Upcoming Worship Services
DECEMBER 2025 – Choosing Hope
Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 10:30am
“Why We Say ‘Worship’ and Engage Other Christian Practices” (A Christmas “Unboxing Day” Worship Service)
There are certain Christian words and practices that make many UUs cringe. Yet, they continue to be part of UU religious spaces. Together, let’s explore why that might be. And let’s do it in a fun and open way by combining it, making part of our Christmas “Unboxing” come together to celebrate and unwrap the gift of Christmas. Families with youths and young children are especially welcome to this service.
Worship Leader: Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 6pm
“Winter Solstice Celebration Service”
Through songs, poems, stories, and more, we celebrate the longest night of the year and our hope for the returning light of the sun.
Worship Leaders: Mystic Grove
Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 6pm
“Blue Christmas Worship Service”
Come as you are to 1U’s Blue Christmas Service on Zoom. We recognize that the holiday season can be a sad and difficult time for some. We want to acknowledge this and make room for it, for you, if this is your story. So, we invite you to come and be in a reflective space for the holding of your spirit without the trappings of commercialism. As so moved, we will sing, meditate, and reflect in a warm and supportive setting. Come co-create this supportive and loving space with us.
Worship Leader: Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 6pm
“Let Us Be Kind, and Be Generous With our Assumptions: A Christmas Eve Service”
Let’s come together and celebrate the Christmas holiday. Please bring cookies to share for refreshments after the service.
Worship Leader: Rev. Margalie Belizaire
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Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 8:00pm
“Let Us Be Kind, and Be Generous With our Assumptions: A Christmas Eve Service”
Let’s come together and celebrate the Christmas holiday. Please bring cookies to share for refreshments after the service.
Worship Leader: Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 10:30am
“Becoming on Purpose”
As the year draws to a close, we often think about resolutions and self-improvement. But what if we saw our daily habits and rituals not as ways to “fix” ourselves, but as spiritual practices that help us grow into who we are meant to be? This Sunday’s reflection, “Becoming on Purpose,” invites us to look at the quiet power of everyday choices. Let’s explore gratitude, movement, kindness, and service as rituals of becoming. After all, as Aristotle reminds us, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
Worship Leader: Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
JANUARY 2026 – Practicing Resistance
Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 10:30am
“The Radical Resistance of Joy“
Through human history, communities have faced endless hardships. From war to famine, prejudice, and hegemonic leadership, none of what we are facing today is new under the sun. The beauty of this hard truth is that we can rely on our ancestors to guide us in what resistance and resilience entail. One of the great examples from our forbearers is their powerful acts of choosing joy, come what may. Join Dr. Laura McGuire as we discuss joy as a radical act of resistance for the start of 2026.
Worship Leader – Dr. Laura Maguire
Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 10:30am
“Let Go, Get Grounded, Reach Out – Annual Stations Service” (Intergenerational)
Come, come as you are, to a ritual for All Ages. So often in our lives, we rush headlong into the next thing on our to-do list. In this second service of the calendar year, let’s create sacred space with one another, slow down long enough to let go of that which no longer serves us, plant seeds of intention to grow in the new year, bless each other, and imagine ways we can reach out to continue to grow together.
Worship Leader: Judith Stein-Farrall
Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 10:30am
“We’re in this Together”
We, as humans, need one another to survive. Now, more than ever, we need to build support networks in our communities to help one another face the struggles in our world. Rev. Dr. Tracie Barrett will discuss how mutual aid networks are vital.
Worship Leader: Rev. Tracie Barrett
Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:30am
“All-Music Sunday at First Unitarian!“
Join us for a joyful celebration of music and community as we fill the sanctuary with sound! This special service features the many talented musicians of our congregation, along with special guest artists. From solos to ensembles, experience the spirit of Unitarian Universalism through the universal language of music.
Worship Leader: Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 5:30pm
“Imbolc Celebration”
Worship Leaders: Mystic Grove CUUPs
Location: Gore Hall
FEBRUARY 2026 – Embodying Resilience
Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 10:30am
“Animal Blessing Worship Service”
Come and bring your furry beloveds with you. Let us all be in the presence of these wonderful creatures who bring so much love into our lives. Let us be thankful and grateful for that and for them. *Bring your pet(s) or a picture of them.
Worship Leader: Judith Stein-Farrall
Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 10:30am
“Embracing Every Body: Fat is Not a 4-Letter Word – A ‘We Talk About Bruno’ Worship Service.”
A child once asked a parent to “cut the heavy” off a piece of steak, because the word fat was not allowed to be spoken in that home. In a world that celebrates individuality, people in larger bodies are still too often told they must change to be worthy of love, respect, or belonging, because fat equals lazy, unhealthy, and unattractive. This Sunday, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person by exploring the principles of fat liberation: body acceptance, justice, and radical self-love. Together, we’ll celebrate all bodies as sacred and challenge the systems that tell us otherwise. Part of the “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” sermon series.
Worship Leader: Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 10:30am
“One Last Sermon”
Bill Schulz, former President of the UUA (1985-93); Executive Director of Amnesty International USA (1994-2006); Professor of Preaching and Public Ethics at the UU seminary in Chicago (2010-20); and President of the UU Service Committee (2010-16), was ordained to the UU ministry just over fifty years ago. In this sermon, Bill will reflect on some of what he’s learned over the last fifty years. After the service, he will be available to sign his latest book, Reversing the Rivers: A Memoir of History, Hope and Human Rights, which includes many stories from his years of leadership in the human rights movement.
Worship Leaders: Rev. Dr. William Schulz, Rev. Margalie Belizaire
Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 10:30am
“Sermon on aMount”
It is time to recommit financially, as you are able, to our 1U community. Let us show up fully and intentionally for this community that gives so much to us.
Worship Leader: Rev. Marni Harmony
MARCH 2026 – Paying Attention
Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 10:30am
Worship Leader: Dr. Joel Hunter
Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 10:30am
“Attending to the Heart”
Journey from head to heart to hold hope and peace closely in these challenging times.
Worship Leader: Linnea Nelson
Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 10:30am
“Lessons from Youth Camp”
Rev. Tracie has served as a chaplain at UU Youth Camp the past few years. She brings us the lessons she has learned from time spent with middle and high schoolers as well as the young adults who have grown up through the camp experience. For the future of our faith, these lessons should be heeded.
Worship Leader: Rev. Tracie Barrett
Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 5:30pm, Gore Hall
“Ostara / Spring Equinox Celebration”
Worship Leaders: Mystic Grove CUUPs
Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 10:30am
Title: Pending
Worship Leader: 1U Youth Group
Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 10:30am
“Entering With Intention”
On this Palm Sunday, Rev. Tracie explores how the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem for Passover can teach us how we should enter with intention to deal with Empire.
Worship Leader: Rev. Tracie Barrett
APRIL 2026 – Embracing Possiblity
Friday, April 3, 2026, at 7:30pm
“Tenebrae Service”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Tenebrae is a religious service of Western Christianity held during the three days preceding Easter Day, and characterized by gradual extinguishing of candles, and by a “strepitus” or “loud noise” taking place in total darkness near the end of the service.
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Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 10:30am
“Easter Worship Service“
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 10:30am
“Earth Day Worship Service”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire and Green Team
MAY 2026 – Awakening Curiousity
Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 5:30pm
“Beltane Ritual”
Worship Leaders: Mystic Grove CUUPs
Location: Gore Hall
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Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 10:30am
“The RE Service and Child Dedication”
Worship Leaders: Judith Stein-Farrall / RE Committee / Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
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Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 10:30am
“New Member Ritual & Mother’s Day”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
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Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 10:30am
Let’s Talk About Bruno Worship Service
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
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JUNE 2026
Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 10:30am
“Flower Communion Worship Service”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Come… Let us engage in our flower communion ritual in an intentional way and in the name of freedom in a time where that seems scarce. And don’t forget to bring flowers to commune with those that others bring.
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Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 10:30am
“Volunteer Appreciation & Inverse Water Communion Service”
Worship Leaders: Rev. Margalie Belizaire / Judith Stein-Farrall / Aubrey Connelly-Candelario
Come be celebrated for all that you do and how you give freely. 1U doesn’t happen without you. So come and be celebrated.