalice, but we take its light and warmth with us, multiplying their power by all of our lives, and sharing it with the world.
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Amy Zucker Morgenstern | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Abundance, Activism, Calling, Christianity, Community, Generosity, IllUUmination, Imbolc / Brighid's Day / Candlemas, New Year, Paganism, Seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Lighting a candle is somewhat like the beginning of life. If that is true, then perhaps extinguishing a candle is like the ending of life. But death may not be the end of us. We live on in the memories of friends and loved ones....
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Lee Huebert | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: All Souls Day, Death, Día de los Muertos, Letting Go, Memorial Services, Mystery, Purpose, Remembrance Day, Unitarian Universalism, Wonder