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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Spirit of Life, ancestor of the stars and the sun, you who embrace the vastness of space and us along with it, be with us today. Hold us in our worry, our exhaustion, our grief. Keep us close as we sit with our truth, whatever that may be....Prayer | By Lyn Cox | January 2, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Autumnal Equinox, Awe, Contemplation, Courage, Earth-Centered, Nature, Summer Solstice, Vernal Equinox, Vulnerability, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wonder -
Voice 1 Welcome, you who approach this time as a journey toward the horizon, the beginning of the next chapter, seeking all of the insights and opportunities the new day offers....Invocation | By Lyn Cox | October 25, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Generations, History, Paganism, Prophetic Words & Deeds -
Spirit of Life, Source of Love, you who know our struggles and failures as well as we know them ourselves, be with us as we enter into this time of reflection. Give us the courage to travel through a moral inventory of our lives, to notice the places where we have missed opportunities to live our...Prayer | By Lyn Cox | October 16, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Conscience, Ethics, Failure, Judaism, Reconciliation, Responsibility, Rosh Hashanah, Transformation, Yom Kippur -
We pause as the path of the sun reverses, seemingly holding its place for a moment of turning. Let us delve into the gifts of darkness at the winter solstice. We follow curiosity and contemplation down into the cold earth, taking a journey to the world below the surface....Meditation | By Lyn Cox | March 17, 2019 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Abundance, Contemplation, Creativity, Earth, Earth-Centered, Growth, Healing, Journey, Trust, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule -
First Sunday of Advent Minister: Unitarian Universalism is a faith with roots in Christianity. Some UUs today identify as Christians, others don’t; yet during the season of Advent we all have something we can find illuminating, comforting, challenging, or fulfilling by reinterpreting old...Ritual | By Lyn Cox | October 15, 2018 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent -
Spirit of Life and Love, known by many names and yet fully known by none, we give thanks for this time and this place of renewal. We give thanks for the ability to begin again: after the disaster, after the tragedy, after the loss, after meeting the challenge set before us....Prayer | By Lyn Cox | September 22, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Courage, Disaster or Crisis, Diversity, Gratitude, Homecoming / Ingathering, Hospitality, Journey, New Year, Reconciliation, Rosh Hashanah, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Yom Kippur -
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 WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Courage, Diversity, Generations, Homecoming / Ingathering, Inclusion, Journey, Teamwork, Trust, Unitarian Universalism -
Spirit of Life and Love, known by many names and yet fully known by none, be with us in this hour of grief. Be with us as we reach out to one another in comfort. Be with us as we come to terms with our sadness, anger, and despair. Hold us in the embrace of eternal love, even when we forget our...Prayer | By Lyn Cox | June 17, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), 6th Principle (World Community), Anti-Oppression, Earth-Centered, Generations, Grief, Healing, Justice, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Love, Mourning, Solidarity, Terrorism, Unitarian Universalism -
This ritual was used as a Time for All Ages on Valentine's Day, but could be used on any number of Sundays—whether there are children and youth present or not. Although the spoken roles here are named as Minister and Religious Educator, any two (or more) worship leaders could facilitate this...Ritual | By Lyn Cox | February 26, 2016 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Arrogance, Caring, Humanism, Love, Service, Unitarian Universalism, Valentine's Day, WorshipWeb -
Mary: Hi! Are you on the way to the hill country, too? I’m going to the hill country. I'm on my way to see my cousin Elizabeth. I can’t wait to tell her what happened: the Angel Gabriel came to me and said that I’m going to have a baby, and that I should name him Jesus. The angel said, “He...Script | By Lyn Cox | December 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Children, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Family, Mothers, Parents -
Spirit of Life, Who draws us together in a web of holy relationships, Make your presence known with us and in us and among us. Remind us that we are not alone in history, Ignite us with the courage of the living tradition. Remind us that we are not alone in entering the future, Anchor us with...Prayer | By Lyn Cox | May 22, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Community, Compassion, Creativity, Earth, Earth-Centered, Humanism, Interdependence, Joys & Concerns, Justice, Prophetic Words & Deeds, Relationships, WorshipWeb
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Spirit of Life, Ground of our being, Root of unified mystery Growing into myriad branches of expression, Bring us together now....Meditation | By Lyn Cox | May 22, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Change, Christianity, Community, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Homecoming / Ingathering, Humanism, Interdependence, Listening, Nature, Science, WorshipWeb -
Creative spirit, source of life and love: We give thanks for the beauty of this day and for the company of those assembled here. Thank you for the breezes of change, clearing our heads and bringing fresh ideas. May they cleanse our minds of the oppressions and isms that divide us....Prayer | By Lyn Cox | May 7, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Anti-Oppression, Beauty, Change, Christianity, Creativity, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Judaism, May Day / Beltane, Nature, WorshipWeb -
Holidays are complicated, especially the ones named after roles. Human relationships are messy, including relationships with people who are honored by holidays. For a lot of people, Father’s Day brings up feelings of grief for fathers who were lost, or who couldn’t be there, or who chose not to...Prayer | By Lyn Cox | May 6, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Direct Experience, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Forgiveness, Healing, Humanism, Men, Parents, Relationships, WorshipWeb