The following ritual—which could be used to honor a congregation's founders—is used at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines (IA) to honor decade(s) membership anniversaries. Those celebrating 10, 20, 30, etc. years of membership are invited on stage, given a rose for each decade of membership,...
In a free religious community, to serve is the highest expression of our commitment and love. To be asked to lead is the highest honor. This morning, the members of [your congregation] you have chosen to lead you in the coming year stand before you....
Introduction The Cornbread and Cider Communion is a tradition in some of our congregations. With gratitude for our freedom and for our abundance, let us celebrate this ritual today mindful of Syrian and other refugees who are unable to go home, those for whom we pray safe passage and a welcoming...
This name now symbolizes all that you truly are and are becoming.
This ritual was designed as part of a worship service/fire communion. Please see that holiday description for more details. Leader: Today’s service is about letting go, metaphoric cleansing and quenching of thirst, setting of intentions, self-anointing, healing, new beginnings and possibilities.
We’re going to let go of what we don’t need for this season of our lives.
This two-part ritual, inspired by the disability justice concept of spoon theory, includes a litany of things that can “take spoons away” from people. Part of the WorshipWeb collection “Worth and Dignity of All Bodies.”
Recorded music (e.g., Mozart's Requiem; Arvo Pårt's Lamentate) will be playing as the background. Spoken introduction as people prepare to walk in silence: Let us open our minds and hearts to the power of healing that is in us and in the world around us....
This ritual begins by lighting a candle from the chalice, and placing it in position. A list of supplies is at the end of this resource. One: Fire. Source of warmth and life for our ancestors; and for humans still today....
This glitter that we share with each other today is a reminder that each of us is beautiful in our sacred imperfection, our ever-changing selves, our glorious plurality.
Today, we honor a journey that some of our youth have been on to mindfully enter the next phase of their lives… this is ultimately a time when we have invited them to think specifically about their own path.
During your congregation’s water ceremony, UUs for Justice in the Middle East invite you to place an empty paper cup next to the congregational vessel in solidarity with Palestinians.
A ritual for honoring and remembering beloved ancestors and the recently departed, with roots in both the Christian and Pagan traditions.
This liturgy is for a ritual where the members of the congregation each bring to the service a meaningful book they would like to give away, and each member takes home a book that someone else has brought.
Each week until Christmas, we light a new candle on the Advent wreath, a circle of evergreens.
This ritual was used as a Time for All Ages on Valentine's Day, but could be used on any number of Sundays—whether there are children and youth present or not. Although the spoken roles here are named as Minister and Religious Educator, any two (or more) worship leaders could facilitate this...
You are sacred, and that energy runs through your hands, through the hands of all Unitarian Universalists. You are part of that interdependent network.
I am afraid and exhausted from the constant fear. I don’t know who to trust for information about the virus.
Writing in a book—a hardback book! with pen!—goes against everything we’ve been taught, but now is the time to do it.
May we know that the infinite web of life and love holds us all and holds all the stories.
May you feel the freedom to stretch fully into your most true self.
Today we celebrate the new name that reflects a truth long-hidden, now revealed.
Let us bless these candles with our tender hopes for the coming year.
A script for commissioning an affiliated community minister.
The oldest stories tell us we came from the dust, and to dust we will return. But dirt? That’s different. Dust is fine, often even sterile. Dirt, on the other hand, is made up of messier stuff.
This ritual is written for a congregation to bless a Black Lives Matter banner and raise it on their church building. It could easily be adapted for rededication of a banner, or for other banners that a congregation might display on their building to declare their values.
The water of tears, the water of cleansing and renewal, the water of nourishment, and the water of change.
A water communion liturgy that asks that we listen for God’s voice in the waters.
This is a ritual of caring for one another, couched in terms of struggle and hope.
Many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations follow an annual Ingathering tradition on the first Sunday after Labor Day that includes a Water Communion/Ceremony ritual. Specific traditions vary widely, but often they include introductory remarks, a time for reflection, a sharing of water that...
This hands-on ritual could be used to celebrate Earth Day, a Solstice, or an Equinox. Before the service begins, set up a table or two (or more) with several stations for people to plant seeds....
O One, for whom words to describe are always inadequate, we give thanks that you may be often found in the most common, the most basic of human experience. Particularly we give thanks for the common meal: that which has sustained us as individuals, as families and as faith communities. Among the...
We give you thanks, O God, for all that is good and kind and just. For all the wonders of nature that speak of your continuing divine presence: the sunrise and sunset, the rainbow, the waterfall, the roaring ocean and the quiet stream, the majestic mountain peak and the serene desert. We give you...
O God, we give thanks this day and every day for all you have made known to us through the life of Jesus. Glory to you throughout the ages. We give thanks for all the knowledge, faith and hope that is implanted in our hearts by the teachings of Jesus, whom you sent to us, and spiritually remains...
Seeds, scattered on fertile ground, are warmed by the sun and fed by the soil. They sprout and grow, producing great fields of grain. The grain is harvested and ground into flour and shipped across the nation....
Formed in your mother’s womb, these precious hands, which have been scraped, bent, worn down, and maybe even broken, are yet perfect in the Divine’s eyes. Bless these hands, for they bring comfort to those so in need of comforting. Bless these hands, for they nurture and care for those unable to...
Written during the February 2014 Teacher Development Renaissance Module, Pacific Southwest Liberal Religious Educator Association (LREDA) chapter. Minister: This morning we dedicate our Religious Education teachers who have been called to minister to our children, to our future. Without them to...
This simple ritual provides a quiet time during our Sunday service. We set up a small table at the front of the dais. There is a large bowl partially filled with water in the center of the table. On either side is a smaller bowl filled with pebbles that feel nice in the hand....
[sing Holy Waters] We bring waters from the four directions. Water from the north, from icy seas and frozen lands, water that commingles and is part of the water of the globe. Bless these waters, that they may be healing waters. May the waters make us new....
With faithful progress, The Great Sun has traveled, From north to south again, And on this day pauses. So we also stand still, With the whole Earth, In quiet thankfulness, To the Source of Blessing, The Giver of All Light.
Sample Teacher Dedication Ceremonies Religious Educator(s) From Liz Jones, Religious Educator, First UU Church, San Diego, CA: This morning we wish to thank you for your commitment to this church, to our values, and especially to our children. You have accepted the responsibility of helping our...
President: We at ______ welcome you as new members of our community this morning. You have come to worship, play, work and grow among us. Ours is a free fellowship; we have no creeds and you are free to bring your ideas and beliefs to this fellowship to share with others....
The human breath rushed through an animal’s horn Once it was common Regularly echoing off sheep strewn hillsides, Ordinary as a bit of sparkle on a rain washed city sidewalk Now it calls from a distant past “Does anybody here know the right way to blow this thing?” The right way to blow a...
The children being dedicated will take a walk around the sanctuary. Different church members and older children present in the pews will offer objects that will become a part of the child throughout the poem....
Today we are recognizing those in the congregation who have recently retired or are about to retire. The transition from an active work life to retirement is an important life transition....
Minister: Today, we welcome into our community these new members, who have chosen to make a commitment to this congregation by signing our Membership Book....
Once a month we have an adult and a child lead a multigenerational part of the service called, “Living the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Principles.” The adult and child are chosen ahead of time so they can prepare the words they will say. We do a different principle every month, from October to...
Opening words (by Tess Baumberger) Reader 1: There will be a brightness to this day Even if there be but cloud and rain outdoors. Reader 2: The brightness of this day comes from within, From this gladly gathered company....
