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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- Advent (8)
- All Saints Day (3)
- All Souls Day (5)
- Animal Blessing (2)
- Animal Memorial (2)
- Autumnal Equinox (5)
- Backpack Blessing (1)
- Black History / Whitney Young / James Reeb (1)
- Bridging Ceremony (2)
- Building/Space Dedication (1)
- Business Meetings (12)
- Child Dedication (2)
- Children's / Religious Education Sunday (5)
- Children's Sabbath (2)
- Chinese New Year (1)
- Christmas Eve / Christmas (11)
- Coming of Age (5)
- Coming Out (5)
- Communion (Christian) (3)
- Community Ministry Sunday (2)
- Día de los Muertos (3)
- Disaster or Crisis (5)
- Divorce / Separation (1)
- Earth Day (8)
- Easter (11)
- Father's Day (4)
- Fire Communion (1)
- Flower Communion (4)
- Halloween (3)
- Hanukkah (1)
- Holocaust Remembrance / Yom Ha'Shoah (1)
- Homecoming / Ingathering (14)
- Imbolc / Brighid's Day / Candlemas (2)
- Installations (3)
- Job Loss (1)
- July 4th (1)
- Juneteenth (1)
- Justice Sunday (3)
- Labor Day (2)
- Leaving Home (1)
- Life Transition (1)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday (1)
- Memorial Day (5)
- Memorial Services (5)
- Military Service (1)
- Ministerial Transition (4)
- Mother's Day (5)
- Mourning (3)
- Music Sunday (1)
- National Coming Out Day (3)
- New Child (1)
- New Member Ceremony (3)
- New Year (9)
- Ordinations (4)
- Palm Sunday (2)
- Partner Church Observation (1)
- Passover (Pesach) (3)
- Pride Sunday (5)
- Purim (1)
- Quinceañera (4)
- Remembrance Day (2)
- Rosh Hashanah (5)
- Samhain (4)
- Scout Sunday (2)
- Summer Solstice (1)
- Table Grace (1)
- Teacher Dedication (1)
- Teacher Recognition (1)
- Thanksgiving (4)
- Twelfth Night / Epiphany (1)
- Valentine's Day (2)
- Vernal Equinox (7)
- Veterans Day (1)
- Water Communion (10)
- Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies (1)
- Winter Solstice / Yule (15)
- Yom Kippur (6)
- Youth Sunday (1)
- Abundance (4)
- Acceptance (7)
- Activism (7)
- America (4)
- Anger (3)
- Animals (3)
- Anti-Oppression (11)
- Arts & Music (2)
- Awe (11)
- Balance (5)
- Beauty (7)
- Beginnings (11)
- Belief (3)
- Birth (4)
- Body (5)
- Bridging (2)
- Brokenness (5)
- Calling (5)
- Caring (5)
- Challenge (9)
- Change (4)
- Character (2)
- Children (13)
- Coming-of-Age (5)
- Commitment (13)
- Community (40)
- Compassion (3)
- Conflict (2)
- Connections (17)
- Conscience (1)
- Contemplation (2)
- Courage (8)
- Covenant (2)
- Death (6)
- Democracy (4)
- Despair (6)
- Dignity (2)
- Discernment (4)
- Diversity (3)
- Doubt (2)
- Earth (22)
- Education (1)
- Empathy (1)
- Ending (9)
- Environment (1)
- Ethics (1)
- Evil (1)
- Faith (12)
- Fall (1)
- Family (9)
- Fathers (4)
- Fear (5)
- Food (1)
- Forgiveness (6)
- Freedom (5)
- Friendship (4)
- Gender (2)
- Generations (21)
- Generosity (3)
- God (2)
- Good (1)
- Governance (2)
- Grace (2)
- Gratitude (16)
- Grief (5)
- Growth (8)
- Happiness (1)
- Healing (15)
- Health (2)
- History (13)
- Home (4)
- Hope (30)
- Hospitality (3)
- Identity (5)
- Imagination (2)
- Immanence (1)
- Inclusion (10)
- Integrity (6)
- Interdependence (12)
- Intimacy (1)
- Journey (8)
- Joy (8)
- Justice (12)
- Kindness (2)
- Leadership (13)
- Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer (5)
- Letting Go (9)
- Listening (2)
- Living Our Faith (6)
- Love (26)
- Meaning (6)
- Men (1)
- Military (3)
- Mindfulness (2)
- Ministry (4)
- Mothers (3)
- Multiculturalism (1)
- Mystery (8)
- Nature (26)
- Oppression (2)
- Pain (1)
- Parents (4)
- Patience (2)
- Peace (8)
- Personal Stories (2)
- Playfulness (4)
- Power (7)
- Presence (5)
- Privilege (2)
- Purpose (15)
- Race/Ethnicity (2)
- Reconciliation (3)
- Regret (1)
- Relationships (20)
- Responsibility (9)
- Revelation (1)
- Reverence (4)
- Rights (1)
- Sacred (9)
- Sacrifice (3)
- Sadness (1)
- Salvation (1)
- Searching (7)
- Self-Care (1)
- Self-Respect (1)
- Service (9)
- Shadow (1)
- Solidarity (2)
- Sorrow (4)
- Spirituality (4)
- Spiritual Practice (2)
- Spring (5)
- Stewardship (3)
- Strength (8)
- Suffering (2)
- Teamwork (7)
- Tradition (12)
- Transcendence (3)
- Transformation (10)
- Trauma (1)
- Trust (3)
- Truth (7)
- Unity (9)
- Violence (1)
- Vision (9)
- Vulnerability (2)
- War (2)
- Wholeness (6)
- Winter (9)
- Wisdom (3)
- Women (2)
- Wonder (8)
- Work (8)
- Worry (1)
- Worth (3)
- Young Adults (2)
- Youth/Teens (1)
- Aaron Stockwell Wisman (1)
- Adena Dannouf (1)
- Alexis Capen (1)
- Alice Berry (1)
- Alix Klingenberg (1)
- Amy Bowden Freedman (2)
- Amy Brooks (1)
- Amy Zucker Morgenstern (1)
- Andrea Hawkins-Kamper (1)
- Annie Foerster (1)
- Ariel Hunt-Brondwin (1)
- Arlen Goff (1)
- Barbara Cheatham (1)
- Barbara Hamilton-Holway (1)
- Becky Brooks (1)
- Ben Ogilvie (1)
- Ben Soule (2)
- B Leslie Koons (1)
- Celia Thurston (1)
- Charles A. Howe (1)
- Charles F Flagg (3)
- Christian Schmidt (4)
- Christina Shu (1)
- Chrystal Hogan (1)
- Claudene (Deane) Oliva (1)
- Connie Simon (1)
- Cynthia Landrum (2)
- Daniel Chesney Kanter (1)
- Dan Lambert (1)
- David Breeden (1)
- David Ensley (1)
- DC Fortune (1)
- Debra Burrell (1)
- Debra Haffner (1)
- Dillman Baker Sorrells (1)
- Douglas Taylor (1)
- Elena Westbrook (1)
- Elizabeth Mount (2)
- Elizabeth M Strong (1)
- Emily Richards (1)
- Erika Hewitt (3)
- Erik Walker Wikstrom (1)
- Everett Howe (1)
- Evin Carvill Ziemer (1)
- Florence Caplow (3)
- Gary Kowalski (1)
- George G Brooks (1)
- Gina Whitaker (1)
- Gregory Pelley (1)
- Greg Ward (1)
- Gretchen Haley (2)
- Hannah Roberts Villnave (1)
- Heather K Janules (1)
- Ian W. Riddell (2)
- Jamie Dorer (1)
- Jane Altman Page (1)
- Janet Parsons (1)
- Jason Cook (1)
- Jean L Wahlstrom (1)
- Jeanne Lloyd (1)
- JeKaren Olaoya (1)
- Jennifer Kitchen (1)
- Jennifer McGlothin (1)
- Joanna Lubkin (1)
- Jo VonRue (1)
- Jules Jaramillo (1)
- Karen G. Johnston (1)
- Kate McPhee (1)
- Katie Romano Griffin (1)
- Katie Sivani Gelfand (3)
- Kendyl L. R. Gibbons (2)
- Kimberlee Anne Tomczak Carlson (1)
- Kristin Grassel Schmidt (1)
- Laura Horton-Ludwig (1)
- Laura Wallace (1)
- Leah Ongiri (1)
- Lenny Scovel (1)
- Leslie Takahashi (1)
- Li Kynvi (1)
- Linda Hart (2)
- Linda lee Franson (1)
- Lindasusan Ulrich (1)
- Lisa Doege (2)
- Lois Van Leer (3)
- Loraine Bottorff McNeill (1)
- Lori Gorgas Hlaban (1)
- Lyn Cox (2)
- Lynn Harrison (1)
- Margaret A Keip (1)
- Martha Kirby Capo (1)
- Martina Thompson (1)
- Mary J Harrington (1)
- Mary Shelden (1)
- Maureen Killoran (5)
- Megan Visser (1)
- Melanie Davis (1)
- Michael J. Tino (1)
- Mira Mickiewicz (1)
- Molly Housh Gordon (1)
- Myke Johnson (1)
- Nathan Ryan (1)
- Nick Wilbourn (2)
- Otto O’Connor (1)
- Patricia Shelden (1)
- Paul Vachon (1)
- Peggy Clarke (1)
- Peter Friedrichs (1)
- Peter S. Raible (1)
- Peter Scott Lee (1)
- Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs (1)
- Quinn G. Caldwell (1)
- Rachael Hayes (1)
- Rachel Rott (1)
- Raquel V. Reyes (2)
- Rebecca Pankhurst (1)
- Renee Ruchotzke (1)
- Rev. Molly Brewer (1)
- S. William Feiss (1)
- Sara Eileen LaWall (1)
- Sarah Gettie McNeill (1)
- Selena Fox (1)
- Shari Woodbury (4)
- Sharon Wylie (5)
- Sylvia L Howe (1)
- Tamara Lebak (1)
- Tera Little (1)
- Thomas Rhodes (1)
- Tracy Bleakney (1)
- Vanessa Rush Southern (1)
- Viola Abbitt (1)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 166
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We pause on this night of mystery, to tell the stories, to sing the songs, and to bring more light into the world.Chalice Lighting | By Linda Hart | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Christmas Eve / Christmas, Mystery, Peace, Personal Stories, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Pause here, and be renewed and restored.Opening | By Linda Hart | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Journey, Self-Care, WorshipWeb, Worship
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We light this chalice, here in the darkness of winter as we wait.Chalice Lighting | By JeKaren Olaoya | December 13, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christmas Eve / Christmas, Earth, Earth-Centered, Nature, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Let us open all our senses and let our synapses spark one connection after another.Welcome | By Shari Woodbury | December 12, 2023 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Birth, Child Dedication, Children, Connections, Joy, Playfulness, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Darkness is as important as light.Opening | By Jo VonRue | December 27, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Direct Experience, Imagination, Nature, Winter, Winter Solstice / Yule, Wonder, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Speaking from the heart can turn an ordinary meeting into a rewarding one.Chalice Lighting | By Ben Ogilvie | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Business Meetings, Connections, Covenant, Relationships, Teamwork, Unitarian Universalism, Work, WorshipWeb, Worship
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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 WorshipWebTagged as: Children's / Religious Education Sunday, Children's Sabbath, WorshipWeb, Worship
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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 WorshipWebTagged as: Christianity, Communion (Christian), God, Love
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We gather to honor our covenant and engage in congregational life.Chalice Lighting | By Emily Richards | October 18, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Business Meetings, Character, Democracy, Leadership, Purpose, Work
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Breathe in us, with us, and through us as we gather—one in community.Invocation | By Kristin Grassel Schmidt | September 22, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Awe, Earth-Centered, Judaism, Nature, Rosh Hashanah, Unity, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Can we find space for lifting our heads in wonder—that we’re still striving, still trying togetherChalice Lighting | By Li Kynvi | August 10, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Business Meetings, Commitment, Community, Faith, Hope, Identity, Living Our Faith, Purpose, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
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We tend the spark of imagination and hope for the world to come.Chalice Lighting | By Rachael Hayes | February 25, 2022 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Business Meetings, Discernment, Generations, Humanism, Leadership, Purpose, Stewardship, Unitarian Universalism, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Help us to see that for the smallest, the humblest, the least of these burns the brightest star.Chalice Lighting | By Mary Shelden | October 28, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Advent, Christianity, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Watershed moments are turning points, moments that permanently alter an understanding.Opening | By Martina Thompson | August 5, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Earth-Centered, Nature, Unitarian Universalism, Water Communion, WorshipWeb, Worship
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We cannot begin to find ourselves without love.Opening | By Elizabeth Mount | April 12, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Body, Children, Connections, Father's Day, Humanism, Interdependence, Love, Mother's Day, Parents, Relationships, Secular, Trust, WorshipWeb, Worship
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Easter is a holiday of miracles.Opening | By Peggy Clarke | March 31, 2021 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Belief, Christianity, Easter, Hope, Love, Nature, WorshipWeb, Worship
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May today bring forth transformation in ourselves—from grief, healing; from memory, wholeness; and from celebration, love.Chalice Lighting | By Mira Mickiewicz | November 10, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Memorial Services, Remembrance Day, WorshipWeb, Worship
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We light this chalice to kindle a flame of warmth as a reminder of the connection that draws us in to a community that opens us up.Chalice Lighting | By Amy Brooks | October 14, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: #COVID19, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Solstice / Yule, WorshipWeb, Worship
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May this chalice light guide us toward the courageous and openhearted apology, toward repair of relationships in our lives.Chalice Lighting | By Joanna Lubkin | October 1, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Forgiveness, Judaism, Relationships, Sacred, Yom Kippur, WorshipWeb, Worship
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We are held by the great Book of Life, in which it is written that we will inevitably face deprivation and discomfort. Each among us must contemplate our own place in it all.Opening | By Leah Ongiri | September 15, 2020 | From WorshipWebTagged as: Judaism, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, WorshipWeb, Worship