What to Expect in Worship
Please note that masks are required during services at this time. Find more information about entrances, location, and accessibility here.
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.
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At Sunday morning worship, everyone is welcome to participate as much or as little as you 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.)
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 is reflective, with roots in liberal Protestant Christianity, and increasingly drawing on a diversity of wisdom sources and spiritual practices
Worship is led by our Minister, Rev. Elizabeth Bukey Saunter, by visiting UU ministers, and by members of the congregation. They are joined by our Music Director, Andrei Baumann, 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.
Because Unitarian Universalism welcomes and celebrates diversity, our worship services can be very different from one another. However, most will include the following elements:
- 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,” given by our minister, Rev. Elizabeth Bukey Saunter, a guest minister, or a member of the congregation (watch past sermons here)
- 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
From time to time, worship services incorporate holiday celebrations, multigenerational skits, longer musical performances, child dedications, and coming-of-age ceremonies.
For a list of the upcoming services and topics, please see the upcoming services page.