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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

Search Words for Worship Services

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7

  • 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
  • red leaves resting on a carpe of dead leaves
    This hymn (sheet music is available) was written as a Celtic-style harvest song. Come as the summer turns t'ward autumn; Come as the long-night stars climb high'r. Come as time's unceasing turning Wheels us 'round 'round the harvest fire. Chorus: So we go From daylight toward the night. So we go,...
    Music | By Patrick DeSimio | April 25, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Autumnal Equinox, Earth, Earth-Centered, Fall, Nature, Wisdom
  • A faded, pink rose bloom
    Now the autumn shudders In the rose's root, Far and wide the ladders Lean among the fruit. Now the autumn clambers Up the trellised frame And the rose remembers The dust from which it came. Brighter than the blossom On the rose's bough Sits the wizened orange, Bitter berry now; Beauty never...
    Poetry | By Edna St. Vincent Millay | August 26, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Autumnal Equinox, Beauty, Death, Earth-Centered, Fall, Humility, Samhain
  • In a black and white photo, someone pours milk into a large pot of mashed potatos. Behind him, someone else prepares food at a kitchen counter.
    Let us join hands and hearts in gratitude on this wondrous day, where we have the abundance of our lives before us. We remember, on this day of bounty, all those who do not have enough, who are afraid, who are lonely, and who suffer....
    Meditation | By Naomi King | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Abundance, Commitment, Compassion, Connections, Fall, Food, Generosity, Gratitude, Poverty, Secular, Spirituality, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism
  • In a black and white photo, someone pours milk into a large pot of mashed potatos. Behind him, someone else prepares food at a kitchen counter.
    T... starts out with Turkey and with Tofu, and Together, H...reminds us of Happiness, may it grow beyond all measure. A...means All who are returning, a reunion in Fall, N...for Newcomers to our Fellowship, and hearty welcome to all! K...for Kind friends with whom we will share dinner, S... means...
    Chalice Lighting | By Maureen Killoran | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Abundance, Community, Fall, Food, Gratitude, Happiness, Integrity, Playfulness, Relationships, Thanksgiving, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Spirit of life, we are joined today in a moment of gratitude for a perfect fall day -- for a last blaze of sunshine in a sapphire sky, before the rain and snow -- for gold and crimson leaves, before we are mired in piles of slush -- for the moment of peace and contemplation in which to appreciate...
    Meditation | By Kerry Meuller | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Autumnal Equinox, Fall
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    God of the Autumn, help us to live with the grace of falling leaves the enthusiasm of the flaming Aspens with the serenity of the old trees, whose roots reach deep into the earth. God of the Autumn, help us to know that living and dying are one that life is precious, and beautiful, and limited....
    Meditation | By Christine Robinson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Autumnal Equinox, Fall, Nature, Reverence