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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To worship means to consider that which has worth—today we consider, with gratitude, the many gifts of this community— The opportunity to be affirmed in who we are and to offer that affirmation to others The chance to stand up together to help remake the world in the ideal of justice The freedom...Opening | By Leslie Takahashi | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Purpose, Service, Stewardship, Vision -
Within the space of an instant, you can make a first impression show gratitude, kiss, change your mind, wipe away a tear, live, and die. It only takes a minute to write a note, tell a joke, change a diaper, sing a song, or be still....Meditation | By Thomas Rhodes | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Integrity, Purpose, Service, Vision, Work
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As we gather here together May we be attentive one to another. May we listen carefully, may we freely speak. May we be respectful of one another. May we be serious, yet not somber. May we be light of heart And full of good cheer. As we gather here together May we work toward common goals....Reading | By Betty Jo Middleton | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Caring, Respect, Unity
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I. THE CYNIC I was the town cynic whose life was choked out By a hidden disease of the heart That I knew was there in my chest But never told. And I carried it around with me And quoted verses to the people I met About the vanity and absurdity of it all And made them weep. If only they could have...Reading | By Joshua Leach | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Arrogance, Death, Failure, Searching, Suffering
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For this one hour, Spirit of Life we let go. For this one hour, may we let go of our anxieties, our fears, our anger, our self-doubts, our regrets, our petty grievances, and our distractions....Chalice Lighting | By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Anger, Doubt, Fear, Letting Go, Peace, Presence, Regret, Reverence, Transcendence, Worry -
Come, come, whoever you are - you are welcome here! No matter your age, your size, the color of your eyes, your hair, your skin—you are welcome here! No matter how you came here, if you came alone, or with others— you are welcome here! No matter whom you love, or how you speak, or whatever your...Opening | By Melanie Morel-Ensminger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Inclusion, Unity
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Every year, the same conundrum: How do we find our way into Easter when, for us, the most important part about Jesus of Nazareth is his teachings, rather than his death? Like many traditional holidays, it must have some meaning to us beyond its commercial trappings. But what is that meaning,...Reading | By Ellen Cooper | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Death, Easter, Transformation
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There are two things we can learn from a daffodil to help ourselves and each other.Time for All Ages | By Ruth E Gibson | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Change, Earth, Earth-Centered, Flower Communion, Growth, Nature, Spring, Strength, Transformation, Vernal Equinox, Wonder -
From "The Young People in the Church," September 20, 1902 What is our idea of a church? Are we simply a mutual admiration society, meeting from Sunday to Sunday to congratulate ourselves that we are not so bigoted as other people, and sigh because they are not emancipated?...Reading | By Marion Shutter | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Prophetic Words & Deeds, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, Vision
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When I was very young, my family often went camping at Assateague Island on the Maryland shore. It was a long drive, but there were lots of adventures along the way. The last adventure was crossing the Verrazano Bridge over the Sinepuxent Bay. This was one of my favorite moments. As we approached...Meditation | By Jan Taddeo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Change, Courage, Searching, Vision -
I believe in One God: That is, the heaven we make on earth. And in all the prophets and saviors, the begotten children of all people, Born under every banner and tribe, nation and state, parcel and plot, Whose suffering, struggles, and wisdom free me from injustice, And lift me up so that I, too,...Reading | By Eliot Brian Chenowith | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Faith, Redemption, Reverence
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We set aside an hour each week to worship the Holy, to come together as a community, and to refresh our souls....Opening | By Chris Rothbauer | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Direct Experience, Purpose, Reverence
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O, send forth me, spirit, O Send Forth Me (form for corporate worship) O, send forth us, spirit, forth to do well our work, work of our lives, our living. May these our lives touch healingly, lovingly, those in need of love and healing....Meditation | By Tess Baumberger | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Contemplation, Mindfulness, Purpose, Service
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They need to light a candle, and have a quiet moment to enjoy its mystery. They need to sing a song, to hear their own voice and other voices joined together, and to feel the feelings that are stirred by music....Reading | By Lowell Brook | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Children, Generations
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In our community we make time each week to share pieces of our lives with one another. We do this because each person in this community has value. Each person’s experience matters. We share our sorrows with one another today, knowing that sorrow comes into each person’s life, knowing that...Meditation | By Jennifer Gracen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Meaning
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We give thanks for the needs of our community that remind us of our common humanity. We give thanks for the needs of humanity that help us grow into the compassion of the Buddha, the love of Jesus, and the charity of Mohammed....Reading | By Claudia A Ramisch | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Gratitude
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We come together every week Bound not by a creed, Or a mutual desire to please one God Or many Gods Yet we are drawn together By a belief, that how we are in the world, Who we are together Matters. We light this chalice, together in the knowledge That love, not fear, can change this world...Chalice Lighting | By Jennifer Gracen | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Character, Community, Covenant, Growth, Hope, Identity, Integrity, Interdependence, Purpose, Vision -
The flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. It is an everlasting flame for this community. It offers its warmth to those who are cold. It provides light to those who would see. It purifies and transforms this sanctuary into sacred space, this congregation into sacred community....Chalice Lighting | By Beatrice Hitchcock | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Community, Faith, Hospitality, Journey, Kindness, Sacred, Strength, Tradition, Transformation, Unitarian Universalism, Vision -
All: Wake up O my Soul Leader: It takes energy to stand and defiantly stand against voices that wear me down. All: Wake up O my Soul Leader: It takes the force of my will to take charge of my life and do what I can....Litany | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Change, Choice, Strength, Unitarian Universalism
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We cast not our eyes below, we say to ourselves we are how we came, wounded from struggles, triumphant in our survival, entitled by birthright to belong to this the only humankind there is, saying I am included, I belong, I am here, and I will be and do....Chalice Lighting | By Ma Theresa "Tet" Gustilo Gallardo | January 21, 2015 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Acceptance, Inclusion, Purpose, Vulnerability