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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Displaying 41 - 60 of 1057

  • Today we celebrate the new name that reflects a truth long-hidden, now revealed.
    Ritual | By Karen G. Johnston | March 9, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Caring, Identity, Inclusion, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Life Transition, Naming Ceremony, Self-Respect, Transformation, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • The circle of evergreens reminds us that life and love will never end.
    Ritual | By Rosemary Morrison | January 26, 2023 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Hope, Joy, Love, Peace, Spiritual Practice
  • Celebrate 100 Years of the Flower Ceremony! The first Flower Ceremony was held in Prague, in June 2023, led by Rev. Norbert Čapek.
    Leader Resource | By Erika Hewitt | January 17, 2023 | From WorshipLab
    Tagged as: Flower Communion, Unitarianism, Worship Tips
  • I’m proud to belong to a living religious tradition that embraces evolution, both scientifically and spiritually.
    Reflection | By Tim Atkins | January 4, 2023 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Beginnings, New Year, Spiritual Practice, Worship
  • Darkness is as important as light.
    Opening | By Jo VonRue | December 27, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, Direct Experience, Imagination, Nature, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • One of the Goddess’s best friends was a cardinal—a bright red bird who loved to play with the Goddess and the Sun.
    Story | By Christina Leone Tracy | December 16, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Animals, Change, Earth, Earth-Centered, Ending, Faith, Friendship, Goddess, Imagination, Letting Go, Nature, Paganism, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • December seventh, "Eight Candles" (1970). Malvina Reynolds was a 20th century Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, socialist, songwriter, and performer who is best known for her song “Little Boxes.” In 1970 she recorded the Hanukkah Song “Eight Candles.” It has since become a holiday favorite.
    Image | By Ralph Yeager Roberts | December 11, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Advent, America, Christmas Eve / Christmas, History, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule
  • Advent encourages us to be present in each moment of waiting.
    Reflection | By Megan Lloyd Joiner | December 7, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Christianity, Contemplation, Patience, Presence, Sacred, Worship
  • Queer joy is resistance.
    Reflection | By cristy cardinal | November 23, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: #LoveResists, #Pride, 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 2nd Principle (Justice, Equity, & Compassion), Activism, Anti-Oppression, Community, Direct Experience, Humanism, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Solidarity, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • All that we are, together and individually, is part of the abundance of the universe.
    Responsive Reading | By Julián Jamaica Soto | November 11, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 7th Principle (Interconnected Web), Abundance, Canvass/Pledge, Connections, Earth, Earth-Centered, Gratitude, Interdependence, Stewardship, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • 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
  • May love guide you on your journey forward
    Benediction | By Caitlin Cotter Coillberg | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Ministerial Transition, Ministry, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • We kindle this flame (hold arms together in a chalice shape and wiggle fingers) to honor the heart of a Unitarian Universalist (hold hands together in a heart shape) Someone who shows strength (flex both arms in a strong motion) Someone who lends a helping hand (flip one hand, palm facing outward...
    Chalice Lighting | By Adena Dannouf | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, WorshipWeb, Worship
  • As we gather in this sacred moment, the Holy Spirit settles among her people.
    Chalice Lighting | By Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Communion (Christian), God, Love
  • As you go forth into this new phase of your life’s adventure...
    Blessing | By Julia Corbett-Hemeyer | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Earth, Earth-Centered, Installations, Leadership, Nature, Ordinations
  • The work of radical inclusion; of collective liberation.
    Closing | By Emily Richards | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Living Our Faith, Purpose
  • We gather to honor our covenant and engage in congregational life.
    Chalice Lighting | By Emily Richards | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Business Meetings, Character, Democracy, Leadership, Purpose, Work
  • We all want to feel at home, somewhere, somehow....
    Reading | By Christian Schmidt | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Home, Judaism, Searching, Sukkot
  • We give thanks to the Sacred, woven in and among us, for the teachers, youth advisors, youth mentors, and parents in our community.
    Ritual | By Elizabeth Harding | October 17, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Caring, Children, Family, Leadership, Relationships, Teacher Recognition
  • My vet said, “She's telling you thank you for letting her go.”
    Reflection | By Ndidi Achebe | October 12, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Animal Memorial, Animals, Death, Direct Experience, Grief, Letting Go, Love, Secular, Worship