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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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  • The year "2022" written in flowers, leaves, and pinecones
    What word might you use as your centering lodestar for 2022?
    Reflection | By Tim Atkins | January 5, 2022 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Worship
  • In a sunny church sanctuary, rows of empty red velvet and wooden pews
    We are leaving a space that has been made holy.
    Prayer | By Jules Taylor | January 3, 2022 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Building/Space Dedication, Ending, Gratitude, Worship
  • On a nest of straw and holiday tinsel three white paper stars, or Froebelsterne, are nestled.
    May we continue to find ways to connect while keeping safe this holiday season.
    Reflection | By Laura Shay | December 22, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Community, Worship
  • In the foreground, a slice of pecan pie and a hot beverage sit on a table. In the background, there's a merry decorated Christmas tree.
    For me, “surrendering everything tenderly” brings an awareness of grace.
    Reflection | By Jake Morrill | December 15, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Food, Grace, Patience, Worship
  • the silhouette of a person, taken from some distance, under a bright night sky with the Milky Way stars in bright colors.
    We are mourning the dead and fighting for the living. We're singing for joy and striving for meaning.
    Prayer | By Erika Hewitt | December 14, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Awe, Mystery, Purpose, Wonder, Worship
  • A worn, chipped statue of Mary, pictured from the shoulders up, with a weary expression.
    Each Advent, my empathy for Mary’s situation returns.
    Reflection | By Taryn Strauss | December 8, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Advent, Children, Choice, Christianity, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Discernment, Women, Worship
  • In a nest woven from twigs and leaves, a small spotted eggshell is broken.
    Acknowledging that our dream was not happening didn't end the grief, but it did offer closure.
    Reflection | By Leslie Gatto | December 1, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: Children, Direct Experience, Grief, Mothers, Parents, Worship
  • Vines cross and intertwine themselves on a tree trunk
    Let us marvel at the miracle of being here, right now.
    Opening | By Tania Y Márquez | November 30, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Community, Friendship, Gratitude, Joy, Unitarian Universalism, Unity, Wonder, Worship
  • A person in a medical coat, mask, and gloves braces themselves on a balcony, head bowed as though in prayer.
    May we release ourselves from the need to fit every truth neatly into our own language.
    Reflection | By Sally Fritsche | November 24, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Atheism, Compassion, Direct Experience, Discernment, Empathy, Ministry, Spiritual Practice, Spirituality, Worship
  • A wash of gentle, shimmering light, as if the inside of a bubble.
    Love calls me to rest when I feel disconnected
    Affirmation | By Melissa Jeter | November 24, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Christianity, Interdependence, Love, Self-Care, Self-Respect, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Ask yourself, in your heart: What or who are you grateful for?
    Meditation | By Susan Frederick-Gray | November 23, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Body, Connections, Gratitude, Spiritual Practice, Thanksgiving, Worship
  • A blurry array of pinpoint lights moves out toward the viewer.
    Though we experience discomfort, we are excited to give birth to a new, just world.
    Chalice Extinguishing | By Melissa Jeter | November 22, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Challenge, Choice, Contemplation, Imagination, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism
  • A purple and pink sky, at twilight, with a burning sun setting behind dry, wintry stalks of grain.
    And still, we are grateful.
    Prayer | By Connie Simon | November 22, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: #COVID19, Gratitude, Thanksgiving, Worship
  • A black and gray ridge of mountains, stylized against a stark red background, is reflected above in a mirror image.
    We light this chalice today to illuminate our way toward Love.
    Chalice Lighting | By Melissa Jeter | November 22, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Imagination, Love, Parents, Patience, Unitarian Universalism, Worship
  • A ceramic mug of coffee sits on a table next to an open laptop, showing many people in Zoom cells.
    We gather together....
    Opening | By Michelle LaGrave | November 18, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Acceptance, Community, Inclusion, Interdependence, Unity, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    In that city, music spills from concert rooms both large and small...
    Music | By Perry Beider | November 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Arts & Music, Worship
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    To be content to live in Mystery is central to the liberal religious tradition.
    Affirmation | By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff | November 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Doubt, Freedom, Mystery, Unitarian Universalism
  • Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice
    Every day offers us, yet again, the chance to experience our own Divinity and spiritual Transformation.
    Affirmation | By Paul Stephan Dodenhoff | November 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Easter, Good Friday, Unitarian Universalism
  • A swoop of gray, a thread of black, and another swoop of gold are a close-up of feathers on a penguin's shoulder.
    May the promises you have made to yourself about who you want to be feel closer to the reality of who you are right now.
    Benediction | By Emily Richards | November 17, 2021 | From WorshipWeb
    Tagged as: Beginnings, Change, Growth, Transformation, Worship
  • A young teen lies on their bed, eyes closed, listening to music on headphones. A guitar lies on the bed next to them.
    Spirit of Life who dwells before and between and beyond all words… we open ourselves to you.
    Reflection | By David Glasgow | November 17, 2021 | From Braver/Wiser
    Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), 4th Principle (Truth & Meaning), Anti-Oppression, Arts & Music, Coming Out, Courage, Direct Experience, Friendship, Identity, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer, Pride Sunday, Secular, Solidarity, Worship