Worship Services

Today you’ll see images of the “flaming chalice” in everything from stained glass to tattoos. UUFA has a beautiful, sculptural chalice with a central oil lamp, and we light it early in worship each week.  Worship starts at 10:30 a.m.

Our services usually follow a pattern that reflects our roots in American Protestantism. We sing hymns, hear a story, often meditate on or pray for the joys and sorrows of the world and our congregation. There’s usually a sermon by the minister, and sometimes lay people speak from their hearts instead.

A unique element for Unitarian Universalists is the lighting of the chalice. This potent symbol entered our faith tradition during WWII when Unitarians were active in humanitarian rescue work in the midst of the war. Untold numbers of humans were saved by the efforts of the Unitarian Service Committee (and you can see a Ken Burns documentary about it, called “Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War” on PBS).

Children of all ages are always welcome in worship.

Some people like to wear their Sunday best, and others prefer jeans or shorts and sandals. Please dress in whatever feels comfortable and helps you feel authentically you.

Sunday services last roughly an hour, though a particular service may be slightly shorter or longer. We aim to start on time, at 10:30 am.

Yes! As people who learn from and love many religious traditions, we celebrate many holidays and holy days throughout the year. Our ingathering service at the end of summer includes a Unitarian Universalist Water Communion in which we pour water into a common bowl to “reconstitute the community” for the new Church year.

We have a century-long tradition of a Flower Communion in the spring, too. There’s always a deeply moving musical service to celebrate Winter Solstice, and a candlelight Christmas Eve service with some traditional carols and a few new ones. On Easter we interpret the “old, old story” from a fresh point of view. 

Throughout the year we celebrate holidays from Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and other religious traditions, as well as cultural holidays such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Earth Day, Veterans Day, and so on.

The word “worship” literally means “to lift up things of worth.” Because we don’t have a creed (a set of beliefs which all members must accept), we lift up what is most important to us—our shared values. Together we seek answers to life’s most difficult questions, learn how to be better people, remind ourselves of our highest aspirations, and learn from each other and from various faith traditions. We do not collectively worship God though some Unitarian Universalists do. When we’re together, we respect and incorporate a variety of ideas and names for The Holy Mystery.

If you have other questions or concerns about worship at UUFA, please contact the minister. We look forward to seeing you in worship and hearing from you, too.