The Rev. E.B. leads worship in the church sanctuary.The Rev. E.B. leads worship in the church sanctuary.

Worship

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.

Worship is the shared spiritual practice of our faith community.

We gather in worship to center in the Love that holds us all, just as we are, and which calls us forward to greater wholeness, compassion, and integrity.

We look forward to meeting you! Join us Sundays at 1 1 a.m. at 6 Eliot Street. Find information about entrances, location, and accessibility here.

Honoring What’s Important

As Unitarian Universalists are fond of pointing out, the word “worship” comes from an old English word meaning “worthiness.” We gather in “worthship” to honor what is most important in our lives together: the care of our community, the growth of our compassion, the love that connects all of existence in an interdependent web. In a world of heartbreak and dehumanization, our congregations and communities call us to our better selves.

Our weekly worship service is a time for reflection, weaving together our thoughts and experiences with music, beauty, poetry, and words of comfort and challenge.

Our minister, Rev. Elizabeth Bukey Saunter, leads worship most Sundays. She writes: “I deeply love crafting and leading worship that is unashamedly spiritual, while also integrating the best of ‘secular’ wisdom on leading lives of joy, health, and integrity. I value creativity, informality, and participation in worship, incorporating ritual, reimagining old traditions, and retelling religious stories.”

What to Expect in Worship

At Sunday morning worship, everyone is welcome to participate as much or as little as they like in all aspects of our time together.

Worship lasts about an hour and ten minutes.

Congregational songs are in the hymnals, printed in the Order of Service, and/or taught by call-and-response; all are encouraged to sing enthusiastically, whatever your musical background or ability.

You may quietly light a candle of joy, sorrow, prayer, celebration, or memory during the service. The prelude and the song “Spirit of Life” are good times for this.

Parents / guardians: your whole family is welcome to remain in worship the whole time if that’s best for you. There is also childcare available in the Morse Room (through the door at the front, to the left, and up a few stairs).

Worship is led by our Minister, Rev. EB, by visiting UU ministers, and by members of the congregation. They are joined by our Music Director, Andrei B., on piano, and by members of the congregation who volunteer to read, to greet the congregation, or sometimes to create and deliver their own reflections.

A typical service includes:
  • Words of welcome
  • Lighting a flaming chalice, the symbol of our faith
  • We sing often! Usually simple, a capella songs or hymns accompanied on piano
  • A short “interactive message” or story meant to be especially interesting to children
  • Instrumental music, usually on the piano.
  • Readings and reflections, sometimes from the Christian and Hebrew scriptures
  • A short sermon or “reflection”
  • A “Common Prayer,” said in unison, sometimes including versions of the Christian Lord’s Prayer
  • Community prayer out loud and silent time for personal prayer and meditation
  • An offering, collecting financial donations for the congregation or for justice work in the community
Upcoming Services →
a woman and child lighting a candle for the chalice
church members sprinkle fellow members with water from plant cuttings at a recent service in the church sanctuary
Rev. E.B. and Albert during the blessing of the animals service.
Rev.E.B.
Members line up during service in the First Church JP sanctuary.