Sunday morning is the time when friends and members of UU Wellesley Hills pause from workaday life and gather as a faith community. We worship together in the Sanctuary and connect afterwards at Fellowship Hour in Parish Hall. Communal services nourish our spirits, our minds, and our senses. For those unable to join in person, services are live streamed, and a Fellowship Hour is held on Zoom.
Although services vary from week to week, several elements are regularly included. Musical selections shape the hour, with opening and closing keyboard pieces, choir offerings that fit the week’s theme, and communal hymn singing. The minister and worship associate offer spoken words, including a welcome and community announcements, readings, a “story for all ages” or other reflection, an invitation into a time of contemplation, and a thought-provoking sermon about the theme. Some language is repeated weekly as part of the liturgy, such as words for lighting the chalice on the altar (a symbol of our commitment to religious pluralism and humanitarian values), introduction of the social action plate collection, and the invitation to light candles as part of creating a “circle of joys or concerns.”
A sample order of a recent Sunday service can be found HERE. The subject of the week’s service is announced in the Weekly Update newsletter on Thursdays. Our Unitarian Universalist worship is rich in tradition but open to the new. We like to think that our services appeal to those who welcome all sorts of spiritual promptings.
Here at UU Wellesley Hills, we use theme-based ministry through the Soul Matters program, a Unitarian Universalist initiative used by over 145 congregations. Our 2024-2025 annual theme is “The Practices of Our Faith.” The monthly topics are also explored by small groups.
Our Worship Arts Team helps with worship throughout the year. Volunteers are always welcome to join the team; contact our minister if you are interested.