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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 - 5 of 5

  • A large white arrow painted on the surface of a road, and a pair of feet walking.
    We bow our heads in order to imagine not one path, but many. We imagine a path forward for those who cannot imagine any path forward, because of poor health, financial hardship, family crises, and other roadblocks we cannot begin to understand or imagine. We struggle to imagine a path forward for...
    Prayer | By D. Scott Cooper | January 18, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Advent, Anti-Oppression, Class, Conflict, Hope, Immigration, Journey, Justice Sunday, Searching, Unitarian Universalism, Worry
  • Above a sea of hands holding lit candles in the air, someone holds a sign with a rainbow heart: "One human family"
    To the refugee family seeking a safe place For their children’s dreams, say: I am with you in this. To the trans teenager longing for a world That accepts them for who they are, say: I am with you in this....
    Litany | By Phillip Lund | November 25, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Brokenness, Caring, Compassion, Connections, Disaster or Crisis, Immigration, Justice, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism
  • a golden loaf of cornbread on a cutting board
    Introduction The Cornbread and Cider Communion is a tradition in some of our congregations. With gratitude for our freedom and for our abundance, let us celebrate this ritual today mindful of Syrian and other refugees who are unable to go home, those for whom we pray safe passage and a welcoming...
    Ritual | By Dawn Skjei Cooley | November 24, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: America, Body, Communion (Christian), Food, Gratitude, Immigration, Interdependence, International, Solidarity, Thanksgiving, Unitarian Universalism
  • A child, lost in thought, leans against a pillar next to a row of Muslims bowing in prayer in a mosque
    Source of Life who is known by many names; Over-turner and illuminator of hearts; We gather with gratitude for the earth and all who journey in it. We give thanks for the interconnectedness of all creation....
    Prayer | By Jessica Vazquez Torres | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), Christianity, Dignity, Immigration, Interdependence, Islam, Justice, Justice Sunday, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism
  • Against a backdrop of blue sky and ocean, a line of birds flies past a padlock attached to a fence.
    Am I a guest here. Here in this House. Are you? Are we guests here. Here in this House. And, whose House do we inhabit? In the small world of our lives the borders between us: easements, fences, gates, hedges—serve to delineate, to separate us. To remind us of where my property begins and ends.
    Reading | By Alicia R. Forde | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Direct Experience, History, Immigration, Indigenous Peoples Day, International, Responsibility, Secular, Anti-Oppression, Immigration