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 - 13 of 13

  • Speaking from the heart can turn an ordinary meeting into a rewarding one.
    Chalice Lighting | By Ben Ogilvie | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Connections, Covenant, Relationships, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Work, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • Today we kick off Religious Education classes with [over number registered] children and youth in our congregation. [Number of volunteers] adult volunteers carry the sacred privilege and responsibility of journeying beside them on our behalf....
    Ritual | By Lauren Wyeth | January 7, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Children, Community, Education, Leadership, Service, Teacher Dedication, Teacher Recognition, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Youth/Teens
  • As we light this chalice [this evening], may it serve to give us clarity of purpose and illumine our way as we set about doing the work of this congregation, in commitment, in cooperation, and in love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Viola Abbitt | January 7, 2020 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Business Meetings, Commitment, Community, Governance, Humanism, Leadership, Love, Purpose, Secular, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Work
  • We light this chalice to honor our work, to celebrate our community, and to bring hope and determination to our mission in the wider world....
    Chalice Lighting | By Chrystal Hogan | September 14, 2018 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Leadership, Ministerial Transition, Ministry, Purpose, Service, Teamwork, Vision, Work
  • This is the hour. The time has come. Mindful of our responsibilities as leaders of this faith and guardians of the living tradition, we call upon that great cloud of witnesses—those who came before, those who are here now and those who have yet to come. We seek their presence, love and support in...
    Chalice Lighting | By Connie Simon | December 13, 2017 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 6th Principle (World Community), Business Meetings, Calling, Generations, Governance, Leadership, Ordinations, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Responsibility, Secular, Teamwork, Tradition, Unitarian Universalism, Wisdom
  • Note: this was written for a worship service with a Wizard of Oz theme. Come you accidental pilgrims, you who find yourself on a journey of surprise and wonder. Come you who emerge into this place as an act of liberation. Come you who seek a life of mindfulness and a place to test your thoughts.
    Invocation | By Lyn Cox | September 22, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Courage, Diversity, Generations, Homecoming / Ingathering, Inclusion, Journey, Teamwork, Trust, Unitarian Universalism
  • May each one among us have skin that longs to touch other skin: fingertips that long for other fingertips or whole hands and even arms; bodies that want to stand next to other bodies, not alone, while singing and bending, stirring soup. May ones whose skin doesn’t cry out for other skin wish it...
    Meditation | By Nancy Shaffer | June 5, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Building/Space Dedication, Community, Hospitality, Inclusion, Purpose, Relationships, Teamwork, Unity
  • Today, you join in membership. This is a moment of excitement and possibility. And although I don’t wish to pull you out of this moment, I need to talk to you for a bit about a moment in your future....
    Reading | By Liz James | February 11, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Commitment, Community, Covenant, Inclusion, Living Our Faith, New Member Ceremony, Reconciliation, Relationships, Strength, Teamwork, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb
  • Dear God, Spirit of Life and Love, An Eagle Scout Court of Honor marks the end of one journey, a journey of participating in Scouting. Now a new journey begins with a commitment to better Scouting where all may participate. Bless all of N's future endeavors....
    Benediction | By Aaron Stockwell Wisman | January 12, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Integrity, Scout Sunday, Service, Teamwork, Work
  • Dear God, Spirit of Life and Love, Creator of the mountains and the forests, It is good to be gathered here on the occasion of N receiving his/her/their Eagle Scout Award. We are thankful for the service he/she/they has/have given to his/her/their troop/crew/ship, community and council. We are...
    Invocation | By Aaron Stockwell Wisman | January 12, 2016 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Integrity, Scout Sunday, Service, Teamwork, Work
  • Blessed is the person who feeds and warms, washes, and comforts a child and soothes them in illness. For they shall be called caregiver. Blessed is the person who gives shelter and food, clothing, toys, books and tools. For they shall be called provider....
    Prayer | By Janet H. Bowering | May 28, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Bridging Ceremony, Child Dedication, Children, Coming of Age, Coming-of-Age, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Mother's Day, Mothers, Relationships, Teamwork
  • On a foggy Christmas Eve, Santa realized Rudolph could make the difference in guiding the sleigh.
    Meditation | By Edward Harris | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Secular, Service, Teamwork
  • (This was written for the opening worship at a district board retreat....
    Opening | By Gina Whitaker | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Business Meetings, Leadership, Purpose, Responsibility, Service, Teamwork, Vision, Work