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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

  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    today is a story day of a man who was loved dying washed with herbs wrapped in scented cloths laid to rest in a cave tomb a rock marking the place a story of followers weeping in surprise when they are told not to be afraid that the rock is rolled away and the cave tomb is empty and somewhere up...
    Invocation | By Lois Van Leer | June 18, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Belief, Christianity, Easter, Hope, Presence
  • a fire is surrounded by chairs under a starry night sky
    This ritual was designed as part of a worship service/fire communion. Please see that holiday description for more details. Leader: Today’s service is about letting go, metaphoric cleansing and quenching of thirst, setting of intentions, self-anointing, healing, new beginnings and possibilities.
    Ritual | By Lois Van Leer | May 3, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Earth-Centered, Fire Communion, Hope, Letting Go, New Year, Purpose, Spiritual Practice, Wisdom
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Having let go, Set our intentions, Named our curiosity, Committed our energies, And given ourselves over to lives of balance, purpose and meaning, Let us begin again In love...
    Closing | By Lois Van Leer | May 3, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Ending, Hope, Journey, Letting Go, Love, New Year
  • a "doodle" drawing of a chalice, with designs radiating outward
    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 WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Chinese New Year, Ending, Healing, Health, Hope, Letting Go, New Year, Purpose, Rosh Hashanah, Strength, Vision, Wholeness
  • A milkweed pod, split open, spills its feathery white seeds into the air
    Let go Of all that binds you Of all that burdens you Of what you carry Of all that shames you Of fear Of trespasses and transgressions Of woundedness Let go of guilt Let go of anger Let go of small mindedness and pettiness Of ways of being that no longer work for you Of compulsions that consume y...
    Opening | By Lois Van Leer | January 14, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Ending, Healing, Letting Go, New Year, Yom Kippur
  • Man, smiling, waving a rainbow flag
    They will march, walk, wheel, dance, shimmy and shake Block upon block of undulating color, flesh, banners, signs, clothing or lack thereof Hands raised, hands linked, apart, together Singing, shouting, chanting, silent, Joyous, tearful, nervous, afraid, proud, defiant, angry, happy, delirious,...
    Reading | By Lois Van Leer | June 9, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, Inclusion, Joy, Justice, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Sexuality, Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    George: This is Angel Gabriel of KGOD airwaves, coming to you live from the downtown mall in Bethlehem. The air is positively solar as frenzied shoppers scurry from store to store, their camels and donkeys weighted down with purchases. The beasts bawl. There are only, count ‘em and weep shoppers,...
    Story | By Lois Van Leer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Hanukkah, Judaism, Kwanzaa, Multiculturalism, Paganism, Winter Solstice / Yule, Multiculturalism