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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

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  • A small vase of red Gerbera daisies, a lit taper, and a wooden angel are on a window sill, outside of which there's a grey winter day.
    May we remember that we each carry inside of us a spark of the Divine.
    Blessing | By Beth Monhollen | July 24, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Beginnings, Grace, New Year, Worship
  • A person's hands are clasped in prayer in what appears to be a church pew.
    Every relationship is an ongoing story that unfolds between people.
    Reflection | By Erika Hewitt | June 28, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Brokenness, Connections, Forgiveness, Healing, Relationships, Worship
  • In a sunny room, raised hands are the focus of this photo, with a few blurred faces in the background.
    May we be active participants in the liberatory potential of democracy.
    Reflection | By Shaya French | June 21, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 5th Principle (Conscience & Democracy), Choice, Conflict, Conscience, Democracy, Unitarian Universalism, Worship, Young Adults
  • Six cylindrical vases are filled with colored liquid, so that together they form a rainbow. This photo captures the bottom of each vase and the reflection of their color on a blank surface.
    I would have loved it as a kid to have a church that encouraged us to listen to our heartfelt yearning of self.
    Reflection | By Zeb Green | June 7, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Coming Out, Direct Experience, Gender, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Truth, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Let us be open to expression and be understood.
    Prayer | By Kenneth P. Langer | June 5, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Worship
  • A hand opens a door, revealing a restroom.
    I belong, and you belong, and we belong—just as we are.
    Reflection | By Li Kynvi | May 31, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Anti-Oppression, Body, Courage, Direct Experience, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Oppression, Pride Sunday, Privilege, Secular, Worship
  • A bustling train platform, with passengers and lit signs in Japanese and English, at the Shinjuku station.
    If I’m not cultivating an open heart and watching for the helpers, the teachers, and the angels, I may miss them when I need them the most.
    Reflection | By Sue Ferguson | May 24, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Caring, Character, Compassion, Direct Experience, Gratitude, Hospitality, Trust, Worship
  • To people--one white and one Black--hold up their arms, each hand forming the "peace" symbol of two fingers in a V.
    Let us set aside hate, and devote our lives to the ways of peace and justice.  
    Prayer | By Douglas Taylor | May 22, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Activism, Compassion, Living Our Faith, Peace, Solidarity, War
  • An abstract expressionist painting by Steve Johnson of vivid teals and blues and oranges in broad, blocky strokes
    Remind us that resilience is in our bones, that peace will prevail on earth
    Prayer | By Douglas Taylor | May 22, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Brokenness, Despair, God, Healing, Hope, Resilience
  • Against a dark field, five neon arrows in blue, pink, and yellow point in the same direction.
    Is a calling a feeling of joy, of completeness in your work?
    Reading | By Megan Foley | May 22, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Calling, Direct Experience, Leadership, Ordinations, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A close-up of a bright fuschia flower blooming on a spiny cactus, with other pink buds around it.
    When we become fully aware of our limited time on earth we can still leave behind flowers and songs.
    Reflection | By Tania Y Márquez | May 17, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beauty, Death, Indigenous American, International, Personal Stories, Worship
  • A person reaches up to the sill of a window, as if fixing or cleaning the window.
    Our church calls us to "bring all that you are." This includes all our talents—known, and yet to be discovered.
    Script | By First Parish UU Church, Kennebunk, ME | May 15, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Playfulness, Stewardship, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Let us bless these candles with our tender hopes for the coming year.
    Ritual | By SarahRuth Wekoye Davis | May 10, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Presence, Spirituality, Worship
  • A small child clutches a sandwich in their hands, showing fingernails painted light blue.
    We are the hands and feet of love. And sometimes its fingernails, too.
    Reflection | By Joanna Fontaine Crawford | May 10, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Body, Children, Direct Experience, Gender, Generations, Imagination, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A person's hands scoop green material into a full compost bin, filled with flowers, eggshells, and colorful vegetable matter.
    The miracle of grace is available to us even when it has been left untended.
    Reflection | By Jennifer Hundley-Batts | May 3, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Abundance, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Food, Grace, Nature, Patience, Stewardship, Summer Solstice, Worship
  • With a snow-covered landscape visible outside, a bird trapped inside of a window flaps its wings.
    In our times of need, may we each be saved by hope, connection, and love.
    Reflection | By Lynn Gardner | April 26, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Compassion, Salvation, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    I am seeking the courage to be open.
    Meditation | By Douglas Taylor | April 20, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Courage, Vulnerability, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    There is hope through imagination.
    Meditation | By Douglas Taylor | April 20, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Empathy, Imagination, Solidarity, Worship
  • A tiny chickweed seedling still has the cap of its seed pod, while the tiny seedling next to it is unfurling its tiny green leaves.
    Remind me that life is magical and mysterious.
    Reflection | By JD Stillwater | April 19, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Animals, Awe, Beauty, Direct Experience, Earth, Earth Day, Earth-Centered, Nature, Stewardship, Wonder, Worship
  • A tiny infant is cradled gently against the chest of a man, seen from the neck down, with muscular arms.
    We hold space for all that Father's Day may mean to us.
    Prayer | By Amy Jones | April 13, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Children, Father's Day, Fathers, Parents, Worship