Worship
We gather together in spiritual community because we need constant reminders of what matters most in life. In a world of heartbreak and dehumanization, our congregations and communities call us to our better selves. We learn to live with more wisdom, more connection, and more compassion.
Our Worship Services are weekly reflections that weave together our own thoughts and experiences with music, beauty, poetry, and words that both comfort and challenge. Our programs for all ages inspire us, and awaken us to our capacities to make a difference in our own lives and in the world.
We are inspired not just by religious sources but by the people with whom we journey: the diverse and spirited Unitarian Universalists.
What to Expect in Worship
We have Meditation at 8:15am and Traditional Service at 10:00 every Sunday. This is our major gathering in which we renew our covenants with one another and lift up our values and aspirations. We gather in worship to find meaning and live more deeply. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.
Unitarian Universalist worship styles vary by congregation, and even within congregations. Some congregations’ worship is contemporary and high tech. Some congregations’ worship is traditional and formal. Some features exuberant music, some includes long periods of silent reflection. Our congregation’s worship varies according to the theme of service; sometimes traditional, sometimes innovative and creative.
Elements of a typical Unitarian Universalist Sunday morning worship service include:
Words of welcome
Lighting the chalice, the symbol of our faith
A multigenerational segment, such as a “story for all ages”
Music, both instrumental and vocal and in a variety of styles
A time for lifting up the joys and sorrows of the congregation
A meditation or prayer
Readings—ancient or contemporary
A sermon given by a professional minister, a guest speaker, or a member of the congregation
An offering, collecting financial donations for the congregation or for justice work in the community. Each Sunday, we split the non-designated cash donations with a local social justice agency that reflects our values for a just and equitable community.
From time to time, worships incorporate holiday celebrations, multigenerational plays and pageants, longer musical performances, child dedications, and coming-of-age ceremonies. We offer childcare and learning programs for children and youth during the Sunday service.