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Sunday services start at 10:30am
Sunday morning worship is one
moment in the week when we gather together as a Beloved
Community. It is often a transformative moment,
reminding us of our connections to each other and to all
of life. Ours is a diverse community. We come together
holding a variety of differing beliefs. And yet, the
worship service provides a focal point and regular
inspiration for our lives.
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WHAT HAPPENS
IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICES? |
Although Unitarian worship services tend
to be less liturgical and ritual-based than those in
many traditional churches, our services do contain a
number of common elements which move the gathered
community through an hour-long experience of centering,
reflecting and returning. These common elements are:
Gathering Music - a time to enter
quietly into the spirit of community in preparation for
worship
Welcome and Announcements – welcome
and information about the ongoing life and events within
the community
Opening Words or Invocation – begin
the service poetically and name our purpose in gathering
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Chalice
Lighting The flaming chalice is
the most widely used Unitarian Universalist symbol.
While its origins are varied, it has come to
symbolize the flame of religious freedom in the cup
of love and acceptance for all. We light the chalice
to begin the service, to call the community together
and to signal our readiness to begin worship.
History of The Flaming Chalice |
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Hymns
Singing is a joyous form of
self-expression. Blending our voices together
reminds us that we are not alone. We sing to awaken
our spiritual life and energy, and to praise
creation. .
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Story
Our stories are for everyone.
They allow children, youth and adults alike to
explore the morning's message from another point
of view. After the story, we sing to the children
as they leave for further exploration in our
Relgious Education Program |
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Meditation
With music, words, silence
and the opportunity to light candles, congregants
participate in a time of reflection and
prayer. |
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Readings – chosen to highlight a question, thought
or idea that is further explored in the sermon |
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Musical Offerings – are for many the emotional
heart of the service, speaking to our deepest
needs and longings, expressing our most sublime
hopes and dreams. Our worship features a great
diversity of musical styles and selections, many
of them offered by volunteers.
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Sermon
The sermon is designed to be the inspirational
centrepiece of the service, blending elements from
music, story, song, readings and prayer into one
coherent message. For many Unitarians, the sermon
helps to put “life through the fire of thought.”
(Unitarian minister and essayist Ralph Waldo
Emerson) At its best, the sermon is the core element
in the transformative experience that the service is
creating |
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Offertory |
Unitarian Universalist
congregations are all self-supporting. The ministries,
programs, worship and outreach of the congregation
depend upon the tangible contributions of its members
and friends. Supporters of the church’s Vision transform
their gifts into ministry by the act of giving. Many
members pledge monthly or yearly to support the church’s
ministries, but the weekly collection is an important
act of generosity on the part of all who attend.
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Closing Words |
A reminder to live the coming days
in the spirit of our Unitarian Universalist Faith, with
truth, service, justice, acceptance and love as our
touchstones |
