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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One of the Goddess’s best friends was a cardinal—a bright red bird who loved to play with the Goddess and the Sun.Story | By Christina Leone Tracy | December 16, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Animals, Change, Earth, Earth-Centered, Ending, Faith, Friendship, Goddess, Imagination, Letting Go, Nature, Paganism, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship -
I wasn’t really “born this way.” I grew this way.Reflection | By Heather McDuffee | September 28, 2022 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: #Pride, Choice, Coming Out, Friendship, God, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Marriage, National Coming Out Day, Transformation, Trust, Worship -
Coming out is vulnerable, intimate, and holy.Homily | By Heather McDuffee | September 27, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #Pride, Acceptance, Christianity, Coming Out, Courage, Direct Experience, Family, Friendship, God, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, National Coming Out Day, Transformation, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Spirit of Life who dwells before and between and beyond all words… we open ourselves to you.Reflection | By David Glasgow | November 17, 2021 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Arts & Music, Coming Out, Courage, Direct Experience, Friendship, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Secular, Solidarity, Worship -
This group blessing is designed to be shared by many voices or read by just one. Alex suggests creating an altar with a chalice and testing supplies (which are then distributed to students as they need them). Speaker 1: We have come to the end of the quarter/semester/year. An end to these classes.Blessing | By Alex Haider-Winnett | June 19, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Bridging Ceremony, Challenge, Choice, Commitment, Direct Experience, Education, Forgiveness, Friendship, Growth, Responsibility, Secular, Wisdom, Worth -
What it means to have a pet is to love someone who speaks a language you do not. A dog will bow and prance, a cat will purr and blink. A guinea pig will giggle and squeak. A long time ago a friend of mine had a dog with soft ears, and considered herself the pup’s guardian....Poetry | By Julián Jamaica Soto | June 17, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animal Blessing, Animal Memorial, Animals, Direct Experience, Earth-Centered, Friendship, Humanism, Relationships, Secular -
See now the daybreak of our love: Through it may we be lifted, For when the nightfall closes in, May strength anew be gifted. Yes! Love endures on this good Earth. Our steadfast hope we’re bringing; We sing a truth no creed can end. How can we keep from singing? Good people gather to proclaim new...Music | By Eliot Brian Chenowith | May 8, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Arts & Music, Covenant, Friendship, Humanism, Joy, Love, Marriage, Secular, Unitarian Universalism, Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies -
Let us give thanks for a bouquet of people. We give thanks for children. Like tulips and iris, they multiply around us, making the world ever more filled with color, beauty, and new life. May we bless them as they replant themselves ever further from us, knowing that they need their own space to...Prayer | By Claire Feingold Thoryn | May 11, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Earth-Centered, Flower Communion, Friendship, Gratitude, Humanism, Nature, Secular -
In a few moments, there will be a splendid party celebrating (name)’s passage into young womanhood. At that time, she will receive a series of traditional gifts, symbolizing the duties as well as the privileges of her new status....Ritual | By Kendyl L. R. Gibbons | March 20, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Coming-of-Age, Friendship, Quinceañera, Relationships, Women -
Remembering is the art of holding a memory and sharing it; it’s drawing upon that memory so it can help us to grow into people who live lives of meaning and service. As a practice, remembering connects us deeply to each other and to the love that sustains us.Reflection | By Elizabeth Harding | August 23, 2017 | From Braver/WiserTagged as: Community, Death, Direct Experience, Family, Friendship, Grief, Humanism, Love, Memorial Services, Remembrance Day, Secular, Unitarian Universalism -
O God, who moves among the stars of the cold clear sky, whose voice whispers in the silence of falling snow, whose silence stills our hearts and leaves us wondering and waiting. Lord, We are seeking Christmas, searching in this season for a hidden door to a forgotten room in the house of our very...Prayer | By Tom Schade | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Friendship, God, Relationships, Searching -
Each person (mostly children but some adults will have brought their backpacks too) comes forward with their backpack and stands in a group. The prayer follows, then worship associates give each person a “luggage tag” bearing a flaming chalice logo. Spirit of Life and Hope and Love, for many of...Blessing | By Maureen Killoran | August 1, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Backpack Blessing, Beginnings, Caring, Challenge, Children, Community, Courage, Fear, Friendship, Joy, Love, Unitarian Universalism -
In the bleak and cold winter, We gather ourselves in To light the fire to warm our spirits, To kindle the flame of love and hope.Chalice Lighting | By Cynthia Landrum | November 11, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Commitment, Community, Earth-Centered, Faith, Friendship, Hope, Imbolc / Brighid's Day / Candlemas, Journey, Kindness, Love, New Year, Relationships, Twelfth Night / Epiphany, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule -
We gather this afternoon, under this sky with these clouds and sun, connecting with this earth, which nourishes and supports us, to dedicate this natural playground. New things need to be recognized and appreciated – that’s what we do with a dedication. To dedicate means to set something aside...Blessing | By Jonalu Johnstone | October 17, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Beauty, Body, Building/Space Dedication, Children, Community, Connections, Direct Experience, Earth, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Playfulness -
Today I have too many friends who are dying. Sometimes at a memorial service I feel dissatisfied, and I’m the preacher in charge. I realize I can’t figure out how to preach my view of resurrection. I know that people would want to hear it, I’m not worried about offending or confusing anyone. I...Meditation | By Meg Barnhouse | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Death, Direct Experience, Family, Friendship, Happiness, Honesty, Intimacy, Love, Memorial Services, Nature, Peace, Truth -
We thank you God for potlucks Where a multitude can cook With ingredients and spices That aren’t from just one book. From casseroles and dumplings, Hors d’oeurves and canapés, Puddings, sauces, pastas, To sensational flambés. How boring when there’s just one dish Or flavor to fit all. How...Meditation | By Gary Kowalski | February 19, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Community, Diversity, Food, Friendship, Gratitude, Table Grace, Unitarian Universalism -
The flame of our chalice this morning is a symbol of the warmth and brightness of our connections. The flame lights our way back together again From our separate summer lives, and it lights our way forward Into this new church year of promise and renewal.Chalice Lighting | By Janet Parsons | February 18, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Commitment, Community, Connections, Discernment, Faith, Friendship, Growth, Homecoming / Ingathering, Hope, Unitarian Universalism, Unity -
Is the world getting more connected or more fragmented? Facebook, in conjunction with the University of Milan, recently announced that there were only 4.74 "degrees of separation" among its 700 million users (representing 10% of the world's population). That contrasts with the famous six degrees...Homily | By Gary Kowalski | January 25, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Community, Friendship, Homecoming / Ingathering, Interdependence, Solidarity -
ALL: Today we honor the youth among us You who are stepping beyond and away and toward Today we share in your journey And encourage your discovery Young Adults (18-35): Today we welcome your energy And offer you a safe place to grow Today we celebrate your hopes and dreams Come live, breathe, thr...Ritual | By Jaynn Truran | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Bridging Ceremony, Children, Choice, Direct Experience, Ending, Friendship, Generations, Growth, Letting Go, Power, Youth/Teens
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Sometimes I feel like a motherless child... Here may you find a warm greeting a kind word a gentle touch Sometimes I feel like I have no friend... Here may you find a community of support a pulse of liberation a vision of hope Sometimes I feel I am almost gone......Opening | By Amy Bowden Freedman | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Despair, Friendship, Juneteenth, Kindness, Suffering
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For food in a world where many walk in hunger For faith in a world where many walk in fear For friends in a world where many walk alone We give you thanks, O God. Amen.Prayer | By Anonymous | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Children's Sabbath, Food, Friendship, God, Gratitude, Table Grace
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We wish for you a storm or two that you may enjoy the calm. We wish for you tranquility in time of trial. We wish you a cool breeze on a warm day, and pale white clouds that you may better appreciate the blueness of the sky. We wish you darkness that you may see the stars....Prayer | By Robert F Kaufmann | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Bridging Ceremony, Child Dedication, Children, Children's Sabbath, Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Nature, New Child, Parents, Seven Principles, Unitarianism -
May the walls of this house be strong in the face of storms: Whether of winds or of words, whether of thunder or of tyranny. May the windows of this house be clear to the world's light: Whether of dawns or of daring, whether of sunsets or of stillness....Meditation | By Michael DeVernon Boblett | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Building/Space Dedication, Community, Friendship, Home, Hospitality, New Home
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We invoke thy gentlest blessings, God, on all true lovers. We praise thee for the great longing that draws the souls of two persons together. We thank thee for the revealing power of love, and the glory of joyous celebrations. We thank thee for the universal ritual of sharing—sharing of love, and...Prayer | By Bettye A Doty | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Connections, Family, Friendship, Joy, Love, Table Grace, Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies
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Spirit who is all things to us; Presence in which we live and move and breathe and have our being: What a gift to be here together, sharing our food, our spirit, ourselves! We ask no blessing upon this food, nor upon ourselves, because the blessing is always here, if we but pay attention....Prayer | By Elizabeth L Greene | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Food, Friendship, Gratitude, Table Grace
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In this small flame dwell: the beacon light of lanterns guiding travelers home; the warmth of hearth fires tended through the generations; the transforming energy of furnaces and the power and life of our sun. May these blessings -- warmth and light and life-giving energy -- be kindled in each of...Chalice Lighting | By Jean L Wahlstrom | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Community, Family, Friendship, Generations, Home, Journey, Love, Power, Transformation, Winter Solstice / Yule -
Let us be together in silence. Let our hearts listen. Let this house be quiet. For a moment, stretch back in memory to the first time you joined a meeting of this church. It may have been in this building or in a rented space or a home. What was happening then? Were you comfortable, anxious,...Meditation | By Jacqueline A Collins | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Building/Space Dedication, Connections, Friendship, History, Purpose, Strength, Unitarian Universalism