UUCOP HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS

Water Communion – August-September

Since 1980’s many UU congregations have celebrated a water communion.  Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources.

Indigenous Peoples Day – October

“Indigenous Peoples Day” reimagines Columbus Day, changing a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about the genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples in the Americas, to organize against current injustices, and to celebrate indigenous resistance.

Thanksgiving — November

Our Thanksgiving service includes themes of gratitude for loved community by breaking bread together, usually with a potluck meal.

Winter Solstice (Yule) – December

Winter solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Traditionally, it is a time of both foreboding and expectancy, as the longest night leads to the return of the sun. “Solstice” in Latin means “the sun standing still.” We celebrate with themes of light amid darkness, the dormancy of nature, and the cycle of life. We honor the rest and rejuvenation that the dark can bring.

Earth Day – April

Unitarian Universalists value interdependence. One of our values reads: We honor, protect, and heal the interdependent web of all existence. Themes include earth-centered spirituality, connecting to the divine through nature, caretaking of the environment, and the interdependent web of life.

Memorial Day – May

We open our summer season with an outdoor potluck picnic, music, and conversation. It is also a time to honor those who have died in our wars. 

Flower Communion – May or June

American Unitarian-Universalists have celebrated the Flower Ceremony since 1940 when it was started in Prague. Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation blesses our flowers, and they’re redistributed. Each person takes home a different flower than the one they brought.

Freedom Picnic – July

We celebrate Independence Day with an outdoor potluck picnic.